NORTH SPORE Chicken of the Woods
Outdoor Log Growing Kit
Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) produces large, bright orange, multi-layered fruiting bodies with a texture reminiscent of chicken. When cooked, these mushrooms are juicy, succulent, and meaty with a mild, lemony aroma. Chicken of the woods can be difficult to cultivate, and is therefore recommended for enthusiast growers who have had some success with other more advanced species or are looking to experiment and try new methods.
Because chicken of the woods is not a strong competitor, it requires a different cultivation strategy. Inoculation works best when logs are steam sterilized, incubated and colonized in filter patch bags, then removed from bags and partially buried in a shaded spot.
Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Each outdoor kit contains:
- A drill bit
- Log sealing wax
- A wax applicator
- 100ct plug spawn voucher
- Instruction guide
That's not mold, it's mycelium!
Your kit includes plug spawn colonized with mushroom mycelium. It may appear covered with a soft, white, mold-like substance - that's the mushroom mycelium! It is completely normal. The mycelium of some species is more prominent than others.
Kit with voucher:
Ordering a log kit with a voucher allows you to redeem your plug spawn at a later date. Vouchers make a great gift and are good for projects beyond a 3 month start date.
Inoculation:
Chicken of the woods does best in oak logs. After colonization period in filter patch bags above ground, logs should be partially buried under 2 inches of top soil. The mushrooms will fruit from logs and emerge out of the soil.
It should be noted that chicken of the woods is prone to being out competed by other fungi and is not a reliable producer without first treating your logs. To limit variables we strongly suggest you sterilize 8" by 8" segments of oak log in a pressure cooking or steam sterilizer before inoculation and incubate your log segments for a few months in sealed filter patch bags until they are completely colonized. Remove them from the bag and partially burying them in a shady location. (You can sterilize your log segments in a 22 qt or larger pressure cooker such as an All-American.)
For our complete plug spawn pamphlet, click here.
Storing:
If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
Cooking:
Be sure to harvest chicken of the woods mushrooms when young to avoid a brittle texture. When cooked, they have a meaty, slightly lemony, flavor with a texture similar to chicken. The tougher outer pieces are best dried and used in soups or risottos or ground down to make rubs. The more tender, center pieces are delicious when sauteed with garlic, onions, salt, and olive oil. (A splash of white wine is nice, too!)
Cautions & Considerations:
If you’re going to consume home-grown mushrooms, make sure to cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly with heat. If it is your first time eating this species, it is best to start with a small amount to check for allergies, even if cooked.
