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Mushroom Log Kit

Posted: January 10, 2015
Mushroom Log Kit
$29.95
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They won't be magically delicious, but the mushrooms that grow out of these spore-injected logs will be tasty as shiitake. Williams Sonoma's homegrown mushroom kit features a hand-cut hardwood log filled will little fertilized mushroom eggs that should produce a crop of organic shiitakes every 2 to 3 months for up to 3 years.

Should.

Some reviewers had great and continued success with their DIY mushroom forays and foraging, which others couldn't get a single toadstool to sprout. While the prep process sounds fairly simple--just soak the log in water for 24 hours, and then let your harvest grow--conditions such as dry climates and tainted water can stunt the process and result in barren logs.

The recommendation is to mist logs occasionally once the soaking process is complete, but the type of water used for both of these efforts should be free of all additives (i.e., not from the tap) and preferably freshly collected rain water. Constant interior humidity is also preferable, and Williams Sonoma sells a mushroom dome, or glass cloche, to promote this environment.

For the green thumbs who follow the rules correctly and sing their logs plenty of Michael Buble, you should see fruiting within 16 weeks. Logs measure 12" long and approximately 3" to 6" in diameter, and can be displayed upright or horizontally. They weigh 4 to 7 pounds.

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