Tiger sawgill (Lentinus tigrinus) sports striking zebra-striped gills and a smoky, nutty flavour that fetches top dollar at farmers’ markets. Happily, this wood-lover grows just as easily as oyster mushrooms—if you dial in the right substrate and fruiting conditions. Follow this beginner-friendly roadmap and your first flush of tiger stripes will roar to life within six weeks.
Why Grow Tiger Sawgill?
- Eye-catching aesthetics – tiger-striped gills and speckled caps boost market appeal.
- Hardy & forgiving – tolerates a wider humidity swing than oysters or shiitake.
- Wood-lover flavour – smoky, umami-rich profile ideal for grilling and stir-fries.
- Fast turnaround – complete cycle in 35–45 days from grain spawn.
Essential Gear & Ingredients
- Tiger sawgill grain spawn (1 L jar or 2 × 1-lb bags)
- Hardwood fuel pellets or fresh sawdust (oak, beech, maple)
- Wheat bran (nutrient boost)
- Large filter patch grow bags (0.2 µm filter)
- Pressure cooker (15 psi)
- 70 % isopropyl alcohol, nitrile gloves, lighter
- Humid fruiting chamber or greenhouse rack with misting
Substrate Recipe (Per 3 kg Wet)
- 1.8 kg hydrated hardwood pellets (or sawdust)
- 300 g wheat bran (≈ 15 %)
- 900 ml water (adjust to reach 60 % moisture—squeeze = 1–2 drops)
Mix dry, add water gradually, load into filter-patch bags, fold tight, and PC 2 hours at 15 psi. Cool overnight.
Step-by-Step Inoculation & Colonisation
1 · Clean Workspace
Sanitise table, gloves and bag surfaces with isopropyl. Work in a still-air box or in front of a flow hood for best results.
2 · Spawn Inoculation
Break up grain spawn. Open the bag briefly, pour in spawn at 10 % rate (300 g spawn per 3 kg substrate). Seal with an impulse sealer or tightly folded neck and zip tie.
3 · Shake & Incubate
Shake the bag to distribute spawn evenly. Incubate in the dark at 23–25 °C (73–77 °F). Tiger sawgill blankets the bag in 10–14 days.
4 · Consolidate
Allow an extra 4–5 days after full white coverage to strengthen the mycelial network.
Fruiting Conditions
- Temp: 18–22 °C (64–72 °F)
- RH: 90 % pinning → 85 % fruiting
- Fresh-air exchanges: 4–6 per hour (or twice-daily manual fanning)
- Light: 8–12 h indirect daylight or 6500 K LEDs
Cut an “X” in the bag or top-fruit by removing the plastic entirely. Mist 2–3 times daily if you lack automated humidity. Pins appear in 5–7 days; harvest when caps are 5–7 cm and gills show bold tiger striping.
Harvest & Subsequent Flushes
Twist-and-pull clusters or cut flush at the base. Soak the block in cold water for 4 hours, drain, and return to the chamber. Expect 2–3 flushes, totalling 80–90 % biological efficiency.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Orange slime on surface – bacteria from excess moisture; dry substrate to 60 % before sterilising.
- Thin caps, long stems – low fresh air; increase FAE or open bag wider.
- Green mould at base – spent block; harvest, soak, and lower humidity to discourage Trichoderma.
- No pins after 10 days – temperature too high; drop to 18–20 °C and reduce CO₂.
Pro Tips for Show-Stopping Stripes
- Add 5 % rice bran to intensify striping and cap pigmentation.
- Score shallow cuts on the block surface pre-fruit to guide cluster placement.
- Chill the fully colonised bag at 4 °C for 24 h to synchronise pinset.
- Harvest right before the cap margin flattens for best texture and shelf life.
Key Takeaways
- Tiger sawgill thrives on hardwood-plus-bran blocks sterilised at 15 psi for 2 hours.
- Colonise warm (23–25 °C), fruit cooler (18–22 °C) with high humidity and plenty of fresh air.
- Expect first pins in under a week and two to three flushes totalling up to 90 % BE.
- Dial in airflow and moisture, and your first-time grow will display spectacular tiger stripes and rich, smoky flavour.
