Detailed Explanation of the Key Technical Points of a New Method for Summer Cultivation of Straw Mushrooms

The straw mushroom gets its name because it often grows in damp and dark rice straw. It is mostly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and other places, and is also known as the orchid mushroom and the delicious volva-covered mushroom. Below is a brief introduction to what the key technical points of the new method for summer cultivation of straw mushrooms are.

1. Preparing the mushroom beds

The mushroom beds can be 1 m wide, and the length can be adjusted as needed. The spacing between mushroom beds is generally 30 cm, which can be used not only for storing water but also as a walkway. Dig mushroom beds on the beds, in a horizontal, recessed style, 20 cm deep and 30 cm wide. Insecticide should be sprayed on the mushroom beds, generally 0.2% dichlorvos and 0.1% carbendazim. A small soil ridge of 20 cm should be left between the mushroom beds. The mushroom beds should be set up in a greenhouse that retains moisture and heat.

2. Treating the rice straw

First cut the prepared rice straw or wheat straw into small pieces 3 cm long, then soak them in 2% lime water and 5% compound fertilizer for 24 hours before taking them out, place them in a clean place, and drain off the excess water.

3. Selecting the spawn

In the process of cultivating straw mushrooms, selecting the spawn is very important. To choose suitable spawn, three factors should be considered: first, choose spawn with well-developed mycelium; second, the spawn should have a brownish-red thick volva; third, the spawn age should preferably not exceed 18 days. The quality of the spawn directly affects the survival rate of the straw mushrooms.

4. Cultivation method

First evenly spread the cut rice straw or wheat straw in the dug mushroom beds, then spread a layer of straw segments, then a layer of bran, and finally the spawn. Their amounts are: the amount of bran is 5% of the total dry straw amount, and the amount of spawn is 10%; the spawn on the topmost layer should be spread a little more. After finishing, scatter the soil from the soil ridges onto the surface material, to a height of about 10-12 cm, and press them firmly with wooden boards.

After the culture material is prepared, build small arched sheds along the length of the mushroom beds, with a shed height of about 50 cm, and cover them with plastic film to retain heat. Fill the water storage ditches between the beds with water, and keep the relative air humidity in the greenhouse no lower than 80% and the air temperature no lower than 28°C. After 48 hours, the film on the small arched sheds can be uncovered for ventilation.

5. Fruiting management

The time from sowing to the appearance of mushroom buds for straw mushrooms is generally about 10 days. After the straw mushroom buds appear, it only takes another 3-4 days before they can be harvested. Be careful when picking so as not to damage the nearby straw mushrooms and cause unnecessary losses.

6. Management after harvesting

Straw mushrooms can continue to fruit after harvesting. However, after harvesting, no more water should be sprayed, and plastic film should be covered, generally for 2 days. This can promote the growth of mycelium, and fruiting management is needed later. Before fruiting, a 0.1% urea aqueous solution should also be sprayed once, which is beneficial to the growth of straw mushrooms.

Straw mushrooms are rich in nutrients and delicious in taste. They are a high-quality edible mushroom and are deeply loved by consumers. Vegetable farmers who want to cultivate high-quality and high-yield straw mushrooms need to have a detailed understanding of the above knowledge.