Summer cep (Boletus reticulatus) is a relatively uncommon species that grows mostly in deciduous forests under oaks and beeches and can be very seldom found in the coniferous woods. The mushrooms appear single or in smaller groups. This typically summer fungus is valued for its tender taste with a characteristic nutty flavour and a pleasant, mushroom aroma. It is perfect for soups and sauces, while the young summer ceps may be served as delicious carpaccio.

Young mushrooms of this species are pale, almost white and turn light brown with time. The semicircular caps are matt, velvety and smooth, but their surface starts to crack as they grow and develop. There are white or olive yellow tubes at the bottom. Their flesh is not only delicious, but also firm and thick and does not loose its light colour after slicing and drying.

Using the mycorrhizal mycelium available in our garden store you would be able to harvest these rare mushrooms from your garden. You may plant the spawn anytime from April to late autumn, but bear in mind that the first mushrooms would appear only after 2-3 years. Please remember that different factors, such as humidity, temperature, soil type and the presence of the proper tree species with whom the mycelium lives in symbiosis, may influence the growth and development of the mushrooms.

For summer cep cultures choose a shady spot close to such deciduous trees like common oak, sessile oak, red oak or beech. Mix the contents of the package with 5 litres of peat and 1 litre of wood coal, ashes from a campfire or your fireplace. You may also enrich it with 0.5 litre each of gypsum and vermiculite in order to improve its air-water conditions. Moisten the mycelium mixture and place it into holes dug under tree canopies. Use 0.5 l of mixture per hole, cover with a 5 cm thick soil layer and mulch with tree bark or leaves. The mycelium does not require any special care, apart from watering during drought periods that extend for more than 10-14 days.

There are growing instructions and the sow-by date printed on each package of the mycorrhizal summer cep mycelium.