Spawn and Wax Combo - Shiitake Mushrooms Mushroom Mycelium Plug Spawn - 100 Count Plugs - 3oz Wax Grow Edible Gourmet & Medicinal Shitake Fungi On Trees & Logs

So - I'll begin by saying that this is exactly what it claims to be - well-inoculated dowels, some already sort of spawning on their own so you know they are GTG. I write this review to help people know what they need - because while I give this an overall 5 - it does require some planning. 1. Drill bit. So I have a good set of high end bits intended for cutting steel - I figured there would be no issue here. Drilling lots of freshly cut oak wound up snapping my bit after 3-4 holes. Just not the right match. I personally found that concrete drill bits (which I happened to have on hand by chance) was the best option. Definitely creates a lot of heat - so don't rush things. 2. Just a reminder - oak is bloody hard. 3. I personally felt like the amount of wax provided was not enough to seal all of the holes - but these guys are great. I ordered another block of wax for $5? and received it in 3 days. Huzzah. So yeah - I'll update but very confident on the quality overall.

Seems to be very active with mycelium and well packaged.

I ordered from you guys because I am easily persuaded by words. I love to take on a craft and I love when everything is included. Plugs were fine and clearly viable. Wax was wax and I finally go to use my rice cooker. Instructions included were perfect BUT it called for a dauber to apply the melted wax: NO DAUBER. That was the stressful part of the entire operation. I think for an extra $10 for the wax you should have included the dauber. Can't really say how great everything was but I will get back to you in 9 months or so when I hope shitakes pop up all over my logs.. I will probably be back for more. Patricia

The products I received were exactly what the Amazom listing advertized. The package came with a sealed bag containing 100 spawn-coated dowels ready for tapping into the mushroom log. Also in the package was a lump of clear wax for sealing the dowels. The wax melted easily, and I had no trouble applying it to the dowels. Inside the package were clear, concise instructions for getting started. I expect to harvest a bounty of shiitake mushrooms in a few months. Given the retail price of those mushrooms, this purchase was definitely worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Followed the instructions to a T and no results. I have morels growing all over my property and though I would increase production and spread it where wild once grew the previous spring and harvested 8-9 same as previous year leading me to believe they were wild and the spores did nothing

Had these in the fridge a bit too long after ordering them. Forgot I had them to plug. Finally got weather good enough to go out and limb some of the old oak we have on the property and found a perfect live log to drill and start stuffing the plugs. I opened the bag to find hymae and caps already forming! It was almost a shame to stuff the plugs with caps in to all the holes and wax them. My only reservation was the wax and applying it. It's difficult to apply both being because it's so hot to handle and, don't try using a small spoon. Use some kind of dauber or small paint brush to apply. Remember it's only a 5/16" hole and the wax cools quickly when applied. It makes a bit of a mess but worked. Now it's wait and see but I'm very hopeful considering what I saw just growing in the plugs. Time will tell now as they are in fresh oak. Don't forget! Once you apply these to a log, give the log a good drop in the ground or smack the end very hard with a hammer. This simulates the branch falling which tells the fungi that the tree fell to the ground and is dying. It signals the mycelium to start eating. Check it out!

I have them in the refrigerator waiting to get my logs ready. Need to drill some holes. Thanks

I think the mushroom log experience is so much fun. I usually do it with a friend, and it's always a memorable time. The logs usually last for years and fruit many times over that period. You can see the flushes getting weaker and weaker, so you can predict when it will end. Here is a picture of some shiitake mushrooms that I got from this seller's plugs. I've also done oyster and I have some chicken of the woods going right now (haven't flushed for the first time yet though). You have to be patient, it takes *at least* 6 months before they will fruit. It's a fun project and a good value for the money.