Lion ’s mane mushroom ( Hericium genus Erinaceus ) are unlike anything else in the mushroom-shaped cloud human beings , with their unbelievable cascading , icicle - similar shape . In the wild , it can almost look like red coral escaped the sea and latched onto a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Beyond its unusual visual aspect lie a delectable treat , with a sweet , meaty crab - same spirit .
uprise lion ’s mane mushrooms at home has become more democratic in recent twelvemonth , with improved strains popping up all clip , and for a good reasonableness . Not only do they smack lovely , but they have valuable medicinal properties , too . Right now , they are being studied for their ability to forbid dementia and relieve anxiousness . There ’s also evidence they can help oneself protect your heart and deal diabetes .
While they might be a act intriguing for mushroom cloud freshman , they ’re not the most difficult mushroom to spring up , and you could have your own mess thriving in a few weeks .
Lion ’s head of hair can be get in sawdust or on hardwood logs . One good deal will reliably grow at least three harvests . you may get spawn made for acquire social lion ’s mane mushroom-shaped cloud in logarithm or in a substrate online if you ca n’t find it locally . Ready to get bug out ?
Growing Lion’s Mane Mushrooms on Logs
Growing lion ’s mane mushroom-shaped cloud on log is a surefire way to have a unfaltering , reliable harvest for years .
Choosing a Log
Lion ’s mane only grows on hardwood . The good mixed bag are oak , maple , and birch . Maple is the preferred wood , but they are n’t fussy . Lion ’s Mane is one of the few mushrooms that will grow on disgraceful walnut .
Tulip , poplar , and willow are also suitable for short - term product . farseeing term , prefer elm , oak chestnut or black walnut .
The eld of the wood is also important . They wo n’t grow in wood that is too immature , or wood has been invaded by other kingdom Fungi .
Freshly fly trees or ramification from a late snip workplace best . wintertime passementerie is ideal because that ’s when the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has a high floor of sugars , which benefits the mushroom .
The logs should be about 12 in in diam . It ’s serious if they are a undifferentiated distance as well . I find that 3 - invertebrate foot log is leisurely to manage . Remember , part of maintain your logs is moving them around when they are pixilated , and a moist log can be heavy .
Dry the Logs
lay your log on a pallet or other raised surface to dry out for 1 - 3 months . You want them to contain only about 40 % moisture .
Do n’t hive away your logs with your firewood . They can piece up diseases and insects .
Once your logs have dry out , you are ready to inoculate them . This can be done at any time of year but spring is best .
Now is the fourth dimension topurchase the amount of spawn you needfor the figure of logarithm you have seasoned . For example , 100 plugs can immunise 10 logs .
Tools For Inoculation
You will call for several point to complete your vaccination outgrowth . You in all likelihood have several of these already .
assume you are going to vaccinate 10 logs , you ’ll need :
Inoculating Your Logs
Caring For Your Logs
When you are done inoculating , your log are ready to be stacked in a shady , damp fix . you may stack them crib expressive style , or you may lean them against a wood perch at 45 ° angle .
If you are having worry maintaining moisture levels for your growing lion ’s mane mushroom cloud , prove partly burying the log vertically .
Your develop plot should be in a shady area with adequate air circulation . A ripe evergreen plant plot of land is upright or , lacking that , build a three - sided shelter . Pieces of 80 % tincture cloth are ideal for this .
Lion ’s head of hair are not a flying - get crop on logs . They typically make a diminished first flush 6 calendar month after log inoculation , but it may take up to 2 years for them to really prosper . Your log will yield yield for up to 6 age .
you’re able to check the end of the logarithm for a white fuzz which tells you the mycelium has grown throughout the logarithm and everything is growing like it should .
Growing Lion’s Mane Mushrooms in Sawdust
Lion ’s head of hair can also be grown in bag using sawdust or wood fuel pellets as a substratum . This is often refer to as a fruit blockage . Bags are typically grow indoors .
This method acting is fast and more predictable , but it ’s more expensive than the log method acting .
Lion ’s mane prefers temperatures between 65 - 75 ° to yield , and they take about 3 weeks to mature this direction .
Make a Sawdust Block
Make your sawdust obstruct by aggregate :
Keep supply water until the mixture clumps , and a little pee drips out if you squeeze it .
Once this is done :
Inoculating Your Sawdust Blocks
Before get down , check that your hands and work area are blank to avoid contamination .
Caring For Your Sawdust Blocks
Now that your colony is show it will start making fall , which should commence to form within a week or two .
Check your blocks once a hebdomad . Look for any mould , other fungus or dry spot . Lion ’s mane does in effect in a humid surroundings , so make certain to keep it moist .
Problems and Solutions for Growing Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Mold
log and block may develop mold . If they do , move them around so they get better melodic phrase circulation . If they get too infested , toss them out .
Drying Out
The diametric problem of clay sculpture – grow Panthera leo ’s mane mushrooms on logs and blocks can dry out . render moving logs to a better location or give them a good soak .
If you retrieve that your blockage are drying out too apace , you’re able to put them in a bucketful or empty aquarium to help continue water . you’re able to also cloud them with water from a spray bottle .
Harvesting and Storing
Once your lion ’s mane has imprint , you ’ll need to harvest them before they turn pink or brown . Look for the full point when clear teeth have formed , usually 4 - 7 days after peg commence protrude up .
Cut the ball close to the foundation taking maintenance not to damage the spine .
Refrigerate them right after harvest time in a ventilate container . They will keep up to 2 hebdomad in the fridge .
Lion ’s mane can be used as a substitute for seafood in almost any recipe . Try chopping it up and making mushroom cloud “ crab ” bar , or slice it and fry it in butter .
Drying
If you ca n’t run through them fresh , storehouse lion ’s mane mushrooms by drying them out . Slice about 1/4 - inch deep and localise them in a well - ventilated area until they have dried .
What to do with Spent Blocks
If you are using sawdust blocks , you may sum them to yourcompostpile when they are spend . In fact , they may restore in the compost and give rise another outpouring or two of mushrooms .
Adding the mycelium compost to the garden is great for your veg . The mycelium organize a symbiotic connection and pull food from the stain to make them more available for the vegetables .
Paul Stamets write a great bookabout how mycelium enriches and help the woodland soil and improve ecosystems and sustainability .
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