How to Grow Miatake Mushrooms

Cut and prepare the mushroom log. Before you can start growing miatake mushrooms, you'll need to obtain a log or several sturdy, thick branches that can be trimmed down into short cylinders. Since miatake mushrooms grow naturally on oak trees, this wood is the best choice for your growing project. Allow the wood to dry for approximately two months before continuing with the planting procedure.

Drill holes into the top of the log (or branch) as it's positioned upright on one end. Drill holes that are one and one-quarter inch deep, spacing them six to eight inches apart. Fill the top of the log with these holes, maintaining the spaces, until the entire area is covered.

Fill the holes with miatake plugs. Planting is best done in early spring, as miatake mushrooms bloom in late summer and early fall. Plugs, from which the mushrooms grow, can be obtained from garden stores. Use a wooden mallet to tamp down each plug until it's flush with the surface of the log.

Cover each plug with a layer of cheese wax. This material can be obtained through many online retailers. To melt the wax, simply place it in a standard frying pan on a low heat. Slowly brush or baste the wax onto each miatake plug to create a protective seal.

Bury the log in the ground, placing it just below the surface level of the soil. You want to keep the miatake mushrooms out of direct sunlight, so choose a well-shaded area. Hardy miatake mushrooms should grow well on their own with little attention after planting. The harvest should be ready by fall.