Successful Cultivation Methods for Hen and Chicken of the Woods on Logs

[@danielboone3390]

How does this channel only have 900 subscribers 😶😶 deserves way more

[@willn8664]

14k now.

[@johnstamos4629]

Wow. Not a wasted word. So well thought out and put together instructional. Im going to buy some of those bags.

[@MakeItSHARP]

Glad I found this! I can't wait to try this.

[@williamwurthmann1573]

I will be giving Chicken of the woods a try this year here in Alaska.

[@lindap9079]

Please don't be afraid of the pressure canner. Like all tools if you use it properly you won't be injured by it. On the lid of the pressure canner is a rubber plug. If explosive pressure were to build up in the canner, that safety plug would pop out, releasing pressure and prevent an explosion.

[@nathana5549]

@kroganlove3640 maybe you should stop buying them 😂

[@jonnyneoross369]

Yeah, I know what she means by being afraid of it blowing up in your face. Literally I feel the same way every time I hear the timer go off i’m thankful that I can shut it off without an explosion.

[@AnnOyer7771]

It requires maintenance like any tool. Check and replace gaskets and regulators. After 5 years consider replacing the unit if used frequently

[@tammy-lynnstewart5677]

Awesome tutorial! I must try this!

[@sethleach6867]

Excellent!

[@MsCharae23]

So you actually bury underground? And what time a year did you bury yours? How long did it take to get mushrooms?

[@ericlarson5270]

Love your product. Keep up the good work and it's great seeing you have some videos out now.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Thanks so much Eric! That's very kind of you to say. We'll keep cranking out videos that hopefully will add some value to anyone who wants to grow mushrooms. Have a great day!

[@cplpj2158]

I need to order this!!!!

[@givepeasachance_]

Awesome video!

[@AllCapeTree]

Interesting! Will definitely have to try it this year!

[@jessicabartley4118]

I just bought all the materials needed and am really exited to try this! The only problem is that the logs I have are only 5” in diameter. I know the recommendation is to have 8”x8” stumps. Do you guys think this will work on smaller diameter logs?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Absolutely! The logs won't last as long, but they will colonize quicker and produce faster.

[@coreypaxton3546]

Any luck thinking about trying

[@coreypaxton3546]

Any luck thinking about trying

[@DmitryShevkoplyas]

Thank you, great video, easy explanation!

[@heavymetalworks6375]

Just got the hen of the woods kit last week but didnt get any instruction on what to do with any of it. would rather see a video anyway. thanks

[@soldieborsa]

Hello Phoebe, great video thanks. After how long the logs with maitake start to fruit? can you share with us more photos of the results? thanks

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It usually takes 2 - 3 years, unless your log is quite small. You can see the first fruiting off of a small log here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5SqdZygm7SieMk

[@soldieborsa]

@@FieldandForestProducts Thank you very much, i will go immediately to have a look at this video :) Have you ever tried cultivating them in bags? and how was your success rate in colonizing the logs with maitake, i mean is it easy or not that easy?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@soldieborsa We have, but the maitake strain we have is a log-specific decomposer, so the blocks are tricky. That being said we did get a grant for block production and strain acquisition so it may become easier in the near future!

[@MsCharae23]

Link to the kit please?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

www.fieldforest.net/product/maitake-sawdust-spawn-starter-kit/maitake-sawdust-kits

[@bobbijoevans3868]

I was wondering what type and size is your pressure cooker.

[@jackwheatley8]

Hi, great channel and information, thank you......I am struggling to find any photos on the internet of anyone succesfully cultivating chicken of the woods.....

[@MicroBugs]

This video doesn't provide enough information at the end. That photo is chicken of the woods naturally growing into the woods!

[@eastbrookcommunityfarm9873]

we have very limited access to oak here, have you done trials with other tree species? thanks

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We have only grown it successfully on oak.

[@koltoncrane3099]

If you don’t have any oak you might could just buy some oak pellets they sell for smoking meat if you really wanted to try it.

[@h8GW]

@kolton crane I'm not sure how you're gonna get mushrooms of any considerate size from pellets...

[@MsCharae23]

How many quarts is your pressure cooker?

[@unosit1unosit192]

where do you buy the kit at? does the kit come with the spores?

[@h8GW]

Is there a good reason not to bake wrapped logs in the oven at a low heat, 250°F or under, for several hours? I ask because I don't have pots and pressure cookers of this size.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Logs baked in an oven have a high tendency to dry out even within the bag, and once that happens it's a less suitable substrate for the mycelium.

