I would like to start growing Morels in my woods. I see all these kits for sale. Most of them have poor reviews. Have any of you ever tried them with any luck?

My thought is, if they could grow in your woods they would already be there. I would love to be wrong.

They are sure a mysterious little creature.

Many times the year after I cut down a standing dead cottonwood to run through the chimney the ground is covered with morels. Some say it’s spores trapped in the bark that finally hit the ground. Others say it’s the extra sun that hits the ground and wakes up spores that are already there. Not sure what it is but I’m sure it’s a real thing.

save your money

Based on the reviews I've seen, you're probably right.

If kits really worked we could just grab them from the produce section of the store.

My friend Don Greider hung mesh bags of morels, he picked from all over, including other states, in his woods, in good spots. He ended up with different varieties that I've never seen anywhere else in Ohio and much better production. Even years where the local morels were nearly nonexistent, he had a good crop, because there was always at least a few different strains he introduced, that liked the conditions.

I'm going morel hunting with a friend of mine tomorrow.

Keith

Last year I found a few in my woods. IMO, they are the best tasting mushroom I've ever eaten. Is there a special way to pick them so they keep coming back in that spot?

Some say to cut them off at ground level rather than pulling them out. I think the most common thought is to carry them in a mesh bag as you hunt so you spread spores while you walk/pick.

Sadly, I never find enough to use a mesh bag.

HA! I hear ya. Flood brought in a bunch of new sand here a few years ago, they’re just starting to come back. If you have a few, all it takes is the perfect storm one year and you should have a bunch. I don’t know what exactly the perfect storm is, but it happens here about once every 4-5 years.

I have found a few out back of the big barn, but left them to spread and grow, only to have them disappear?????

If you could grow them at will, in a controlled environment , so you had them year around, you'd be a billionaire.

I struck out morel hunting today. I found 5 white ramps. I found a male box turtle emerging from a hole in a damp area. I checked him out and put him back. Some of the gooseberry bushes were starting to bloom.

Keith

I went out for a walk on our place for a couple of hours, no morels yet. Found a patch of Ramps and some fiddle backs.

We found some wee tiny ones up the mountains. Half a thimble size, will go back out this Wednesday on my half day to hopefully collect

It is previous years forest fires that seem to bring them on here but most of you guys know that . Happy hunting .

I think almost everything in the woods will eat them. I know deer and mice make short work of them.

Still a bit early here on our river. They usually coincide with the lilac bloom or wild violet bloom here.

I know turkeys will eat them.
Found a fresh one in the middle of a clear turkey scratch spot.
Must of found one and scratched enough to let other one grow.

Here people claim you need dead rotting elms, but I know a guy that has several rotting elms and not one morel, he can go about 300 feet away and find the morels.

My brother tried one of those kits a few years ago. He tried growing them in a raised bed - following every instruction and tip he could find on The Google. The result? A whole lotta work for a grand total of zero mushrooms. Ever.