Shiitake mushrooms

[hjmoosejaw]

Toward the end of last Summer, my dad and I inoculated a couple Oak logs with Shiitake mushroom spawn. Two of the three we did are having their first flush right now. A couple dozen mushrooms so far. I think their first flush is lighter. They are a gourmet mushroom, excellent eating. Anyway, I feel like a proud papa. LOL Below, is a video that shows how it is done.

http://youtu.be/2369npAmYJo

Also, I have been walking in the woods, looking for "Hen of the Woods" mushrooms. (Sheepsheads) Found about 5 so far. Man, those are excellent eating too. I'll try to post a file pic , or video.

http://youtu.be/WILvQX60ZJo

Hen Of the Woods, also called Maitake. Maitake is Japanese for Dancing Mushroom, cause when you find one, you feel like dancing. 

[JohnyMac]

I have been wanting to learn about collection shrums. Great job hj!

[hjmoosejaw]

I just sparked an interest, a couple years ago. I'm still a novice. I heard somebody say one time, ( because it is overwhelming, impossible even, trying to learn them all ) "You don't have to learn them all, just learn the ones that you are looking for."  That's what I do, because, different times of the year, certain ones pop out. Those are the ones I'm looking for. Usually, each type can only be found in a window of a few weeks, even a month or two, then, they're gone till next year. I can positively identify a handful of different types. Then I just ignore the rest. As I go, I'll learn more. It helps if some of your favorites don't have any look-alikes, harmful ones anyway.  Here in Pa., the "Hen of the Woods" and the "Chicken of the Woods" are what a lot of shroomers are looking for, now through, like Oct- Nov.?  The "Chicken" has no look-alikes, and the "Hen" has no Harmful look-alike. Both are EXCELLENT eating. Below, is a short video that shows both. They like Oak trees. Next time you're out in the woods, keep an eye open. The guy in the video is LUCKY!

http://youtu.be/7inp5z9GHpE