Organic Blue Oyster Mushroom Plug Spawn
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 6-12 months |
Fruiting temps | 55-75°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Blue Oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus) are a fast colonizer with a strong bluish-gray hue. They produce richly umami-flavored mushrooms with a soft, meaty texture that pairs well with most dishes.
As our most productive oyster strain, they are reliable, cold-tolerant, and fruit prolifically in early spring or late fall. Blue oyster mushrooms also work well with the log, stump, and totem methods.
Note: Dowel may be fluted or spiral. Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Blue Oyster wood chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Aspen, Cottonwood, Tuliptree, Willow |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Ailanthus, Alder, Basswood, Beech, Birch, Box Elder, Buckeye, Chinese Tallow, Elm Hackberry, Hophornbeam, Hard Maple, Soft Maple, Mulberry, Palm, Pear, Sassafrass, Sweetgum, Sycamore |
AVOID | Ash, Hemlock, Oak |
Ideal project size:
Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects of 1-10 logs, though some log cultivators will use them for larger projects.
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.
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To grow on logs using plug spawn, you will need a Drill Bit, Log Sealing Wax, and Wax Daubers.
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Click here to download our pamphlet on growing mushrooms on logs, stumps, and totems.
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Blue oyster works well with the log, stump, or totem method. Colonization is fast and may start producing in 4-12 months, though fruitation is dependent on environmental triggers. They fruit best in the spring and fall and prefer softer hardwoods such as poplar and aspen, though they will also work on maple. For our complete plug spawn pamphlet, click here.
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If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
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Blue oysters can easily replace button mushrooms in most recipes and pair well with many cuisines and flavors. Like all oyster mushrooms, they retain water and may develop a viscous texture when undercooked. If you prefer a firm or dryer texture, continue to cook blue oysters until their liquid has reduced and cooked off and they begin to brown.
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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.
*Recommendations are based on our own testing. You may have different results experimenting with other wood species.
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Great product
I inoculated alder logs a little over a month ago and, the early growth is amazing! Such an easy project once you have your logs. I had a few extra plugs so I used them on a couple small logs 2" round by 6' long and,those are already covered in mycillum on the ends. I'm having fun with this and, just ordered sawdust spawn to grow in buckets. North spore is where I will get EVERYTHING I need for mushroom growing! Thanks for all you do, the products and, education are top notch
North Spore
Your review made our day, Thomas! Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Fast and great!
I received my plug spawn super fast and the plugs were already colonizing very nicely. Thanks for the great service and product!
North Spore
We really appreciate your support, Scotty! If you need help with anything, please reach out.
Great on Arrival
I've ordered from other sources, and the appearance of North Spore's plug spawn exceeds my previous experiences. The plugs were extremely "fuzzy" with active spawn. The instructions were also superior to other sources. The included booklet was professional and I learned a lot (about what I did wrong) on previous attempts at log cultivation. Hopefully, in six to twelve months, I'll be able to report abundant mushroom growth.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Cara! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. If you have any questions along the way, our team is here to help!
Wait and see
I made a total of eight logs with both the blue oyster and shiitake mushroom wooden dowel plugs. We will have to wait and see how they do over the next few years.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Joel! Our team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Log inoculation
Easy to use . Gonna take a while for them to grow.
North Spore
Thanks, Michael! The team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Log inoculation
Easy to use . Gonna take a while for them to grow.
Great for beginners, very rewarding
Easy peasy. Did a 500ct a few years ago on poplar logs in southern Vermont and have got several flushes. Just ordered a 1000ct bag to expand.
Got the Blue oyster and Shiitake plugs
I live in Minnesota and got the blue oyster and Shiitake plugs to try. First time trying to grow mushrooms and Northspore made it so easy. It came in a small box with instructions and tips for successful mushroom growing. I got the wax and daubers too and used a crockpot to melt the wax. The whole process was easy and doable for a beginner. I’m very excited to see the results.
Blue Oyster, Shitake and Golden Oyster Plug Spawn
My wife and I are beginners in this adventure. Very excited to receive the Mycelium and watch them develop into delicious mushrooms. Can't wait to get the end product of delicious mushrooms. I hope to attempt some of the more challenging mushrooms in the future!
Blue Oyster plugs, Lion's Mane spawn, and Shiitake plugs...
I am just a beginner, but I've ordered a couple of times now and have been very pleased. They have been quick to respond to my questions, were quick with info about shipping, and they delivered on their promises. So far, I've purchased their Blue Oyster plugs, Lion's Mane (sawdust/millet) spawn, and Shiitake plugs, each of which came with clear inoculation instructions. Each of the products, too, were very clean, carefully packed, and exhibited lots of healthy mycelial growth. I will order from them again—thinking about Blewits next! :-)