How to Grow Ganoderma

Prized in China and Japan for its medicinal uses, Ganoderma lucidum belongs to a family of fungi called polypores. Polypores have pores, instead of gills, on the lower sides of the fruiting body. Commonly referred to as Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum is distinguishable from other fungi by its shiny red top. Almost extinct in the wild, Ganoderma lucidum is cultured on decaying hardwood logs and stumps. Ganoderma lucidum is an easy-to-grow fungus for the home mushroom-growing enthusiast.

Hardwood log
Drill
Plug spawns
Rubber mallet
Cheese wax
De-chlorinated water
Tub

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the logs in late winter or early spring. Choose thick-barked hardwoods, such as cottonwood, elm or oak. Cut the logs in 3- to 4-foot lengths. Keep the cut logs off the ground.
- 2
  Inoculate the logs two to three months after cutting. Wait until February or March, or after the last snow.
- 3
  Drill 2-inch deep holes. Space the holes 4 to 6 inches apart. One log can hold 30 to 50 plugs. Arrange the holes in a diamond pattern.
- 4
  Insert a plug spawn into each hole. Plug spawns are Ganoderma lucidum-covered hardwood dowel rods. Choose dowel rods that are the same wood as the log.
- 5
  Tap the plug into the log with a rubber mallet. Make sure it is flush, or level, with the log.
- 6
  Seal each hole with cheese wax or beeswax. Seal the ends of the logs with wax.
- 7
  Stack the logs in crisscross piles called “ricks.” Cover the logs with a tarp to retain moisture. Water the logs once or twice a week with de-chlorinated water.
- 8
  Check the logs after 6 to 12 months. Remove a section of bark from around a plug to check for mycelia growth. Remove any logs that don’t show signs of growth or have fungi other than Ganoderma luciduma growing on it.
- 9
  Submerge the logs in a tub of de-chlorinated water for 24 hours. Restack the logs in fence-like rows. Continue watering two to three times a day, or as needed.

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