Polypore Workshop

Polypore identification Workshop

Polypores make for a perfect workshop in the winter as they are with us all year long. The great interest in polypores comes from their medicinal properties which include some of the best known of all medicinal mushrooms: Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail among the host of 100s.

 Polypores bring a completely new glossary of mushroom terminology and features to look at than you find with other mushrooms. We will examine and learn the steps you need to follow when collecting and identifying polypores. While we touch on the basics of polypore identification in the Medicinal Mushroom Workshop, this allows for a much deeper dive into the world of polypores.

 Session 1 Zoom Tuesday Feb 3^rd 7:00 - 8:30pm:

• Understanding Polypore lifestyles,  and habitats.
• Brief introduction to tree identification – the substrate that feeds polypores.

Session 2, Zoom Thursday Feb 5^th 7:00 - 8:30pm

•  Polypore ID basics, terminology and key ID features
• Most common local genera and species.

 Saturday February 7^th - In Person Day: 

Morning:

• ·      8:30AM meet and intro
• ·       9:00 – 12:00 Foraging for polypores.

o   We will visit at least two sites, a conifer site and an Aspen Parkland site

Lunch: Polypore soup

·         Afternoon:

• Sorting out the finds and looking at identification features.

o   Using keys to identify polypores

o   How do we use what we have picked?

o   Wind up, questions

Included: polypore soup, polypore teas & coffee. Plus a key to local Polypores.

Course limited to 25 participants.

Register now $225.00.

Things to bring: assorted clothing layers for all eventualities and warm snow boots (Snow Shoes), a good sturdy knife in a safe sheath, a mallet, a loupe or magnifier, a basket or bucket and any mushrooms you need help identifying.

Things to buy on site: Loupes, metal ruler & knives.