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Oyster_Bob

Registered: 12/15/14
Posts: 119
Last seen: 9 years, 1 day
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Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry?
#20984390 - 12/16/14 12:14 PM (9 years, 5 months ago) |
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Greetings All,
In planning my mushroom log empire - I was thinking about automation to keep the logs moist (sprinklers) - It seems the most ideal way of watering logs - are long deep soaks and long drying periods between them to allow the bark to dry to avoid other organisms jumping in?...
It would be a lot more work, and wouldn't be able to stack my logs horizontally cross wise (well maybe I could) - but I was thinking if I could drill a hole lengthwise through the logs centers and put a 1/4" tube into them and have a constant drip - that should be enough to make sure the logs internal moisture stays high and the bark stay relatively dry? Thoughts?
I am trying to think up of ways to grow the mushrooms with minimal interaction from myself as I don't have much free time - hence thinking logs, and sprinkler system initially ;-) any other ideas on automation/reducing interaction?
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Humbled
Local Budtender




Registered: 01/19/08
Posts: 1,907
Last seen: 2 days, 3 hours
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: Oyster_Bob]
#20984410 - 12/16/14 12:19 PM (9 years, 5 months ago) |
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I once visited a Shiitake commercial grow where the logs(no bigger than your arm) were stacked log-cabin style, after being soaked, and then covered with some sort of heavy carpet-like material. The material was completely saturated all the time and the mushrooms seemed to love it.
There's always more than one way to grow a mushroom though... hope that helps a little.
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M8M
Stranger
Registered: 05/28/09
Posts: 229
Last seen: 2 days, 11 hours
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: Humbled]
#20984639 - 12/16/14 01:18 PM (9 years, 5 months ago) |
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Soaking logs in a tub or pool of cold water serves a couple of purposes. It gives a cold shock to the logs and the handling also results in a shock, especially if you drop the log end onto a rock. Shocking induces fruiting. With what you are proposing could lead to the bark drying out and separating from the log. The bark is required for fruiting.
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knomadic_niki
A mile high



Registered: 06/30/14
Posts: 1,275
Loc: 6200' Colorado
Last seen: 6 years, 9 months
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: M8M]
#20995593 - 12/18/14 06:25 PM (9 years, 4 months ago) |
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psilocelium, that's genius! i water mine 3-4 times a week 6 hours at a time and i cover them with leaf mulch while they colonize. i live in a dry climate
-------------------- My trade list In search of sporeless oyster cultures
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Oyster_Bob

Registered: 12/15/14
Posts: 119
Last seen: 9 years, 1 day
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: knomadic_niki]
#20998128 - 12/19/14 09:19 AM (9 years, 4 months ago) |
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thank you all!
I wonder if several layers of burlap and sprinkler system would be ideal then? In between fruitings, do they take the covers off to dry the bark - or is it constantly wet?
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Humbled
Local Budtender




Registered: 01/19/08
Posts: 1,907
Last seen: 2 days, 3 hours
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: Oyster_Bob]
#21005784 - 12/20/14 11:25 PM (9 years, 4 months ago) |
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It's constantly wet, I believe the grower just hoses down the mats as they grow along.
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Oyster_Bob

Registered: 12/15/14
Posts: 119
Last seen: 9 years, 1 day
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: Humbled]
#21012206 - 12/22/14 01:31 PM (9 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thanks!
This is very interesting - all the materials I have read so far suggested doing deep soaks every so often and constant wetting was bad.
Do you remember the rough ambient temperature and humidity of the area? Assuming it was in the 60s? Was this in a fairly clean environment (in an enclosure, etc)?
during our "dryer" winter months our humidity is around 60-80% - this technique maybe overboard/dangerous for my area?
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Dreeamweaver
Stranger
Registered: 12/09/14
Posts: 44
Last seen: 8 years, 10 months
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Re: Idea to keep logs moist and bark dry? [Re: Oyster_Bob]
#21019210 - 12/23/14 09:38 PM (9 years, 4 months ago) |
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I've heard that if you live somewhere without a dry climate, but didn't get constant rainfall, watering your logs every 2-3 weeks is sufficient.
Thing is, I'm not sure if soaking or hosing them down is best. I think hosing them down would take way too long, so a good sprinkler is probably a good idea.
Thing is, I've also heard that you can't use tap water, because the chlorine could kill the myc.. and I've heard that any sort of thick mat-like material could facilitate mold growth.
Lots of mixed info out there on Shiitake log cultivation. I wish there was some sort of definitive guide here on the forums, but I haven't been able to find one yet
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