Suitable for mushroom log cultivation. Use plug spawn to inoculate logs and grow mushrooms naturally outdoors.
4 products
Plug spawn
Plug spawn
Suitable for mushroom log cultivation. Use plug spawn to inoculate logs and grow mushrooms naturally outdoors.
Plug spawn
Suitable for mushroom log cultivation. Use plug spawn to inoculate logs and grow mushrooms naturally outdoors.
High quality mushroom spawn
All of our mushroom spawn and cultures are produced in the highest-quality clean rooms and laboratory. We can vouch for the top-notch quality as we handle every step of the process - from tissue culture, to agar, to sterilisation. The spawn and cultures you are purchasing are exactly the same ones we use for our own mushroom farm.
High quality mushroom grain spawn
All of our mushroom grain spawn is grown on Certified Bio-dynamic Australian Wheat Grain and is cultured and inoculated in the highest-quality clean rooms and laboratory. We can vouch for its top-notch quality as we handle every step of the process - from tissue culture, to agar, to grain sterilisation. The grain spawn you are purchasing is exactly the same product we use for our own mushroom farm.
High quality mushroom grain spawn
All of our mushroom grain spawn is grown on Certified Bio-dynamic Australian Wheat Grain and is cultured and inoculated in the highest-quality clean rooms and laboratory. We can vouch for its top-notch quality as we handle every step of the process - from tissue culture, to agar, to grain sterilisation. The grain spawn you are purchasing is exactly the same product we use for our own mushroom farm.
High quality mushroom grain spawn
All of our mushroom grain spawn is grown on Certified Bio-dynamic Australian Wheat Grain and is cultured and inoculated in the highest-quality clean rooms and laboratory. We can vouch for its top-notch quality as we handle every step of the process - from tissue culture, to agar, to grain sterilisation. The grain spawn you are purchasing is exactly the same product we use for our own mushroom farm.
High quality mushroom spawn
All of our mushroom spawn and cultures are produced in the highest-quality clean rooms and laboratory. We can vouch for the top-notch quality as we handle every step of the process - from tissue culture, to agar, to sterilisation. The spawn and cultures you are purchasing are exactly the same products we use for our own mushroom farm.
Most Frequently Asked
What is mushroom plug spawn and what is it used for?
Mushroom plug spawn is a special form of mushroom inoculum used in the traditional log cultivation method of mushroom growing.
The plugs are made of hardwood and have a spiral groove cut into them which allows the mycelium to nestle into the groove and coat the hardwood plug.
The log inoculation process involves drilling a series of holes into a log then plugging the holes with the mushroom plug spawn then coating the plugs with a seal such as soy wax. The mycelium is then able to spread from the plug into the heartwood of the log - colonising the log and starting to decompose it. The log is the food source for the mushroom mycelium and as it breaks the wood down, it will produce mushrooms which you can harvest and enjoy!
What tree species are compatible with mushroom log cultivation?
Most tree-loving mushroom species prefer hardwood tree species with a few exceptions. For mushroom log cultivation, stick to hardwood species and avoid Pines, Camphor laurel, and Ironbark. For a full list of suitable tree species for mushroom log cultivation click here to download our guide.
You need to cut your logs from healthy, living trees. We recommend sourcing logs from a sustainable source, or use sustainable practices when cutting trees for mushroom log cultivation.
Some good sources of logs may be your local arborist, a plantation or orchard doing some maintenance or pruning of their trees, or your own backyard if you’re needing to do some tree removal.
Never cut dead, dying, or diseased trees for mushroom growing - these will already have some fungi inhabitants who won’t like sharing their log with your gourmet mushrooms, rude!
When should I cut my logs?
The timing of your log harvest is important. Choosing the right time of year to cut logs can improve your chances of success. An ideal time to cut logs is between Autumn and early Spring, before the trees form buds and new growth. This will ensure there’s lots of yummy sap in the wood, providing tasty nutrients for the mushroom mycelium to grow.
If you're going to use Eucalypt species or gums, these often shed their bark during Summer so it's best to wait until after this time.
Your climate is also an important consideration when timing the inoculation of your logs. Avoid the middle or summer or any time of the year which is very hot and dry as this can cause the mycelium heat stress during the early colonisation period.
You also need to use freshly cut logs, inoculate them around two weeks after cutting the logs. This is enough time to allow any anti-fungal compounds in the wood to go away but not too long that the log starts to crack and dry out.
What size should my logs be?
Most log sizes will work, but there’s a general rule of thumb - a size that will produce a good amount of mushrooms, while still being easy to work with. We recommend cutting logs to 1m in length and choosing sections 10-15cm in diameter.
Small-diameter wood will colonise more quickly but will not produce for as many years and can dry out. Larger logs are really heavy and hard to work with.
You can use branches if that’s what you have available - there’s no need to cut down a whole tree!
What is the best time of year to make mushroom logs?
Timing your log making depends on your climate and when you are able to source your logs.
You need to inoculate your logs within a week or two of cutting them so make sure you’ve set aside some time for your project. This gives enough time for some of the anti-fungal properties in the wood to dissipate but not too long for the wood to dry out or other competitor fungi to take up residence. While you’re resting your logs, be sure to keep them off the ground.
Avoid the middle or summer or any time of the year which is very hot and dry as this can cause the mycelium heat stress during the early colonisation period. We recommend making mushroom logs between Autumn and early Spring.
What tools do I need to make mushroom logs?
You will need a few special tools to make mushroom logs as well as some more common houshold items. To make things easy and convenient we have created a DIY Mushroom Log Kit which comes with the special mushroom bits and bobs and an in-depth instructional video. This kit includes enough materials (excluding the logs!) to inoculate 6-8 mushroom logs.
To make mushroom logs you will need:
- Plug spawn inoculated with mushroom mycelium
- An 8mm drill bit
- Beeswax or soy wax
- A wax applicator (dauber)
- Freshly cut logs, approximately 1m in length and 10-15 cm in diameter (check out our wood species guide for the best types of wood for log cultivation)
- A rubber mallet or hammer
- A drill
How should I store mushroom plug spawn?
Store your mushroom plug spawn in the fridge. It can be stored in the fridge for several months without losing its vigour.
How long does it take from the time of log inoculation to harvest?
Growing mushrooms on logs is as close as you can get to replicating how mushrooms grow in nature. This low-tech, relatively low maintenance method works for a variety of species but is used most famously for Shiitake log cultivation. It does take some time to establish the logs (12-18 months depending on mushroom species and log size) but once established, you can be harvesting from your mushroom logs for several years!
Results will vary greatly depending on the mushroom, tree species selected, and environmental conditions.
Shiitake logs usually have their largest flushes during their second year producing.
What is the white stuff on my plugs, is it still OK to use?
When you receive your plug spawn you will see that the wooden dowel plugs are coated in white stuff - this is the mushroom mycelium and it what you want to see!
How many flushes will a log produce?
Results will vary greatly depending on the mushroom species, tree species selected, environmental conditions and size of your logs. Smaller logs will produce more quickly but won't produce for as many years. A log 10-15cm in diameter should produce for 3-5 years once colonised.
Where do you ship to?
We ship Australia-wide. We currently do not offer international shipping, sorry team!
