Detailed Explanation of the Log Cultivation Technique for Reishi Mushroom

① Selection and processing of logs: broadleaf trees such as oak, chestnut, Mongolian oak, peach, willow, poplar, and black locust should be used as logs. Diameters of 5-15 cm can all be used. After selecting the tree species, cut immediately, but there is no need to peel the bark, and saw into logs 1 m long. If the tree species has a high moisture content, then pile them to dry until, when a wooden wedge is driven into the log, no sap is seen flowing out; then inoculation can be carried out. ② Inoculation period should be chosen when the temperature is 20-26°C and the relative air humidity is below 60%, which is favorable for dry cultivation and avoids contamination by miscellaneous fungi. ③ Inoculation: choose fresh spawn that has been cultured for 20 days and whose fruiting body primordia have just formed. This kind of spawn has strong vitality, develops rapidly after being inoculated into the log, and is not afraid of contamination by miscellaneous fungi. The inoculation tool can be a punch with a diameter of 1-1.2 cm, driven into the log to a depth of 1 cm, with row spacing and plant spacing of 20 cm×20 cm, arranged in a staggered “” shape. After punching, inoculate immediately. Otherwise, the holes will dry out and affect the survival rate. Inoculation should be carried out in a cool place. Before inoculation, first take out the spawn to be inoculated (cultivated spawn), cut it into small pieces of 1 sq cm, gently stuff them into the holes, press slightly tight, then cover with wooden wedges or bark. Then, tap gently flat with a small wooden hammer. About 30 days after inoculation, the mycelium invades the log, and brown fungal rings can be seen forming around the holes, indicating that the inoculation has survived. Then, bury the logs in the cultivation site and carry out growth-period management. ④ Growth-period management: after inoculation, stack the logs in a “” shape and carry out dry cultivation for 10-15 days. Then, uncover the wooden wedges or bark covers and observe. If white mycelium is seen, the area around the inoculation holes has turned white or pale yellow, later gradually becoming light brown, and the wooden wedges or bark covers are already covered and fixed by mycelium, this means the inoculation has taken. Immediately bury the logs in acidic soil of pH 5-6. If the weather is dry, water to moisten the soil.

In the rainy season or on rainy days, pay attention to drainage to avoid water accumulation at the site. In addition, spread a ring of poisonous soil mixed with ant-killing agent around the cultivation site to trap and kill termites and prevent damage. After Qingming Festival the following year, when the temperature rises to about 25°C, several logs can be taken out for inspection. Uncover the bark covers or wooden wedges. If the area around the holes has grown into tea-brown color, or reishi buds have already grown, and there are white mycelia or light brown mycelial membranes at both ends of the logs and the special odor of reishi mycelium can be smelled, this shows that the mycelium has matured. Immediately dig out the logs and cut them into small logs 17-22 cm long. Then, bury them obliquely in acidic gravelly soil, with the upper end exposed about 3 cm above the ground, and cover with weeds for shade. Water once every few days to keep the soil moist. After 7-10 days, reishi buds begin to grow. During the period of reishi bud growth, keep the humidity of the cultivation site at about 90%. Too dry or too wet will both lead to the death of the reishi buds. Cultivated under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, the reishi buds grow rapidly, first producing stipes, then caps. After about two months, they can be harvested. During the management process, also pay attention to preventing contamination by miscellaneous fungi. If contamination by Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and other miscellaneous fungi is found, use a burned blade to scrape off the surrounding bark and xylem, then apply concentrated lime milk for control, or use cotton balls dipped in 75% alcohol and stuff them into the holes for control.