How to Grow Morel Mushrooms? A Detailed Guide to Morel Mushroom Cultivation Techniques
AbstractHumidity: Morel mushrooms like moisture, so if there is drought in early spring, water them in a timely manner. Temperature: If the temperature changes drastically in early spring (below 4°C or above 16°C), it will affect the development of the fruiting bodies. Cultivation: The main methods are indoor cultivation after removing the casing, outdoor cultivation after removing the bags, and outdoor raw-material cultivation, three methods in total. Pest and disease control: Keep the site environment clean and hygienic, and carry out sterilization and insect-killing treatment before sowing. Harvesting: The fruiting bodies mature 7-10 days after emerging from the soil. After harvesting, clean off the soil and sun-dry or oven-dry them promptly.
Morel mushroom, also called morel fungus, has a pitted appearance that looks very much like a sheep's stomach, and is a very popular medicinal and edible fungus. It is rich in nutritional value, and its price is much higher than that of other ordinary fungi. At present, quite a few people want to grow it, but they are helpless because they have no cultivation experience. Below, let us look at the cultivation techniques for morel mushrooms.
How to Grow Morel Mushrooms
1. Indoor cultivation after removing the casing: After disinfecting the mushroom house, first spread a piece of plastic film on each layer of the bed surface, then spread about 3 cm of humus soil, flatten it, and then arrange the mushroom sticks with the plastic bags removed one by one on the mushroom bed. Generally, 40 can be arranged per square meter of bed surface. After arranging the mushroom sticks, spray water lightly once, then cover with 3-5 cm of soil, and on the surface cover 2 cm of broadleaf tree fallen leaves. Keep the soil moist, the air humidity at about 85%-95%, and the temperature between 4.4-16°C. Generally, fruiting bodies can emerge in a little over one month.
2. Outdoor cultivation after removing the bags: Mushroom sticks cultivated indoors can also be moved outdoors for cultivation. It is advisable to choose woodland with light conditions of 3 parts sun and 7 parts shade to make beds. The bed width is 1 m, the depth is 20-25 cm, and the length is unlimited. After preparing the bed, spray or water lightly once, and use 10% lime water to kill pests and miscellaneous bacteria. The method of removing the bags and arranging the mushroom sticks is the same as for indoor cultivation, except that the bottom layer does not need plastic film, but attention should be paid to temperature changes in the bed to prevent direct sunlight.
3. Outdoor raw-material cultivation: Outdoors, choose a place with 3 parts sun and 7 parts shade or half shade and half sun, loose and moist soil, and good drainage. Dig a pit about 20-25 cm deep. First wet the bottom of the pit with water, then take any of the above formulas, weigh it according to the proportion, mix it evenly with water, and then spread a layer of material on the bottom layer. After flattening, it is about 4-5 cm. Use 2 bags of spawn per square meter (12×28 cm specification), break it into walnut-sized spawn pieces, evenly scatter them on the material, and then cover with a thin layer of fine humus soil.
Morel Mushroom Cultivation Techniques
1. Humidity management: Morel mushrooms like moisture, so the growing environment must maintain a certain humidity. If cultivated outdoors, especially in winter and particularly in early spring, when there is more rain and the temperature is suitable, the mycelium and fruiting bodies grow well. But if drought occurs in early spring, water promptly and in appropriate amounts.
2. Temperature management: For a few weeks in early spring, temperatures between 4-16°C easily stimulate the formation of morel fruiting bodies. If the temperature changes drastically at this time (for example, below 4°C or above 16°C), it will affect the development of the fruiting bodies to a certain extent.
3. Pest and disease control: Pests and diseases can occur during both mycelium and fruiting body growth. Prevention should be the main approach, and the site environment should also be kept clean and hygienic. Before sowing, the site must be treated for sterilization and insect killing. If pests occur later, pyrethrum or 10% lime water can be sprayed before the fruiting bodies grow to kill them.
4. Timely harvesting: The fruiting bodies can mature about 7-10 days after emerging from the soil. When the color changes from dark gray to light gray or brownish yellow, and the honeycomb-like depressions on the cap surface are fully extended, they can be harvested. After harvesting, clean off the soil, sun-dry or oven-dry promptly, and store sealed in plastic bags.
5. Drying and processing: When drying and processing morel mushrooms, be careful not to break the mushroom caps. They can be dried using a tobacco curing barn or sun-dried, and must not be smoked over firewood, so as not to affect quality. After grading by quality, pack them in plastic bags and store them in a cool, dry, ventilated place.
Cultivation Conditions for Morel Mushrooms
1. Temperature and humidity: Morel mushrooms are a low-temperature, high-humidity fungus. They mostly occur after rain from March to May, and occasionally from August to September. The growth period is relatively long. In addition to requiring lower temperatures, they also need a relatively large temperature difference to stimulate mycelial differentiation. The suitable growth temperature for mycelium is between 21-24°C, the temperature for fruiting body formation and development is between 4.4-16°C, and the relative air humidity is about 65%-85%. Therefore, the more suitable cultivation time is between November and December each year.
2. Sunlight and air: Weak scattered light is beneficial to the growth and development of morel fruiting bodies. Be sure not to expose them to strong direct light.
3. Soil conditions: The suitable soil pH is between 6.5-7.5. Neutral or slightly alkaline soil is beneficial to morel growth. Morels often grow in limestone or chalk soil, and can also grow in humus soil, black or yellow loam, and sandy mixed soil.
Identification of Wild Morel Mushrooms
1. Morphology: Generally, wild morel mushrooms are smaller in size and relatively lighter in color than cultivated morel mushrooms.
2. Aroma: Wild morel mushrooms have a stronger fragrance than cultivated morel mushrooms.
3. Taste: Wild morel mushrooms have a more delicate taste than cultivated morel mushrooms.
That is all for now on the cultivation methods of morel mushrooms. We hope it is helpful to everyone. The cultivation techniques for morel mushrooms are not difficult, but they are famous for low yield, so everyone must still take careful care of them during cultivation.