Shiitake Mushroom Production - Small Farms / Alternative Enterprises

ShiitakeMushroomProductionClay OlsonTaylor CountyLinda LandrumNFREC-SV

History• Cultivated in Asia for over 800 years• Third most widely produced mushroom in the world• One of the top exported products from Japan• Production began in US in early 1970’s, continues today• Three production approaches*Nutrient amended sawdust block*Log production using forced fruiting* Log production utilizing natural conditionsand/or irrigation (this type is recommended for smallerproducers)

5 Steps to GrowingShiitake MushroomsStep 1- Ordering good quality culture, called spawnor inoculum• Strains are specific to type of productioni.e. sawdust, forcing, soaking or irrigated• Can be purchased in sawdust blocks, grain blocksor in hardwood dowels(plugs)• For Florida…* Wide range C- 41, C-15*Warm-weather CS-24, CS-125*Cold-weather CS-16, CS-11,CS-118

Step 3Inoculating the logs• Inoculate in shady area as direct sunlight damagesspawn• Drill holes 3 to 4 inches apart in rows spaced 6 inchesapart around the log (Logs average between 35-40 holes each)using a high speed drill*use 12mm drill bit for sawdust spawn or 8mm bit forplug spawn*Depth of the hole depends on thickness of tree bark.For turkey or black jack oak, hole needs to be an inchdeep – for water oak ¾ inch is enough. Same depths foreither plugs or sawdust

Step 3Inoculating the logs• Carefully pack the holes with sawdust spawn or placehardwood dowel in hole• If using sawdust , you must pack the spawn down intothe hole with a 3/8” dowel rod• Seal over hole with melted paraffinwax to keep out competing organisms*Use camel hair type brush asplastic bristles melt in hot wax

Step 4- Allowing Shiitaketo colonize the wood• Stack logs in a vertical position to increase waterabsorption• In Florida, irrigation during periods of drought, hightemperatures and windy weather will be necessary* About 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week• Logs MUST be in deeply shaded area(60%) to produce

Step 4- Allowing Shiitaketo colonize the wood• Takes from 4 to 9 months to colonize log (calledspawn run) depending on climate and strain tobegin fruiting• Logs will usually fruit for 2 or 3 years withoutadditional inoculation depending on size oflog and conditions• Yields will vary but each log canproduce up to 5 lbs. of product overa three year period valued at$8 per lb. in a retail market venue

Step 5-Harvesting , storingand packaging yourmushrooms• Harvest when caps are about 2/3’s open, cutting the stemflush with the bark using a sharp knife• Mushrooms can be:* stored fresh in a cardboard box at 36-41F for up to a monthbut loss in quality starts occurring after 4 to 5 days*dried either whole or sliced but price received will besubstantially lower. Additionally, you will be required to have aFL Food Permit, certified kitchen and aFood Managers License to do this.• Packaging should allow for air exchangeto inhibit bacteria growth

Step 5- Marketing yourmushrooms‣ Freshness, color and shape main selling features‣ Develop good customer relationships• Retail Considerations*Less complicated* Higher returns*Less expensive*Eliminates the costs of “middle man”*Allows for market research*Use direct market venues such as farmers markets,specialty stores and restaurants

• Wholesale ConsiderationsStep 5- Marketing yourmushrooms*Useful when zoning prohibits home sales or home base is too far fromconsumers*Greater sales volume potential*Frees producer to focus on production*More expensive than direct distribution*Less control over product*Wholesalers will buy dried product at about ½ priceof fresh*Price Taker rather than Price Setter‣ Having a consistent, quality product throughout most of theyear is desirable for either marketing venue!

Risks Affecting Production• Severe weather conditions like hot, dryperiods so irrigation is critical• Pest damage from termites, squirrels, mice ,birds and deer• Poor quality spawn so buy from reputablecompanies and use strains best suited for area• Inadequate labor to inoculate/harvest/sell crop

Resources• American Mushroom Institutehttp://www.americanmushroom.org/index.htm• Mushroom Growers Newsletterhttp://www.mushroomcompany.com/index.shtml• Florida MarketMakerhttp://fl.foodmarketmaker.com

Questions?