We're also in MI, and some friends got us interested in doing shitake logs 10 years or so ago. Our first logs we used boxelder and walnut because that's what we've got here on the property. We got zip - nada - for 9 years, though we could see the characteristic white threads growing on the logs. Then last year they surprised us and gave us about 7 beautiful mushrooms. That got us jazzed again, and we started more logs, this time with oak we got from a friend. A month or so back during one of the strange cool rainy periods we've been having this year, they started to fruit. I could see at least 7 buttons, and then - the slugs ate them all! We were also told this year that we should be soaking them in drums or troughs - we picked up a used plastic drum, but haven't used it yet. But it's raining today - will have to check later to see if anything new is happening. So, anyway - Bob, if you can find a way to dunk them, do so. But you still might not see any results till next year - patience.

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help me or at least point me in the right direction. I'm trying my second home mushroom kit and am having some troubles. I grew 3 crops easily on a composite style log last winter. Now I am trying to do a real oak log, shiitake, inside my house. I started it just after the holidays and followed the directions closely for soaking it, misting, etc. but I ended up with an initial crop of only 3 small mushrooms that were hard. I also seem to be getting a fair amount of green and white mold. I initially cleaned the mold off with some vinegar, (I wonder if this is where I went wrong). Anyway, I did some online research and am now dabbing on alcohol to clean off mold. I tried to "let it rest" on a bed of moist soil, but again, it got moldy along the bottom where it was on the soil. Now I have a dry log, mold-free, and want to try to get a harvest out of it at some point, but not sure how to proceed. HELP!

I did in Tampa Bay a few years ago. They were a bit of a pain. I did get a few, but man are they picky. I actually cannot remember what kind they were. I guess that is because I decided to never bother again. that said, if you can get the correct climate, the kits they sell (grow in supplied box, etc) are good. I have done that a few times over the winter and kept the kit in the garage. Got lucky on the temperature and got tons of mushrooms. I grew white button and giant portabella. They were the best tasting mushrooms I have ever had.

There is probably not enough light in your basement, but this might work. We used to raise Shitake Mushrooms on oak sawdust logs in 40% light. All went well for a few years untill we got contaminated with algae. The algae pretty much ruined the logs and the mushrooms. Put a bucket of water outside with a little fertilizer in it or if its too cold put it inside where it will get some light. Or maybe you've got a pool or fish pond thats nice and green. Get a good bucket of slime going then slosh it around the basement where the mushrooms are. Let it work for ahile - week or 2. Then kill the algae with bleach. Good luck ! Regards, Jack