How to Control Green Mold in Shiitake Mushrooms: Clever Use of Temperature for Regulation

Everyone is fairly familiar with shiitake mushrooms; whether fresh or dried, they are quite rich in nutritional value. Shiitake mushrooms can not only be used to make soup or stir-fry with meat, but also to make dumplings, and so on, and are deeply loved by consumers. In recent years, quite a few people have been growing shiitake mushrooms, and in the actual cultivation process, shiitake mushrooms are relatively prone to infection by green mold, which has a fairly large impact on yield, so how can temperature be used to control green mold in shiitake mushrooms?

1. How can temperature be used to control green mold in shiitake mushrooms?

The suitable growth temperature for shiitake mushrooms is between 22 and 24 °C, while green mold usually infects at around 23 °C. So we can use the growth temperatures required by shiitake mushroom mycelium and green mold to control its occurrence, and the following measures can be taken:

First, during the indoor colonization period, after spreading out the mushroom bags, reduce the number of stacked layers, then carry out the hole-piercing work in batches. After piercing, the respiration of the shiitake mushrooms will intensify, releasing a large amount of heat. Once the room temperature reaches 28 °C, stop the hole-piercing work.

Second, in summer the temperature is relatively high, basically over 30 degrees, so ventilation and cooling work are very important. If spending the summer between mushroom fruiting sheds, the mushroom shed height should preferably be relatively high, and ventilation holes should be made between the walls. All the bottom edges of the shed film should be lifted up, shading treatment should be done on top of the shed film, and then trenches should be dug under the racks holding the mushroom bags. If high-temperature weather occurs, water can be put into the trenches to lower the temperature. Some friends may worry about excessive humidity, and quicklime can be used to handle it.

Third, if any mushroom bags are infected with green mold, they must be dealt with immediately at the early stage, placed in a place with suitable temperature and good ventilation conditions, or have the side that has grown green mold placed in a relatively cool place, so that the shiitake mushroom mycelium will consume the green mold mycelium. If it is the late stage of green mold infection, it is relatively serious; the mushroom bags will turn a relatively dark green color and become very soft, or even already rotten, and such bags are already worthless. But we must properly handle the infected areas, so as to ensure the normal growth of the uninfected mycelium.

2. Key points for shiitake mushroom cultivation

1. Choose suitable varieties

Generally speaking, the temperature, climate, geographical conditions and so on of the north and south differ relatively greatly, so suitable varieties should be chosen according to local conditions. For example, for spring cultivation of shiitake mushrooms in the north, relatively mild strains should be chosen, while for autumn cultivation, medium-temperature low-type strains should be chosen.

2. Temperature conditions

For spring cultivation of shiitake mushrooms, generally 15 °C is enough for mycelium growth, so there are fewer contaminating microbes and the survival rate is relatively high. For autumn cultivation of shiitake mushrooms, the mycelium growth temperature should preferably be between 24 and 28 °C. If the temperature is too high, ventilation must be carried out immediately to achieve the purpose of cooling.

3. Humidity requirements

The humidity requirements for shiitake mushrooms include the water content of the mushroom logs and the relative humidity of the space. Pay attention to the difference between the two and handle them accordingly.

In summary, only by mastering the temperature, humidity, ventilation and other conditions during the shiitake mushroom cultivation period can the occurrence of green mold disease be reduced and the possibility of obtaining high yields be achieved.