A Detailed Guide to Morel Mushroom Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods

Plant in neutral or slightly alkaline soil. For the cultivation substrate, generally choose sawdust, bran, corn cobs and crop straw as the main materials, combined with other ingredients for mixing. Sterilize for 8-10 hours, then the mycelium can be inoculated.

1. Cultivation conditions

The morel mushroom, also known as the morel or morel vegetable, is rarely cultivated because it has high requirements for growing conditions. Unlike other fungi, it has extremely high demands for soil and must be planted in neutral or slightly alkaline soil with a pH value of around 6.5-7.5; the soil should preferably be fertile black soil. Next is the air factor: sufficient oxygen must be maintained, and the requirements for temperature and humidity are also relatively high. Its peak growing seasons are spring and autumn, with a suitable growing temperature of 20 degrees and humidity of around 70%. It also needs a low-light environment, so artificial cultivation must meet these conditions.

2. Cultivation formula

The preparation of the cultivation substrate is extremely important. Generally, sawdust, bran, corn cobs and crop straw are chosen as the main materials, combined with other ingredients for mixing. Two formulas are provided below: ① Sawdust 75%, bran 20%, phosphate fertilizer 1%, gypsum 1%, humus soil 3%, Yifuyuan mushroom ecological treasure 1%. ③ Corn cobs 40% (crushed), sawdust 20%, bean shells 15%, bran 20%, phosphate fertilizer 1%, gypsum 1%, sugar 1%, plant ash 2%, Yifuyuan mushroom ecological treasure 1%.

3. Sterilized substrate bag-removal cultivation

After choosing a formula and mixing it well, add water at a ratio of 1:1.3 and mix the materials. After mixing, pile them up to ferment for 20 days, then pack them in special plastic bags, with each bag holding about 500 grams of material. After packing, place these bagged materials in a high-temperature environment of 100 degrees for sterilization. Sterilize for 8-10 hours, then the mycelium can be inoculated. Use the two-end inoculation method. After inoculation, seal the bag openings and place them in a cultivation room at 22-25 degrees for one month, and the mycelium will complete its growth. Once the mycelium has fully grown through the bags, they are ready for cultivation.

4. Cultivating fruiting bodies

Choose a suitable environment for cultivation, or use a greenhouse to build a suitable environment. After disinfection treatment, lay a layer of plastic film on the bed surface, then cover it with a 3-5cm layer of decomposed soil. When covering with soil, it should be even, and after covering, press the soil flat. Then remove the plastic bags from the cultivated mushroom sticks and arrange them one by one on the bed surface. The arrangement should be even and neat; generally 40 mushroom sticks can be arranged per sq m, with the specific number depending on the actual situation. After placing the mushroom sticks, spray water evenly once, then cover with soil 3-5cm. After covering with soil, cover with a layer of fallen leaves on top to maintain soil moisture and air humidity. In about one month, fruiting bodies will grow.