How to Grow Morel Mushrooms? A Detailed Guide to Morel Cultivation Techniques

The morel mushroom (Morchella) is a precious edible mushroom variety with a high price and rich nutritional value, named for its resemblance to a sheep's stomach. So, what is the morel mushroom? What cultivation techniques are there for morel mushrooms? Today, the editor will walk you through it.

I. Introduction to the Morel Mushroom

The morel mushroom, also known as the bamboo hat fungus, is an edible fungus of the genus Morchella in the family Morchellaceae. Wild morel mushrooms are smaller than cultivated ones, at about 6-14 cm. Morel mushrooms are mainly produced in southern regions of China such as Gansu, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan, growing in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests at an altitude of over 2,000 m, and there are roughly more than 20 species of morel mushrooms.

II. Cultivation Techniques for Morel Mushrooms

1. Substrate formulas

Formula One: 75% cottonseed hulls, 20% wheat bran, 1% gypsum, 1% lime, 3% humus soil

Formula Two: 74.5% crop straw powder, 20% wheat bran, 1% phosphate fertilizer, 1% gypsum, 0.5% lime, 3% humus soil

Formula Three: 75% sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1% phosphate fertilizer, 1% gypsum, 3% humus soil

Any of the above three formulas will do. Note that the material-to-water ratio is 1:1.3. After mixing the material well, it needs to ferment for 20 days, with a water content of 60%. Pack it into polypropylene or polyethylene plastic bags, sterilize at a high temperature of 100 degrees for 8 hours, and then it can be inoculated with spawn.

2. Indoor bag-removal cultivation of morel mushrooms

After the mycelium has fully colonized the bags for 5-6 days, disinfection can be carried out and cultivation can begin. Lay a layer of plastic film on the bed surface, then spread a 3 cm layer of humus soil. Arrange the mushroom sticks on the bed at a density of about 40 per sq m. Spray water to moisten the bed surface, then cover with a 3-5 cm layer of soil, and on top cover a 2 cm layer of bamboo leaves. Keep the soil moist, and after one month fruiting bodies can grow. In the south, the best time for mushroom emergence is March to April; about a week after emergence they mature, and they can be harvested when the color changes from dark gray to light gray or brownish yellow.

3. Outdoor bag-removal cultivation of morel mushrooms

Make beds in woodland with a light condition of 3 parts sun and 7 parts shade, with a bed depth of 15-20 cm. After preparing the beds, water once, then sterilize and disinfect with 10% lime water. For fruiting management methods, refer to the indoor fruiting method. Note that you need to prevent the beds from direct sunlight and pay attention to controlling the temperature and humidity in the beds.

4. Pest and disease control for morel mushrooms

Morel mushrooms are prone to pests and diseases during growth, so focus on prevention, with treatment as a supplement. Keep the fruiting environment hygienic, and do a good job of pest and disease prevention before sowing. If pests or diseases occur, spray an appropriate amount of 10% lime water to sterilize and kill insects.

5. Processing of morel mushrooms

After harvesting, morel mushrooms should be sun-dried or dried immediately. When packaging, pack according to size and grade, and take anti-corrosion measures.

The morel mushroom is a precious edible mushroom that contains many amino acids needed by the human body and is a premium nutritional health food. The prospects for morel mushroom cultivation are very good; everyone can learn more before deciding whether to invest. The above is the morel mushroom cultivation technique compiled for everyone by Tuliu.com. Do you understand it now?