A Detailed Guide to Morel Mushroom Cultivation, Selection and Light Control Techniques

Morel mushrooms are a relatively precious edible mushroom variety, generally cultivated in regions of China such as Tibet, Yunnan and Xinjiang. Morel mushrooms are also known as straw hat bamboo, and are highly nutritious. So do you know about morel mushroom cultivation techniques? How do you select morel mushrooms? What regions make up their distribution range?

I. Morel mushroom cultivation techniques

1. Morel mushrooms are generally sown between October and December each year. The mycelium can grow at temperatures between 3°C and 25°C, with the most suitable temperature being 15 to 18°C. Below 3°C or above 25°C, the mycelium stops growing or dies. The sowing rate of the spawn is 200 kg per mu. When sowing, the spawn must be evenly and accurately scattered over the compost, and after sowing the spawn, soil can be earthed up, with an earthing thickness of 3—5 cm. Once earthing up is complete, watering can begin. The mycelium requires a moist environment in which to grow, and the relative soil moisture content should be kept at 50%—70%.

2. The growth of morel mycelium requires shade and moisture retention, while the growth of the fruiting body requires low light and moisture retention. Excessive light or insufficient humidity is detrimental to the growth of both the mycelium and the fruiting body, so an artificial shade shed must be built. Shade sheds are divided into flat sheds and arched sheds.

3. First is temperature control. Because the temperature difference between day and night in spring is large, this helps promote the growth of the fruiting body. Not only that, the suitable temperatures and abundant rainfall of early spring provide good conditions for the germination and growth of morel fruiting bodies. Morel fruiting bodies can grow at temperatures between 10°C and 18°C, with the most suitable growth temperature being 12°C to 15°C. When the temperature is below 10°C or above 18°C, the growth of the morel fruiting body slows down. Morel fruiting bodies growing in flat sheds emerge from the soil relatively quickly because of good air circulation.

4. In terms of light, light has a certain promoting effect on the formation of the fruiting body. Especially during the development stage of the fruiting body, light plays an important role. During the growth and development period of the fruiting body, moderate scattered light is an indispensable condition for producing high-quality morel mushrooms. Morel fruiting bodies are phototropic and often bend and grow toward the direction of the light.

The intensity of scattered light also has a certain effect on the colour of the fruiting body. When the light is relatively strong, the colour is relatively dark; when the light is weak, the colour is light. During the mushroom-producing period, controlling the light to three parts sun and seven parts shade is most suitable.

5. During the mushroom-producing stage, the relative soil moisture content is required to be kept at 50%—70%, so that morel mushrooms can grow smoothly. In terms of management, pay attention to controlling two extreme humidity levels. First, the relative air humidity should not be lower than 70%. If the air humidity is low, because the interior of the morel fruiting body is hollow, and it is light in weight with a thin skin, it is prone to drying and cracking, causing the fruiting body to stop growing. For this reason, a moist environment must be maintained, spraying with sprinkler irrigation once or twice a day. When spraying water, the water mist should be allowed to disperse and drip down to the ground. Second, the relative air humidity should not exceed 90%. If the relative air humidity is too high, it will cause oxygen deprivation in the fruiting body. In short, the requirement for watering is small amounts and frequent applications.

6. When the cap surface of the morel fruiting body has fully stretched out and shows morel-like pits, it can be harvested. However, some morel fruiting bodies grow singly and some grow together, and the entire growth process has an irregular continuity, so they should be harvested as they grow to ensure freshness. At the same time as harvesting, because many fruiting bodies are germinating or emerging from the soil, be careful not to bruise the fruiting bodies that are still growing.

7. When harvesting, insert a small bamboo strip into the soil, then gently pry upward, and once the morel loosens it can be harvested.

II. How do you select morel mushrooms?

1. Morel mushrooms are an extremely precious wild mushroom. When selecting morel mushrooms, large ones are generally preferred, and round-topped ones are top grade, as these are wild morel mushrooms. Pointed-topped ones are mostly cultivated, with thin flesh and a less rich aroma. Therefore they are inferior.

2. Wild morel mushrooms are not uniform in colour, with brown and yellow varieties. Home-cultivated morel mushrooms are all very brown and pointed-topped. This should be distinguished when selecting.

III. Morel mushroom distribution range

Wild morel mushrooms are distributed in regions of China such as Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Shanxi, Jilin, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Henan, Hebei, Beijing, Hunan and Guizhou. 

  Morel mushroom is a precious wild mushroom. Because the surface of its cap is uneven and shaped like a sheep's stomach, it is named morel mushroom. Growing in the natural environment, a single one can reach more than two hundred grams. At present, more than 20 species of morel mushrooms have been discovered in China.