Shocking & Fruiting Shiitake Mushrooms

Forcing (shocking) is accomplished by completely immersing the log in water for 12 to 24 hours, after which the logs are stacked or leaned against a rail or a tree, for about a week. After several days (seven to 10 usually), the small mushroom primordials (pins) begin to form; and several days later (temperature/moisture dependent), the mushrooms are ready to harvest.

[@maryannboehm]

Thank you for a very clear explanation of how to take care of the logs and what to look for. Well done!

[@kingloz36]

Thanks !

[@fontosmoke2408]

How soon should you see the imprint on the logs? I live here in Southern California and I am worried that the logs I did in the spring dried out

[@elenaschiller2373]

looks easy enough

[@jesseknox9322]

Thanks for sharing this! I have a bout 50 logs I inoculated back in March. I'm looking forward to September, that should be when I can shock them for the first time. I'm in south east Iowa and we're in a drought at the moment. I've been soaking my logs with a bucket of clean (chlorine evaporated) water every other day with water to keep logs moist. I was going to ask: say next year when I start to shock these logs throughout the year, is it worth shocking during hot and dry months? My logs are under an old white oak tree with plenty of shade and a nice breeze, but I don't know what they would do I guess when it gets hot and dry? Also, should I still soak my logs after their first year to keep the logs moist? Thanks for the great help!

[@3songwo]

I'd like to mark the date as I only shock 2 logs at a time, if any of you do this as well, what do you use as weather proof signage to keep track of the shocked logs?

[@melodyh1528]

I thought you’re supposed to hit the log of something hard like a rock and then keep it underwater for 24 hours

[@johngutierrez900]

Thought it was Paul stamets in the thumbnail

[@seabuckthorniran1]

Dear Professor
I have the PhD of forest science

[@kingloz36]

Thanks !