woodensubstrate

Wooden substrate, also referred to as wood-based substrate, is a growing medium derived from wood materials such as logs, sawdust, wood chips, shavings, and other wood fibers. It provides a carbon-rich organic base composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. In many cases the substrate has low readily available nitrogen and may be supplemented to suit the target organism or crop. Wood substrates can be used in whole form (log blocks) or in processed forms, depending on the species and cultivation method.

The most common use is in fungal cultivation. A wide range of edible and medicinal mushrooms can grow on wood-based media, including oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus). Preparation often involves reducing competing microbes through pasteurization or sterilization, followed by inoculation with mushroom spawn and a period of colonization before fruiting. Wood substrates can also serve as rooting media or components of soil-less growing systems in horticulture, particularly for species that tolerate or require lignocellulosic materials.

Advantages of wooden substrates include relatively wide availability, renewability, and good porosity for gas exchange and moisture retention. They can support robust mycelial networks and, after use, may be composted or incorporated into soil to recycle nutrients. Limitations include variability in wood composition and moisture-holding properties, the need for proper pasteurization or sterilization to prevent contamination, and slower or inconsistent colonization for some species compared with specialized synthetic or enriched substrates.

Overall, wooden substrates are versatile materials used primarily for mushroom cultivation and other horticultural applications, valued for sustainability and compatibility with natural, organic growth processes.