How Fast Do Chicken of the Woods Grow?
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are a delicious edible fungus that grows on trees. Their bright orange color and chicken-like texture make them a prized find for foragers. But how fast do these fascinating fungi actually grow? In this article, we’ll explore the growth rate of chicken of the woods and the factors that influence their speed of development.
Understanding Growth TimeframesOn average, chicken of the woods takes between 2-4 weeks to grow to maturity and reach harvestable size. However, the exact timeframe can vary quite a bit based on the mushroom’s species, age, environmental conditions, and host tree health The fastest growth often occurs in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and moisture is abundant
In the best conditions, chicken of the woods can grow very quickly—sometimes doubling in size in just 24 hours! But this fast growth is only a part of their development. On average, it takes about two to three weeks for a plant to grow from its first sprout to a fully grown fruiting body.
Key Factors That Influence Growth Rate
Species
There are several species of chicken of the woods mushrooms, including Laetiporus sulphureus, L. cincinnatus, and L. gilbertsonii. Subtle differences in their nutritional needs and preferred growing conditions lead to variations in growth rates between species. For example, L. sulphureus may reach maturity a bit faster than L. cincinnatus.
Environmental Conditions
Warm, humid weather tends to accelerate growth. Ideal fruiting temperatures range between 60-80°F. Extended cold snaps or drought conditions can slow or stop development. Good air circulation is also important to prevent mold growth.
Tree Health: Chicken of the Woods likes trees that are dying or dead. The weak tree can’t stop the fungus from spreading, so nutrients can easily get to it. Healthier trees with more vigorous defenses restrict fungal growth.
Access to Nutrients: The mushroom needs to be able to get to the sugars, proteins, and other nutrients in the rotting wood. A wider range of rot and decomposition provides an easy-to-find food source for fast growth.
Mushroom MaturityYounger, actively growing chicken of the woods expand faster than older, more developed ones As the mushroom ages and depletes the nutrients in the log, expansion slows.
Ideal Harvesting Time
Recognizing the prime stage for harvesting ensures you pick the chicken of the woods when they are at their best for eating. Here are a few signs of optimal maturity:
- Bright, vibrant orange color
- Firm, tender texture (not tough or woody)
- Moist porous underside
- Abundant fruiting across log
Compared to Other Mushrooms: Different types of mushrooms can grow at very different rates. When conditions are right, oyster mushrooms can fully grow in just a few days, making them one of the fastest colonizers. On the other hand, it can take 9 months or longer for hen of the woods to grow a crop. Chicken of the woods is in the middle; it grows pretty quickly compared to wild mushrooms that like wood, but it grows more slowly than mushrooms that are grown in stores on sawdust blocks.
Cultivation Can Accelerate Growth
Using optimized substrates and a controlled environment enables some acceleration of growth rate. However, even under cultivation, chicken of the woods growth is limited compared to species adapted to agricultural production. Patience and managing expectations are still required!
The Takeaway
While chicken of the woods can expand rapidly for brief periods, reaching full maturity typically takes 2-4 weeks on average. The most important factors influencing the growth rate include species, environment, tree health, mushroom maturity, and nutrient availability. With ideal conditions, these fascinating fungi can deliver a bountiful harvest. Just be sure to capture them at their prime!
White Pored Sulphur ShelfAnother variety of chicken of the woods is White pored Sulphur Shelf (Laetiporus cincinnatus). This variety is slightly less common than the yellow pored version. This Chicken of the woods variation has a white underside instead of yellow. It also forms at the base of hardwood trees rather than as a shelf mushroom. The color of white pored chicken of the woods is more of a peach color than the other variety. It forms in more of a round rosette shape instead of a horizontal shelf.
Chicken of the Woods Life Cycle
Chicken of the Woods is one of most common and abundant mushrooms in the summer forest. In one summer week alone, I found 50 pounds of this delicious mushroom. These mushrooms have a similar texture and taste to chicken.
Chicken of the woods(Laetiporus Sulfureus) starts growing as yellow and orange nodes on hardwood trees and Logs. The mushroom is most common on oak trees, but it grows on other trees as well.
After a day or two, the nodes will start to form little chicken fingers. At this point, the mushrooms can be picked, but it’s best to wait until they get fleshy.
Mature Chicken of the Woods will form in these large, often multi layered shelves. They will be easily identified by the bright orange on top and the solid yellow color on the underside. They have small, barely visible pores on the bottom. It is best to harvest early at this stage because the mushrooms get tough and chewy as they get older.
HOW FAST DOES CHICKEN OF THE WOODS GROW…AND A NEW RECIPE
FAQ
How long does a chicken of the woods mushroom take to grow?
As they continue to mature, the texture becomes tougher and less desirable to eat. So, the best time to pick them is when they are still small and have a bright orange or yellow color. In conclusion, chicken of the woods mushrooms typically take around 2 to 4 weeks to reach a harvestable size.
How long does chicken of the woods take to grow?
The growth rate of chicken of the woods can vary depending on environmental conditions and the age of the spawn used. Usually, it takes between 6 and 12 months for the mushroom to fully take over the stump or log and start making fruiting bodies. Can I grow chicken of the woods indoors?.
How to grow chicken of the woods?
Avoid using logs from coniferous trees like pine or spruce, as they may not be conducive to the growth of this mushroom. Red oak, bur oak, and white oak are the best options. Choose healthy, living trees or branches for Chicken of the Woods cultivation.
How do you grow chicken of the woods spawn?
Cut the log or stump and inoculate it with chicken of the woods spawn. Keep the log or stump in a shaded and humid area, and water it regularly. The mushroom should start growing within a few months. How do I get chicken of the woods spawn? You can buy chicken of the woods spawn online from a number of mushroom and spawn sellers.
Do Chicken of the woods mushrooms grow on trees?
Young chicken of the woods looks like yellow blobs on a tree Chicken of the Woods mushrooms almost exclusively grow on hardwood tree species, such as oak and green ash. Avoid using logs from coniferous trees like pine or spruce, as they may not be conducive to the growth of this mushroom. Red oak, bur oak, and white oak are the best options.
What temperature do Chicken of the woods mushrooms grow?
Maintaining Temperature and Humidity: Chicken of the Woods mushrooms thrive in warm and humid conditions. The ideal temperature range for growth is around 70-85°F (21-29°C). It is essential to monitor and regulate the temperature and humidity levels to provide optimal conditions for mycelial colonization and mushroom fruiting.
How long does it take for chicken of the woods to grow?
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms fruit the summer approximately 1 year after burying. The logs can fruit for many years, so continue to check back year after year. To harvest, simply pull and twist mushrooms off while they are still plump, otherwise they will dry and get too woody.
Should I remove chicken of the woods from my tree?
Since chicken of the woods is a sign of severely decayed wood, once it has appeared it’s likely that irreversible damage has already been done to the tree. Most people will harvest the mushroom to eat, but the tree should be tested for soundness. If the tree is decayed severely, removal may be necessary.
What can be mistaken for chicken of the woods?
The Chicken of the Woods mushroom is a favorite among foragers, but it has several toxic look-alikes. The Jack O’Lantern mushroom, hairy stereum, black staining polypore, and giant polypore are all species that can be easily mistaken for Chicken of the Woods.
How to tell the age of chicken of the woods?
The mushrooms tend to be very vibrant when young, and fade as they age. You will want to get them when they are young, as they are the most tender. As they age, they tend to get tough and filled with bugs.