Summary of Greenhouse Cultivation Experience for Lingzhi (Reishi) Bonsai
Lingzhi bonsai is a shaped handicraft that has emerged in recent years, made by processing dried mature lingzhi fruiting bodies. By using foam plastic greenhouse technology to pot living lingzhi at the growth stage and create living lingzhi bonsai, just like potted flowers, one can observe a series of growth and development processes: the lingzhi stipe elongating, the cap unfolding and growing larger, releasing spore powder, and finally growing into lingzhi fruiting bodies of various forms. The key points of its cultivation technology are as follows:
1 Cultivation substrate
Lingzhi is a wood-rotting fungus, suitable for growing on substrates such as hardwood sawdust and cottonseed hulls. Its culture medium formula is: hardwood sawdust or cottonseed hulls 78%, wheat bran 20%, gypsum powder 1%, white sugar 1%, water content 60-62%, pH natural.
2 Cultivation season
Lingzhi is a constant-temperature, medium-to-high temperature type fungus. The spawn-running temperature and the fruiting temperature are both 22-28 degrees C. During fruiting, relatively high air humidity is required. Therefore, in southern regions, it is better to arrange fruiting in late spring and early summer. Inoculation can begin after mid-January, fruiting can begin after mid-March, and potting for sale can be done in mid-April. For autumn fruiting, inoculation can be done in early August, fruiting in mid-September, and potting for sale in late September. This helps it meet the market during the two golden cycles.
3 Greenhouse construction
The greenhouse is modified from an ordinary plastic greenhouse. The outer layer is covered with a shade net to achieve a light intensity of seventy percent shade and thirty percent sun; the middle layer is a 0.5 cm thick foam plastic board, which provides insulation; the inner layer is non-toxic plastic film, which can enhance moisture retention. The wooden bar frame doors at both ends are sealed with plastic film to regulate ventilation and light transmission.
4 Selecting varieties
According to the different characteristics of various lingzhi varieties, different types and colors of varieties can be selected for potted living lingzhi. Generally, varieties with many branches, relatively long stipes, small caps, slow growth, and little spore powder are preferred. For example, Yuanzhi No. 6, Yuanzhi No. 9, Jingda, Shinshu, Zizhi (purple lingzhi), etc.
5 Bagging and inoculation
Prepare the culture material according to the above formula, then use 17×33×0.04 cm polypropylene or polyethylene plastic gusseted bags for filling. Each bag holds 400 grams of dry material, sealed with sponge double rings. Sterilize under high pressure for 2 hours, or under normal pressure for 10 hours. After cooling, move into the inoculation room, disinfect separately with ultraviolet light and aerosol disinfectant, and inoculate inside the inoculation box.
6 Spawn-running culture
After inoculation is completed, move into the culture room, arrange on culture racks, keep dark, warm, and run the spawn. Maintain the indoor temperature at 20-25 degrees C. When the temperature is low, use an electric stove to heat appropriately, and maintain ventilation and air exchange. After about 2 months, the mycelium will fill the bags.
7 Fruiting management
After the mycelium fills the bags, they can be moved into the foam greenhouse for fruiting management. Remove the sponge caps, arrange upright, and cover with plastic film to promote primordium formation. After 3-6 days, lingzhi begins to form primordia, so uncover the covering film, spray water on the ground, and maintain the relative air humidity in the greenhouse at 85-96%. At this time, ventilate as much as possible. When the lingzhi stipe elongates and shows phototropism, the doors should be shaded while the greenhouse roof remains transparent, so that lingzhi extends upward. When the stipe has grown to a certain extent, ventilate for half an hour each morning and evening, and remove the shading from the doors to promote cap growth. By using the variable temperature conditions of large day-night temperature differences, lingzhi bodies of various shapes can be produced.
8 Transplanting and potting
About 20 days after primordium formation, when the cap has grown to a size with the preliminary shape of a bonsai and the cap edge is still yellow-white, it can be transplanted into pots. Use a knife to cut around and remove the lower half of the lingzhi bag, then place it into a flower pot, add disinfected fine river sand, and it becomes potted living lingzhi.
9 Potted management
During the continued growth period of potted living lingzhi, spray mist 2-3 times a day to retain moisture and keep the cap moist, so as to prevent premature aging.