Mycelium Standing

Shiitake and I have a daily routine.  In the morning after my shower, I give it a little list down.  I’ve been keeping it near the radiator in the hopes of keeping it fairly warm but not too dry.  It requires a misting at least twice a day with spring water not distilled water.  (Apparently, the minerals are important for the health of the mushroom.)  So far the exterior is darkening as it shows in the instructions I received with the patch.  Eventually the surface blisters and white cracks form which is the early formation of the mushrooms.  Still waiting patiently for these blisters to appear.

In the meantime, I have been considering asking my cousin Patrick to create a shiitake recipe specifically for my homegrown mushrooms.  He’s a brilliant chef that has recently left the profession due to a rare fungal disease that resulted in long term health problems.  It seems like an interesting proposition for exploring the relations of humans and fungus as sometimes beneficial and sometimes pathogenic.