Here is where you can order mushroom dowel spawn for making mushroom grow logs (as well as on individual species pages). We produce our mushroom dowels to the highest laboratory standards, using premium quality cultures which are unique to MycoLogic. Our strains represent years of research and development in sourcing and trialing strains in various conditions to select the top mushroom genetics.
All dowels are sent fully colonised and ready to use, and undergo a quality control check prior to dispatch. Dowels should be kept refrigerated until use (for up to 2 months). Dowels come in different quantity options including 50, 100, 500 and 1000. An average mushroom log 15cm wide by 80-100cm long usually need around 25 dowels. Different species of mushroom mycelium will look different on dowels. Some is thick and white whereas others are more wispy, and mycelium can rub off of the outside of the dowels during packaging and transit - but this will not affect the functionality of the dowels.
Species Available:
- Native Phoenix Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius)
- Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
- Native NZ Shiitake (Lentinula novae-zelandiae)
- Tawaka (Cyclocybe parasitica)
- Pekepeke-kiore (Hericium novae-zealandiae)
- Wild Enoki (Flammulina velutipes)
- Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
- Hakeke 'Wood Ear' (Auricularia novozealandica)
- Brown Oyster (Pleurotus australis)
- Artist's Conk (Ganoderma sp)
Mushroom logs ususally take at least a year to produce their first crop, but can continue cropping for several years after that when environmental conditions are right. The specific amount of time it takes depends on multiple factors such as the species of mushroom, the size and type of log, and how well it's cared for (hydrating / soaking the logs is key!). Dowel spawn comes with full printed instructions. You can also check out our online instructional for growing mushrooms on logs in our grow guides section. We also supply other materials used in making mushroom grow logs, such as the right size of drill bits, bees wax and wax daubers for applying the melted wax to cap off the dowels. Note: Orders of 200 or 500 dowels may occasionally incur a short lead-time depending on stock levels. Smaller packs can generally be sent straight away.
NATIVE PHOENIX OYSTER (Pleurotus pulmonarius)
A classic, easy-to-grow mushroom. This is a native strain of this species, which differs from the commonly available commercial asian cultivars in that it grows more solid, robust mushrooms which have a deeper flavour.
Substrate: Can grow on a wide range of wood types
SHIITAKE (Lentinula edodes)
A popular mushroom around the world and especially in asian cuisine featuring complex umami flavours and robust meaty texture.
Substrate: Hardwoods including Oak, Beech, Birch, Maple / Sycamore, Eucalyptus
NATIVE NZ SHIITAKE (Lentinula novae-zelandiae)
Aotearoa's own native shiitake. This mushroom is similar in texture and flavour to asian shiitake, with slightly darker and more red-brown hued colouration.
Substrate: Hardwoods including Oak, Beech, Birch, Maple / Sycamore, Eucalyptus
TAWAKA (Cyclocybe parasitica)
This unique and delicious native mushroom can grow to a large size with a fantastic savoury flavour and robust texture.
Substrate: Fast growing hardwoods including poplar, willow and elder
PEKEPEKE-KIORE / NZ LIONS MANE (Hericium novae-zealandiae)
A native cousin to the internationally famous 'Lion's Mane' mushroom. Pekepeke-kiore is a delicious mushroom with a unique sweet but umami flavour and desirable texture and packing a hefty nutritional punch as well.
Substrate: Dense hardwoods including oak, beech, birch, poplar, maple / sycamore. This species commonly takes at least two if not three years to fruit from logs.
WILD ENOKI (Flammulina velutipes)
A wild NZ bush strain of the well known enoki mushroom. The slender golden mushrooms enjoy fruiting in cooler growing conditions.
Substrate: Grows on most types of woods except for conifers
TURKEY TAIL (Trametes versicolor)
Turkey tail is grown to be brewed into teas or made into extracts and tinctures for its well researched beneficial effects on the immune system.
Substrate: Grows on most types of wood.
HAKEKE / WOOD EAR (Auricularia novozealandica)
A native species of a family of mushrooms which are found around the world and popular in asian cuisine for their crunchy texture and nutritive properties.
Substrate: Thrives on thinner branches (8-12cm) of softer wooded trees like willow, poplar, mahoe etc.
BROWN OYSTER (Pleurotus australis)
An oyster mushroom species which is native to both Australia and New Zealand. It fruits in warmer seasons and doesn't require massively high humidity levels.
Substrate: Most commonly found in the wild on dead or dying trunks of gorse, kanuka and pohutakawa, has also been known to fruit from pine.
ARTIST'S CONK (Ganoderma sp.)
A native cousin of the internationally renowned 'Reishi' mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) but with a growth habit more similar to the conk type ganodermas found in temperate climates, such as Ganoderma applanatum. These native species have not yet been named.
Substrate: Grows on most kinds of wood. Prefers larger diameter logs. Can take several years until harvest.
