Growing Shiitake Mushrooms

By Joseph Alper
Published on September 1, 1980
1 / 5

The author built this mushroom cage to facilitate the process of growing shiitake mushrooms.
The author built this mushroom cage to facilitate the process of growing shiitake mushrooms.
2 / 5

In Japan, the shiitake mushrooms— formerly reserved for royalty—are now grown in large quantities on harwood logs, considered an integral part of that country's forest industry, and exported worldwide by the millions. 
In Japan, the shiitake mushrooms— formerly reserved for royalty—are now grown in large quantities on harwood logs, considered an integral part of that country's forest industry, and exported worldwide by the millions. 
3 / 5

When your mushroom compost is covered with a
When your mushroom compost is covered with a "spawn run" of white mycelium it's ready to be exposed to light.
4 / 5

These clumps of mature fungi growing on mycelium-coated compost will be harvested to make room for a new crop. 
These clumps of mature fungi growing on mycelium-coated compost will be harvested to make room for a new crop. 
5 / 5

The ruler will give you some idea of the size of these strong-flavored mushrooms when they're ready for eating.
The ruler will give you some idea of the size of these strong-flavored mushrooms when they're ready for eating.

In ancient China and Japan, the savory shiitake
(it’s pronounced “she-tar-kee”) mushroom was reserved for
royalty, and its deep forest habitats–where the fungi
grew wild on the logs of shii trees and other
hardwoods–were closely guarded. Then, some thousand
years ago, Japanese farmers began growing shiitake mushrooms. Today the island nation

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368