I want to learn to identify and forage for mushrooms and possibly propagate my own, but currently, on a knowledge scale of 0-10 about mushrooms, I rate about a -1. Someone suggested I learn how mushrooms "work" by raising a mushroom log, so here is my current attempt. We are on Day 2 of a shitake mushroom log. I did not learn until AFTER I received the log (via mail order) that shitakes don't like the heat (as we hit about the tenth day of 95+F heat), so I have the A/C going in my bedroom just to keep the log happy. I am thinking foraging doesn't work this way. I don't have wild Shitake around here, but I am hoping that some of those monsters I find in my planters are edible and can be encouraged. Unfortunately, the weather around here is very hot and dry this time of year, so the likelihood of finding anything in the wild is pretty slim, and I don't know how much time/research it would take for me to feel comfortable trying to eat any fungus that I found. But we all have to start somewhere, I guess. I soaked my mushroom log (as per enclosed instructions) for 2 hours, and I currently have it in an old Sterilite container that used to house Armadillium vulgare (aka pill bugs), so it has ventilation. I have an old reptile fogger running to keep the log moist but the lid askew a bit to keep air moving through. The whole contraption is sitting near a window that gets diffuse light all day, a bit brighter in the afternoon. Now we wait.... If any of you are veteran mushroom wranglers, and you can give me any advice for success, I am all ears!
hi there and welcome ! well,, first of all do not eat anything that pops up in your planters ! could be your last meal ! try to find someone who is experienced to teach you the edible types and those that could make you very ill if not kill you !
Thanks, Mart, No worries there. I am not adventurous/stupid enough to eat anything that I can't identify. I am even nervous about eating weeds that I know, and those grow on my property, where I know they haven't been sprayed. Probably goes back to a bad dandelion experience....
well,, i have been known to make a meal of dandelion greens and cornbread ! and being in ne texas,, poke greens are a staple in the spring !
I keep trying dandelions, but even the baby ones are so bitter, I can't handle them. I even tried dandelion honey, and it was disgusting. I do like young star thistle, cooked like asparagus, and it a good way to dispose of an invasive weed!
i cant imagine dandelions being bitter unless its well into the summer when picked ! they are usually very mild ! of course there are look a like plants !
No, these were def dandelions. Everyone says that, but I must have some gnarly ones out here. The only things that like them are the bees.
Yes CM ! There are some that have the same leaf and growing configurations but are 6 feet tall ! the ones you want to eat are less than 6 inches tall ! the others will not make you ill but likely do not taste good !
