How to Grow Lion's Mane Mushroom: A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Key Techniques

Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) gets its name because its shape resembles a monkey's head; it has a delicious flavor and is rich in nutrients, making it a rare delicacy from the mountains. Nowadays, lion's mane mushroom can also be cultivated artificially. How is lion's mane mushroom grown?

How to grow lion's mane mushroom

1. Choose a site with a good environment and flat terrain to build a greenhouse as the growing location. The size depends on the cultivation scale. Since lion's mane mushroom likes warmth, the greenhouse must have good insulation measures; a double-layer hollow wall can be used, and ventilation measures should be well arranged. Dig the ground down 50cm, and cover the greenhouse roof with drip-free film for insulation.

2. To grow lion's mane mushroom, the substrate must be properly mixed: take 90% cottonseed hulls, 8% wheat bran, 1% gypsum, and 1% superphosphate, add water at a material-to-water ratio of 1:1.4-1.5, let it sit for 2 hours to fully absorb water, and finally adjust to a moisture content of about 65%. Use 15cm×32-34cm×0.04cm polypropylene double-tube plastic bags, fill each bag with 1kg of substrate, press the substrate down moderately, then tie the bag opening tightly.

3. After the culture bags are made, carry out high-temperature sterilization; you can choose either atmospheric pressure sterilization or high-pressure sterilization.

4. After the culture bags cool down, send them into the inoculation room for mycelium inoculation; both the workers and the culture bags need to be disinfected.

5. Place the inoculated spawn bags into the greenhouse for mycelium cultivation; keep the cultivation shed dry and ventilated, avoid direct sunlight, carry out disinfection and sterilization work well in the shed, and keep the temperature inside the shed at 18-25°C.

6. When the mycelium grows to the fruiting body stage, lower the temperature by a few degrees appropriately, keeping the temperature at around 18°C. The most suitable relative air humidity for lion's mane mushroom production is between 85%-95%. In addition, it should also be determined according to the actual growth and development state of the fruiting bodies; as the number and volume of lion's mane mushrooms increase, the water needed also increases. Generally, water should be sprinkled 3-4 times a day, and on rainy days spraying can be omitted.

7. Stale indoor air with excessive accumulated carbon dioxide will inhibit its growth and development, so pay attention to ventilation and air exchange in the mushroom house; open the vents regularly every day for air exchange, 3-4 times a day, about 30 minutes each time.

8. Although the fruiting bodies of lion's mane mushroom can grow under dark conditions, deformed mushrooms are likely to appear; we should use scattered light, creating the most suitable light for fruiting body formation through shade nets and fluorescent lamps.

9. Lion's mane mushroom should be harvested when the fruiting bodies are eight-tenths mature. Harvesting too late will cause the color to turn yellow, lose water, and affect the growth of the next batch of mushrooms.

Lion's mane mushroom can reduce inflammation and fight ulcers, and it can also fight tumors and lower blood sugar; it is a rare and excellent food.