Detailed Explanation of Morel Cultivation Methods and Techniques

To cultivate morel mushrooms, you first need to buy spawn, then prepare the materials, which are usually sawdust, corn cobs, bean husks, bran, and so on. Next, mix the materials and ferment them for about 20 days, then bag them, sterilize them, and inoculate them. After inoculation, place them in a cultivation room. Maintain the temperature at 18-22 degrees, air humidity at 80%-90%, and wait for the mushrooms to emerge.

1. Soil Requirements

Morel mushrooms generally grow on sandy loam, brown soil, dark brown soil, and sandy riverbed soil. Their pH requirement is higher than that of ordinary fungi, and they grow best in neutral or slightly alkaline soil, requiring a pH between 6.5-7.9.

2. Temperature Requirements

The suitable temperature for morel mycelium is between 18-22 degrees, the optimum temperature for spore germination is 18-22 degrees, and the fruiting bodies can grow normally between 10-20 degrees, but grow fastest between 15-18 degrees. Morel mushrooms are a low-temperature species. In the early growth stage, the underground mycelium begins to grow at a low temperature of 1-2 degrees. The fruiting period is generally in March-April. At this time, if the temperature exceeds 28 degrees, its growth will be extremely slow or even stop.

3. Humidity Requirements

Morel mushrooms also have certain humidity requirements during cultivation. The water content of the culture substrate is preferably 60%-65%, and the air humidity is preferably 80%-90%. When its mycelium is growing, the soil water content should be around 50%, and the humidity should be slightly lower. However, the formation and growth of the fruiting bodies require a large amount of water, so humidity should be increased in a timely manner.

4. Light Requirements

Morel mushrooms are a shade-loving species, but during the fruiting body growth period, light promotes their growth. Weak scattered light benefits the growth and development of morel fruiting bodies. When cultivating morel mushrooms in areas with sufficient light, shade measures should be taken to ensure their growth. Conversely, in areas with insufficient light, ways should be found to provide weak scattered light.

5. Air Requirements

During cultivation, sufficient oxygen is essential for the growth of morel mushrooms. Generally, if the carbon dioxide concentration in the cultivation environment exceeds 0.%, its growth will be hindered, most obviously shown by weak fruiting body growth, deformities, and even rotting.