wny_forager Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 Hi there! Came across a nice flush of oysters that are intact, fresh growth prob only a few days old (I’ve been keeping my eye on it from afar). I’ve eaten small amounts from this same log earlier this year, it’s oyster and it’s good! Today I went to check out the new growth up close and while they weren’t decaying, there were plenty of bugs and they’re very watery and weak. I wonder if I’m a day or two late. What’s your experience? (Didn’t get a shot of the undersides!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bprzyw Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 I pick the best of them. Was just out yesterday and they were a lot fresher than the earlier ones I was picking. I just make sure the stems are not riddled with worm holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttzop Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 This is a great question and I’ve often wondered the same thing. I tend to push the limits with bugginess and have not experienced issues personally. But the guides always say… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitog Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 The maggots are perfectly edible and can't hurt you. However, they do tend to promote rotting that could cause some problems. I once found a mass fruiting of Shrimp Russulas that were mostly quite mature, and their stems were riddled with maggots. Some animal, probably a bear, had eaten just the stems and left behind all of the caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rondayvous Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 I worry more about rot than bugs. It the oyster is firm and sound I consider the bugs added protein. ;0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wny_forager Posted October 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 I suppose it’s less about eating the bugs (I’m not freaked out about that), and more about wondering if the presence of bugs indicates a certain “best by” time has passed. Haven’t foraged a ton of oyster mushrooms so I don’t have a range of conditions I’ve found them in, not enough to compare how worth it it is to collect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitog Posted October 4, 2021 Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 The presence of maggots tells you nothing about how mature the mushroom is. I've found tiny buttons of King Boletes riddled with maggots when they're still mostly underground. Others are free of maggots even when overmature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wny_forager Posted October 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 I think there’s a new flush there by now — gonna check them out today and test them for cooking. Thanks everybody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wny_forager Posted October 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2021 So after grabbing a ton today, and doing more research to differentiate between oysters and angel wings, I think what I have might be Pleurotus populinus. The color is right, the lack of any stem is right, and I can’t go off telling what wood it’s growing in because I can’t tell. It’s a large fallen trunk that’s elevated up off the ground, and it has a big curve in it, with some large branching. I don’t think it’s a conifer. Edit : i realized there was a ton of inonotus taking over this log along with the oyster (assuming it’s oyster). Apparently inonotus only grows on broadleaf wood so I guess it’s not a conifer ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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