Revival

If the inoculation (application or inoculation of mycelium) was carried out in spring, mushrooms can sometimes be expected to appear in autumn, when the ambient temperature is lower and the humidity is higher (Fig. 17, Fig. 18). Shiitakes take longer to overgrow and most often only start sprouting after 18 months, but on hardwood (oak) they sometimes take only two years.

Once the trunk has been fully overgrown for a few months, the mushroom development process is accelerated by soaking the trunks in cold water for 24 hours (Figure 19), which is particularly recommended for Japanese toothfruit or shiitake. During the soaking, the trunks are weighted down to prevent them from floating to the surface.

Figure 19

If you notice that the mushrooms appear under the foil (Figure 20), gently wrinkle the foil, taking care not to damage the mushrooms.

Figure 20

For the fruiting stage, damp cellars or other similar rooms (stables, mines, etc.) are best suited. It is necessary to provide light (enough light to read the book), high humidity and light ventilation (Figure 21). To increase indoor humidity, water is poured on the floor of the room and sprayed on the floor or trunks. Spraying water directly on the mushrooms is not recommended as it may cause rotting if the water does not evaporate from the mushrooms within a couple of hours.

Figure 21

In the garden, overgrown trunks (trunks with white mycelium under the wax layer on the entire surface of the cut end) can be partially buried in sand in a vertical position to prevent desiccation. The trunks should be allowed to ‘rest’ for at least 2 months between harvests.