HAKEKE / WOOD EAR GRAIN SPAWN AND DOWELS
 
Hakeke or NZ wood ear mushrooms (Auricularia novozealandica formerly known as Auricularia cornea) are a unique mushroom which have been eaten as a food in New Zealand for hundreds of years. Close relatives of these fungi are also prized overseas, particularly in Asia, and at one point in time a thriving industry existed based on the export of wild New Zealand wood ear mushrooms to China. These mushrooms are great sliced up in any asian style cuisine ranging from stir frys, soups, broths, hot pot, dumplings and so on. They add an interesting crunchy texture and mild but refreshing flavour to the dish.
 
GRAIN SPAWN:
 
Fully colonised and healthy grain spawn of our selected favourite strain of Hakeke Wood Ear mushroom culture. This strain performs well in New Zealand conditions and is equally as happy on logs outdoors as it is on indoor sawdust / woodchip blocks. One kilogram of spawn is enough to inoculate approximately four sawdust or woodchip blocks (advanced method).
 
For instructions on how to grow shiitake on sawdust blocks using grain spawn, check here: https://www.mycologic.nz/growing-on-blocks
 
1kg Grain Spawn $24.90
2kg Grain Spawn $46.90
3kg Grain Spawn $64.90
Select quantity in options when adding to cart
 
DOWELS:
 
Fully colonised, high quality dowel plugs. Inoculated with our favourite strain of native New Zealand Hakeke / Wood Ear (Auricularia novozealandica). These dowels are perfect for inoculating fresh cut logs of deciduous trees. They especially like soft, white woods like willow, mahoe, pate, poplar etc. This mushroom prefers smaller diameter logs of 8 to 12cm diameter.
 
Simply drill some holes slightly deeper and slightly wider than the dowels, spaced about 15cm apart all around the log, tap them in with a hammer and seal the holes with melted wax. A log generally requires 15-50 dowels, depending on its size.
 
Logs take a year or so to begin fruiting, but after that, they will continue to produce several crops of mushrooms per year (when weather conditions are right) for up to five or six years. They are generally very low maintenance. A humid, shady corner of the garden is perfect for them.
 
Dowels are 8mm wide so a 8.5mm to 9mm drill bit is ideal for drilling the holes for them. Comes with instructions or check out our tips and advice page for more info.
 
Dowels are made from sustainably managed native beech wood.
 
50 Dowels $24.90
100 Dowels $34.90
500 Dowels $134.90
1000 Dowels $239.90
Select quantity when adding to cart