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
During ideal conditions, chicken of the woods can expand rapidly, sometimes doubling in size within a 24-hour period! But this speedy growth only represents a portion of their development. To go from initial emergence to a fully mature fruiting body takes closer to 2-3 weeks on average.
Key Factors That Influence Growth Rate
Species: Chicken of the woods mushrooms come in a number of different species, such as Laetiporus sulphureus, L. cincinnatus, and L. gilbertsonii. Different species grow at different rates because they have slightly different nutritional needs and preferred growing conditions. 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 thrive on trees that are dead or dying. The weakened tree cannot resist the spread of the fungus, providing easy access to nutrients. 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 Maturity: Chicken of the Woods mushrooms that are younger and still growing grow bigger than mushrooms that are older and more developed. As the mushroom ages and uses up the nutrients in the log, it grows less quickly.
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
Comparison to Other Mushrooms
Growth rates can vary dramatically between mushroom species. Oyster mushrooms are one of the fastest colonizers, fully expanding in just a few days under suitable conditions. In contrast, hen of the woods can take 9 months or longer to produce a crop. Chicken of the woods falls somewhere in the middle – relatively quick compared to wild wood-loving mushrooms but slower than those grown commercially on supplemented 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. The bright orange on top and the solid yellow on the bottom will make them easy to spot. 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 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. It’s easy to mistake the Jack O’Lantern mushroom, the hairy stereum, the black staining polypore, and the giant polypore 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.
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. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest them when they are still small and have a vibrant orange or yellow color. Finally, chicken of the woods mushrooms usually take two to four weeks to get big enough to pick.
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. Where can I get chicken of the woods spawn? You can purchase chicken of the woods spawn online from various mushroom and spawn suppliers.
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.