[@mvmoro]

Thanks so much for this video. Would this work for shiitake? And oyster?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It would, but it's not a necessary step. Pre-treating the logs is only necessary for weaker competitors such as Maitake and Chicken of the Woods.

[@wrxmarcus2]

Hello! Love this video. Can you make a link to your kit and accessories - specifically interest in a kit of bags, foam plugs, and collars (not necessarily the spawn). But any links helpful! Thanks! and *subscribed* :)

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Here you go! www.fieldforest.net/product/chicken-of-the-woods-sawdust-spawn-starter-kit/chicken-of-the-woods-sawdust-spawn

[@justinwade2816]

What size bags are those?

[@wizard-prism]

With the boiling method did you soak the log first? It looks wet in the bag. If so how long did you soak it?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We did not soak the log first, but water will seep in or condensate in the bag once boiled!

[@dharaneshe103]

Does maitake grow on every hard wood???

[@FieldandForestProducts]

No, unfortunately not. We've only ever seen it growing on oak.

[@BetterLifeFocus]

Sorry for asking but can this mushroom be grown on hardwood sawdusts or pellets and make them fruit?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes, but maitake is extremely temperamental when it comes to indoor fruiting

[@briancallaway]

Good video but I’ve been trying to find out if there are any tips for log prep. Do I cut and wait several weeks for the log to go through the same drying process as I would wait for a shiitake inoculation? Or must these be cut and immediately start the sterilization process?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

With all log inoculation we recommend waiting the two weeks, not matter the species and method. A lot of folks don't wait and it doesn't make a huge difference, but best practice would be to wait!

[@cscvt]

Does it have to be the whole log section? Meaning does the bark have to go all the way around. Or can it just be a chunk of oak?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It does need to have the bark all the way around in order to keep the log from drying out.

[@damionfragoso2655]

Could you do wood pellets in a bottle? I am bottle growing at home because I have an apartment.

[@timmeyer568]

Will oak logs cut in the fall work also?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes! Oak logs cut in the fall will work. Once the logs are fully colonized they will have to be held over in either a cooler (or a cool garage) as chances are the ground will be frozen at the 3 month mark.

[@abc-qj7ve]

I really wanna try growing chicken of the woods now, but I live in Germany where we have a bit of a colder climate. Can I still expect this to work out?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes. We're in Wisconsin, which also gets quite cold.

[@dougsuitor]

Once logs are boiled and bagged with spawn should they periodically have the sponge moistened? Will the logs themselves provide enough moisture?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

The logs themselves provide the moisture needed, so no additional watering necessary!

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Do these maitakes taste as good as the wild foraged variety?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes! They taste the same, the biggest difference is that the clusters are a little more dense than some of the wild ones you find.

[@puttnaroundoutdoors5517]

have you tried hydrated lime soaks? it works for straw and other substrates.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

In theory it works for pasteurization, but the issue with a lime soak is that it water-logs the logs.

[@puttnaroundoutdoors5517]

@@FieldandForestProducts what can waterlogging the log do?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@puttnaroundoutdoors5517 It makes the log a better environment for unwanted contaminates such as green molds that thrive in a damper environment.

[@thefishingpol]

What time of year is best to do this? Can I harvest that year or do I need to wait till the following year for harvesting? What is a reputable dealer to obtain spawn from?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It depends where you are, but for us in Wisconsin the best time is to start the process in February. Under ideal conditions you can get a fruiting the same year, but it typically takes longer. And we use our spawn (Field & Forest Products)!

[@puttnaroundoutdoors5517]

what material and thickness are these bags?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

They are polypropylene, .5mil bags

[@jimmymisle910]

Can i use sawdust blocks instead? live in the city, don't have anywhere to burry a log

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It can be done, but fruiting maitake off of blocks indoors is tricky as they are temperamental about humidity and temperature.

[@crissicrossi1]

Has anyone tried steaming the logs with lower heat? I have access to a sauna and have been thinking to steam several 1m long logs at once in it. The heat only goes up to 95°C/203°F though.

[@jselwell]

If the entire log should be >140 for >4hrs, you're pasteurized! But...you then need to isolate the logs with the spawn until colonized...

[@Hara-Kiri-Squad]

How long did it take from inoculation to harvest approximately?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

With anything mushrooms there's a huge variety in fruiting time. The shortest timeframe we ever had was 8 months, but it's far more typical for it to take 18-24 months from inoculation to harvest. We've also had logs took over 3 years to fruit.

[@burleman]

Do you bury just the log, or the whole set up, bag and all?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

You take the log out of the bag once it is fully colonized (about 3 months) and bury the log.

