Can Cordyceps Be Cultivated? A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods

Cordyceps is commonly known as Cordyceps sinensis. Cordyceps sinensis is originally a wild Chinese medicinal herb, so can Cordyceps be cultivated?

Cordyceps can be cultivated. It can be grown in open fields or indoors. Cultivating Cordyceps in open fields requires selecting suitable land.

Before planting, first spray the prepared liquid fungal culture onto the bodies of Hepialus moth larvae using a sprayer to cultivate the fungal insects.

I. Open-field Cultivation

Choose a good site that avoids direct sunlight and rain erosion, and provides an environment that can shade, drain, prevent drought, and prevent trampling by people and livestock. Two cultivation methods can be used: flat-ground style or bed style.

Flat-ground cultivation involves removing 15 cm of topsoil from ordinary flat land, sloping land, or wasteland, with a width of 100 cm and unlimited length, then filling with 5 cm of sandy soil, placing the fungal insects as described above, covering with 5-7 cm of fine sandy soil, and covering the outside with plastic film. There must be drainage ditches around, and trees or a shade shed above for shade.

Bed-style cultivation involves first laying 5 cm of fine sandy soil at the bottom of the bed, then placing the fungal insects, then covering with 5 cm of fine sandy soil, and finally covering with plastic film. Bamboo arches are used beside the bed, covered with grass curtains for shade and cooling. The bed is 100 cm wide, 50 cm deep, with unlimited length, as long as it can drain around.

II. Indoor Cultivation

1. Bed cultivation: The bed frame is 100 cm wide, with length designed according to your room, made of bamboo and wood. Each layer has four sides 12 cm high for retaining soil. When cultivating, first lay a layer of plastic film, then pour in 5-7 cm of fine sandy soil and level it, place the fungal insects at a distance as in box cultivation, cover with 3-5 cm of sandy soil, and then cover with plastic film.

2. Bottle cultivation: Use ordinary cans, wash them clean, first place a 2.5-3 cm layer of fine sandy soil in the bottle with 60% soil moisture content, then place the larvae infected with the fungal liquid on top. It is best to place two per bottle. The two larvae should not be close together, with their bellies facing down and bodies extended. Then cover with 3 cm of fine sandy soil and press the surface slightly flat. To maintain moisture, seal the opening with plastic film and place indoors at a suitable temperature for management, avoiding direct sunlight.