Inoculation Techniques for Wood Ear Mushrooms

Inoculation is the process of introducing artificially cultivated mycelium into sun-dried wood logs, allowing it to develop and colonize within the logs and grow fruiting bodies. This is the most critical step in artificial cultivation of wood ear mushrooms and a major technical innovation in production. It takes effect quickly and yields high output.

During inoculation, first disinfect the mushroom yard and the logs (using disinfectant or fire will do; disinfect all tools with alcohol or boiling water; hands can be washed clean with soapy water). Choose a shady spot to carry out the work. Do not let direct sunlight hit the spawn, and never inoculate on rainy days.

The inoculation period generally runs from February to early May, and in autumn it can be done between White Dew and Cold Dew. During inoculation, choose different tools depending on the type of spawn. For stick spawn or triangular wood spawn, use a hatchet to cut notches, insert the sawdust together with the stick or triangular wood into the notches, and tap gently with the back of the axe until secure, as long as they do not fall out. For sawdust spawn or granular spawn, use a 10 mm electric drill, punching machine, or hollow punch to make holes, insert the spawn into the holes, cover with bark, and tap gently until secure.

For inoculation density, the general row spacing is 2 cun and plant spacing is 2.5-3 cun, arranged in a “pin” shape or staggered in a plum-blossom pattern. The density should be greater at both ends of the log so that the mycelium can quickly occupy the territory and prevent contamination by competing microorganisms. The inoculation depth should penetrate through the bark into the xylem by 3-4 fen.