[@anianater6549]

I live in the high desert of NV and was curious on if this process would also work in the environmental conditions here?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

I wouldn't recommend it. It could work, but the extra water maintenance it would require would be a big lift.

[@anianater6549]

@@FieldandForestProducts Thank you very much!

[@aliyaingersoll4057]

Would baking in a sauna work?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Great question. We (unfortunately) don't have access to a sauna to try it, but I would give it a try! If you do try it I would suggest using the same parameters as steaming a log.

[@wrxmarcus2]

Is there any reason you can't boil or simmer the logs outside of the bag if you want to do bigger logs? I'm dealing with dozens of downed oak trees from our recent Iowa storms...

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We recommend against it because the logs will become very water-logged. Once there is so much moisture it makes it a more ideal environment for bacteria than the mycelium.

[@davidroethel2226]

Is that why you don't soak the logs first?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@davidroethel2226 Yes! Also generally the logs do not need any extra moisture so it would be an unnecessary step.

[@davidroethel2226]

What a wonderful way to propagate that fungi thank you for your post.

[@HA-gn4bu]

I had the same thoughts, esp. regarding scale-up. I guess the logs might not soak too much of water, as the wood structure is still in good shape (?). and if you let it drain for 1-2 days it might become dry enough... If i try, i will let you know ;)

[@jklxyx3629]

Do you think my instapot would work?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We don't see why it wouldn't work! We haven't tried it, but we'll try it once we get our hands on one. Stay tuned.

[@__m__e__]

Is there a time of year that it's better/worse to bury the logs. Trying to plan for this fall and don't want to be late. I'd like to try it this year if i can find some oak.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

The best time to bury the logs is in the spring as that gives the logs time to acclimate to their new environment!

[@SCPhil3]

Do you have any posts documenting growing CotW? Whats the success rate? What's the yield like? I've seen many videos and blogs written at the start of cultivation but never a follow up with whether it was successful. Yours is the first one I've seen posted in at least 2 years. I know this is a fairly difficult mushroom to cultivate but there's so many mushroom sites selling plug spawn and sawdust spawn... How is it that there's so much spawn available for purchase but not much evidence of it's fruiting? Is this because the success rate is so low? If there's so many companies selling spawn why isn't someone attempting a larger scale grow op? Perhaps in that log cultivation form (which seems to be the most common for CotW)? Please let me know. The market is there, so I don't think that's a real answer (which I have gotten before). The market is there- between the gourmet mushroom market but mostly..this is the best chicken alternative out there and I believe it could (if someone hit the golden method) out sell protein isolate chicken substitutes and perhaps convince more omnivores as well.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

I think the reason that there isn't much documentation is because it is a tricky mushroom to grow (as you noted) and because it does take a lot of effort to pressure treat logs. You would have to pretreat a lot of logs to do this on a commercial scale, which most growers don't have the time or resources to pressure treat 50-100 logs which is the most successful way of doing this. Another reason for the low documentation is because we here at F&FP just developed this particular method of cultivation. As we say in the video, we would not recommend plugging logs as the success rate with that is low (if any at all). As for follow up, if you follow this channel you'll see we just posted another video of burying the log and we plan on following the life of that log for this series. We will continue to do this on a larger scale outside the videos so we can have more data on yields, longevity of the logs, etc.

[@FiloBetto74]

​@@FieldandForestProducts So the plugs don't work as well as the sawdust method?

[@Alice-uz9kb]

Would wood chips and a bucket work for chicken of the woods? Also do you have a link to the kit? Thank you!!!

[@josiahchristensen369]

Chicken of the woods is extremely susceptible to contamination. Most likely it would be taken over by contamination before the mycelium could develop. Oyster mushrooms are far more suitable do to their aggressive nature.

[@DanaTS]

I’m not sure either. I think you could in theory do that with some practice finding what works, but Chicken of the Woods is almost always grown outside in inoculated wood. I would like to try alternate methods myself. You might check out Southwest Mushrooms as well. He’s one of the very few I’ve seen that grow it on other substrates, and he even does it inside which is pretty amazing.

[@DanaTS]

Actually, now that I thought about it a minute- I think SW grows Hen of the Woods inside on grow bags, not sure now if it was Chicken of the Woods or Hen he did a video on. I can’t remember, but I would bet the video is still up and good info either way.

[@Dalmonigh]

Where do I find the kit?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Here: www.fieldforest.net/category/sawdust-spawn-starter-kits

[@drzflyest4]

Do you giys have any experience using higher rates of spawn with out any prep?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We do and we've found that the logs just don't colonize as well. They are much more susceptible to contamination if the logs are not treated, even with a higher inoculation rate.

