I seeded this patch of Chanterelle mushrooms back in the mid nineties, using a basket full of broken mushroom caps and broadcasted on the edge of the lawn near the base of several well established Red Maple and Sycamore trees.
At this point the caps don't exceed two inches across, and most are much smaller than this. It is my understanding that the size of caps are a correlate of age, and that the size of the caps will increase as time progresses. Still, though somewhat diminutive in size, the sheer volume of caps produced results in an appreciable harvest of fresh (and expensive) mushrooms which can be consumed as is or dried and preserved. In example, the last time I priced fresh Chanterelle mushrooms they were selling for $26 a pound at Dean and Deluca...
It is my understanding that you should not wash wild mushrooms, or any other mushroom for that matter unless absolutely required. The exterior surface of mushrooms contain so much flavor and aroma that washing is detrimental to quality.
