Shiitake Mushroom Log Manual Inoculation Method (4-Person Team)

Team Setup (4-Person Division)

• 1 person: Disinfection & hole punching (responsible for log disinfection and drilling)
• 2 person: Inoculation (responsible for spawn placement and pressing)
• 3 person: Bagging & sealing (responsible for outer bagging and sealing)
• 4 person: Handling & stacking (responsible for log arrangement and placement)

1. Disinfection & Hole Punching

• Wipe the shiitake mushroom logs with 75% alcohol in one direction (do not wipe back and forth) for disinfection.
• Use a punch to drill evenly spaced holes on the log: 1.5cm in diameter, 2cm in depth, and the holes should be close to both ends of the log to facilitate mycelium growth and reduce contamination.
• It is recommended to use an electric drill or angle grinder with an inoculation bit (several times more efficient than manual punching), which is suitable for batch operation.
• Optional: 5-hole double-sided inoculation (3 holes on one side, 2 on the other) can shorten the mycelium growth cycle, but attention should be paid to controlling contamination.

2. Inoculation Operation

• Disinfect hands with 75% alcohol before operation to avoid bacterial contamination.
• Take the spawn and break it into a wedge shape (pointed at one end, flat at the other), and insert one piece into each hole (one spawn piece per hole).
• Press the spawn firmly to make it fit closely with the log hole, and ensure the spawn protrudes 3-5mm from the log surface (nail-cap shape), which is conducive to mycelium germination.
• Operate quickly to minimize the exposure time of the log holes and reduce the risk of contamination.

3. Bagging & Sealing

• After inoculation, put the logs into the outer bag (the outer bag is waterproof and moisture-proof to protect the spawn).
• Tie the bag mouth with a loose knot (not too tight to facilitate ventilation), which is convenient for subsequent mycelium breathing and growth.
• If there is no outer bag, use special tape to seal the holes to prevent miscellaneous bacteria from entering.

4. Handling & Stacking

• Film-covered inoculation: Stack the logs in a straight line, with the holes facing upward, and cover the top layer with newspaper to avoid light (mycelium is afraid of light).
• Bagged inoculation: Stack in a "well" shape (4 logs per layer), with the holes facing sideways to avoid hypoxia or waterlogging caused by pressure.
• Stack height: 10-11 layers, double-row stacking for stability; leave 20cm between stacks for ventilation and heat dissipation.
• Leave 40-50cm walkways between stacks for log inspection and temperature adjustment.

Key Notes

• The entire operation should be carried out in a clean environment to avoid cross-contamination.
• Spawn and logs should be disinfected strictly to ensure the survival rate of mycelium.
• The operation process should be fast and standardized to reduce the exposure time of the spawn and log holes.