[@CampingforCool41]

I’m very interested in growing chicken of the woods, this is the first time I’ve seen a method that looks doable to me. Is the success rate high? Does it take several years before chicken of the woods fruits?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

In our experience the success rate is close to 100% IF you do a true sterilization. However, the fruiting bodies aren't going to be the same size of something you find in the wild as it's growing off a significantly smaller piece of wood.

[@terribarth4995]

Hi - Can you just tie the bags to boil the wood?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

You can- but the contamination rate is significantly higher with that method.

[@ultimatecohortsgamer5132]

Hi, where i get the mycelium's of chicken of woods

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Here! www.fieldforest.net/category/chicken-of-the-woods-sawdust-spawn

[@gumihou7802]

Is it possible to grow maitake at the equator belt? We are at over 2000 feet above sea level tho and the weather is generally around 5-30 degrees C. We don't have fall weather here, just perpetual wet spring and dry summer

[@FieldandForestProducts]

I can't say for sure, but I would imagine not just because maitake does need to warm day time highs and cold nights to stimulate fruiting.

[@gumihou7802]

@@FieldandForestProducts for reference, maple trees grow here, but the never lose their leaves (it's so weird, lol. The leaves became riddle with disease instead, sad...) We also have endemic oak trees, so that's something. Also, the nights gets to 10 degrees or less when it rains, but it could get sweltering hot because we're in the mountains and at the equator. So lots of 🌞 I'd still like to experiment tho, any advice will be appreciated because I really miss Maitake. Lots of people cultivate shiitake here if that makes any difference

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@gumihou7802 If you have the cool nights and warm days it's definitely worth a shot! You would certainly want to use oak. When you bury the logs I would suggest completely burying them, not leaving any of the log above ground.

[@melaniekitchen2588]

Will my instant pot work

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes! The larger issue is finding an instant pot big enough to hold a log.

[@melaniekitchen2588]

@@FieldandForestProducts how long do I steam it for ?

[@emelinecuisset4333]

I have 23 quarts pressure cooker. How much water do you recommend to sterilize the maitake logs at 15psi for 120 min ?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

I would go approximately one-third the way up the cooker. It will probably overlap the log a bit, but it shouldn't be detrimental to the log.

[@DespicableP]

@@FieldandForestProducts For clarification, is that 1/3 with the log in the cooker or 1/3 without the log in the cooker?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@DespicableP with the log in the cooker :)

[@RelationshipQuestionsYT]

When I bury the log, could I bury in a pot? I might be selling my home and would hate to have to leave the log here.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We've tried it in pots and it doesn't seem to do as well. I would bury it in a crate (and also bury the crate) and when it comes time to move dig up the crate again.

[@RelationshipQuestionsYT]

@@FieldandForestProducts great idea, thank you!

[@highviewbarbell]

I'm doing a large log project using the same size bolts (about 40 inches long) as I am for all my other species, which I know is much riskier since there's no sterilization at all, but how much do you think my odds might be improved if I simply take the entire log after drilling and filling with sawdust spawn, put it in a big clear garbage bag with some more spawn at the bottom, and then putting that bag through the little ring and using the foam plug? I will be using very freshly cut logs, like, within a day or two of cutting them, and although I know that won't stop any other fungus already on the logs, I will be able to see early on and cull any logs which are being overtaken but some other species, and should be able to still be left with some really good ones, right? I'm accepting the potential loss of logs and spawn on this project just for this species, but I think if I still bag every log individually, I can greatly improve my odds even with no sterilization. (I mainly don't want to have to process 200 chunks of oak when I could just inoculate 80 full size logs and wing it, honestly). Is this thought correct based on the parameters?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Definitely a little risky, but I would say your thinking is spot-on. I'm sure some of the logs will catch and as with anything with mushroom cultivation, the more spawn you use the higher the likelihood of that spawn outcompeting anything that's already in the logs. 200 logs would be A LOT to process unless you have a large scale sterilizer. Just make sure your logs have a way to breath once inside the bags!

[@highviewbarbell]

@@FieldandForestProducts that was my thought too. Processing them whole instead of in pieces and just doing about 50% more to account for loss saves my literally weeks of work (my only method would be two logs at a time boiling away in two pots) but only costs about $100 more in spawn

[@highviewbarbell]

@@FieldandForestProducts my plan is to use 2 inch pvc pipe cut into little neck pieces and then when the bag is pulled through that stuff the hole with 50ppi foam filter cut to size. should be enough of an opening for air exchange right? it won't be as perfect as a micron filter patch or whatever but I think it's good enough to stop a lot of particles

[@felixromano3091]

How much is each flush

[@kasimmka]

Can I somehow do this using my own foraged COW mushrooms? I would like to be able to continue doing this if tor some reason these kits become unavailable. Thanks!

