Growing Shiitake Mushrooms

Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms has become even more popular in recent years, yet they have been used for both their medicinal and culinary value for thousands of years, especially in Asian cultures. The shiitake mushrooms are the third most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world behind the oyster and button mushrooms, with the American market increasing the fastest. These dark brown, umbrella shaped mushrooms are a very popular protein source in Japan, as well as being a major staple in China's diet.

The shiitake mushroom has been grown commercially in the US for over 25 years and is becoming more and more popular in the gourmet markets. They have been used in vegetarian dishes as a meat substitute because of their meaty texture and full bodied flavor. These organic mushrooms wholesale for about $5.00 to $9.00 a pound and those who grow them will normally receive about $5.00 to $7.00 for well formed and fresh mushrooms.

For those interested in growing all natural mushrooms as a source of income, the shiitake mushrooms are a great way to go as they can be grown using artificial growing conditions, or in wild-simulated conditions. If you are considering a smaller scale operation, then wild-simulated are probably your best bet using white oak logs in a shaded forest type setting. Those who run a larger production company will generally use a compressed grain/sawdust blend log or block for their growth medium and use indoor environments for actual growing. Most often this requires more of a capital investment due to the special equipment, sawdust logs and the necessary climate controlled growing locations.

A shady location is needed to stack and store the logs and the growing area needs enough area to be able to move the logs, load the trucks and perform any other operations that are necessary to the production of the organic mushrooms. At least 60% shade is needed, which is why hardwood and pine tree forests are good, as the hardwoods provide shade during the hot months and the pines provide continuous shade.

There are also risks involved with producing shiitake mushrooms, as there are with any other mushrooms. Any type of hot and dry extended period means that extra water and moisture will be needed or you'll run the risk of having an inferior product and a low crop yield. Of course you also stand a chance of facing marketing challenges.

Related topics about shiitake mushrooms
Maitake Mushrooms
The maitake mushroom also has another unique quality. When taken orally, it has the highest rate of effectiveness of any of the other mushrooms used for medicinal purposes. Before that time, research had shown that products such as the reishi mushroom extract were best administered by injection.

Cordyceps Mushroom Variety
It has been said that this mushroom was discovered in the pastures of the Tibetan mountains over 1,500 years ago, after noting that the animals that grazed there became more energetic after consuming this medicinal fungi. After that it was considered an energy tonic in the Orient and now modern studies and research have just begun to reveal the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms such as these. It has been shown that the benefits to the glands result in an increase in the body's energy level.

Reishi Mushrooms
The reishi is a non toxic mushroom that can be eaten in several different forms on a daily basis, with no adverse side effects and with many good health benefits, according to experts. Reishi fungi are comprised of mainly complex carbohydrates that are water soluble and include proteins, amino acids and triterpeniods. It is said that when consumed regularly, this mushroom helps to ensure all of the body's organs are functioning normally and helps to restore and maintain the body in a natural state.