Shock the Log!

We just received our new shiitake mushroom log today from Lost Creek Mushroom Farm.

The log is about 10 inches long, can be kept indoors or out, and will produce shiitake mushrooms for the next 4-5 years every 2 months. The first step is to “shock the log” in ice water for 12-24 hours. Then it might “fruit” for us in the next 2 weeks. However, the directions indicate that many of the logs will not fruit the first time due to rough handling during the shipping process. We can’t wait for our first batch of home-grown shiitakes!