I should make a separate post for this but totem method is very easy. You need a 5lb block of sawdust spawn, a hardwood log about 18”-24” and 8” or so in diameter, a way to cut it, a black contractor trash bag and a zip tie. You can also use one of those big paper lawn and leaf bags if you are plastic averse.

First step is to cut 2 2” thick slices off the log so you have 3 pieces in total. Then you take your spawn, break up and scatter half of it in the bottom of the bag, then put the big log on top. Then you take 1/4 of the spawn and put it on top of the big log, stack on a slice, then the last 1/4 of the spawn and finally top with the last log slice. So you have a wood-spawn-wood-spawn-wood double decker sandwich.

You close up the bag and tie it loosely with the zip tie to allow air exchange, then bend over the top so rain can’t get in. This you leave for 3 months or so. It’s best to start in spring or outdoors when the weather is warm, if you want to start in fall you can overwinter indoors (garage works well). If you’re starting in spring you can do it right where you will leave the log long-term, in winter it’s better to start it on a plywood base or something so you can move it easily. I did it on a little roller dolly with cardboard taped across that worked well bc I could roll it out of the way in the garage.

After 3 months you have the stack covered with mycelium and you can just untie the bag and drop it around the log to expose it fully… or move it outside to its final locations. This should be somewhere out of direct sunlight, and close (but not on) the ground. Then from there you just keep an eye out for fruiting bodies after rain.

A big totem will yield for a long time… maybe 5 years or so.