Mushrooms

Shiitake

Lentinula edodes

Shiitake is slower and more demanding than oyster mushroom: from a kit, the first harvest arrives in 30 to 60 days. It provides lentinan, a beta-glucan studied clinically in Japan for its possible effect on the immune system, and eritadenine, a compound linked to lower LDL cholesterol in studies.

Harvest: Harvest: 30–60 days
Temperature: Temperature: 54–72 °F (12–22 °C)
Difficulty: Difficulty: Advanced

Quick step-by-step

Set up the block or log
Place the enriched substrate block or inoculated log somewhere with diffuse light, between 12 and 22 °C (54–72 °F).
Mist the air
Mist the surroundings 2 to 3 times a day without wetting the block directly.
Give it a cold shock
To trigger fruiting, drop the temperature by 10 °C (18 °F) for 24 to 48 hours: move it outside at night or into the fridge.
Soak it in cold water
Soak the block or log in cold water for 12 to 24 hours to trigger fruiting.
Harvest with the veil still closed
Cut while the partial veil under the cap is still closed.

Common mistakes

Skipping the cold shock
Without dropping the temperature 10 °C (18 °F) for 24 to 48 hours, it won't fruit.
Not controlling sterilization
If substrate sterilization fails, contamination is massive.