[@FieldandForestProducts]

You can! COW spawn can be made with tissue from the mushroom, but it's a very advanced and specific process that requires skill in the lab. I would recommend starting by researching 'tissue culturing' and see where it leads you. Hope this helps!

[@kasimmka]

@@FieldandForestProducts thank you for the great info ❤

[@izaahmuleek9272]

Would red oak work??

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes!

[@liambarry35]

Some of my logs didnt get fully colonized. Some looked like they were half colonized and the other half green with bacteria. Should I plant these one's anyway?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Go ahead and plant all of them. Maitake will have more of an opportunity to outcompete the green mold in the ground than in the confined areas of the bag.

[@liambarry35]

@@FieldandForestProducts thanks!

[@amintaleghani2110]

what is the alternative to oak log?

[@themulveycottage]

I have them growing on a Casuarina stump here in Australia ☺️

[@lashbay5951]

Can chicken of the woods be grown indoors?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We have gotten it to grow indoors, but it's extremely temperamental. Until we nail it down I would keep to incubating indoors, but growing outdoors.

[@Garysopinion]

not familiar with brick cap mushrooms. does it have any particular value?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Not anymore than the other two. It's a new mushroom for us, but it's a beautiful mushroom to cook with as it's crunchy and a very late fall fruiter.

[@Garysopinion]

Late fruiter is good. Last week, We just had a short warm spell in NW NJ. Can hardly believe seeing some nice shiitake on several 15 year old rotted oak totems. It has happened before so I look for it now. If I did not pick them at that time they would have froze days later.

[@kicknadeadcat]

I have purchased their products a few times, always grow......

[@duckingtheradar]

I’m new to growing on logs. I notice with this method there was no plugging or drilling. Does the log become inoculated simply by adding the spawn the way you did in the video?

[@duckingtheradar]

Also, can I use this method to plant and grow on the log indoors? My outside climate is too dry all year around. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nISXd3mujsSDpJY

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@duckingtheradar In regards to your first question, yes! The spawn will colonize the log from the top and bottom then all through the log. As for why we don't drill: the log is in a controlled environment within that bag and if you drill the logs it is exposing them to outside contaminants. To the second question: We have inoculated logs and then planted them into pots for indoor fruiting in our fruiting room. However, we have yet to fully understand the biological complexities of the soil to be able to recreate an environment for reliable fruiting, so it's more of a gamble.

[@leehuntley189]

Any update on the logs in fruiting room?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@leehuntley189 If you head over to the channel there are two more videos in this series that show how to bury the log and then harvest off of the maitake log.

[@nickfesus3494]

@@FieldandForestProducts what type of substrate are you using to inoculate the spores with?

[@AshleyMarieMommy]

9:16 expect to see fruiting (. When. ) There’s a video in the way!! Help 😂

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Well shoot. 😂 The answer is: expect to see fruiting 18-24 months after inoculation.

[@tscott2416]

Has anyone had any success with this kit so far?

[@MsCharae23]

Why can't you boil the log without those plastic bags?

[@awesome123103]

Wait so what about 25-50 lb logs?🤯

[@FieldandForestProducts]

That'd be on the heavy end! We aim for 15-25 lb logs.

[@lashbay5951]

👍🏽

[@greghillmusic]

Love how you suggest that cultivating COTW is possible, when your video doesn't even feature proof that you've EVER got chicken from one of these logs. You show Maitake. Yes that's possible...

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We would be happy to email you photos of COW that we have grown off our logs. For the purpose of this series we did not show COW as it can take 18-24 months to fully colonize.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Also please note the photo shown in the entrance of the video as that was a log-grown Chicken of the Woods.

[@greghillmusic]

If yall could cultivate COTW you'd have a lot of people interested.

[@femmegem9466]

So don’t buy plugged logs you think?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It depends. If you're getting a pre-inoculated log the seller could have treated the log before inoculation. If the log is well-colonized it shouldn't be a problem, but I would ask their method before buying it.

[@robaldridge6505]

don't set the log on the bottom of the pressure canner, put something under it to keep it off the bottom

[@MicroBugs]

This video doesn't provide enough information at the end. That photo is chicken of the woods naturally growing into the woods!

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It's a three part series- if you're looking for results check here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5SqdZygm7SieMk

[@brianjohnson8834]

I ate that stuff and died