What to Do When Shiitake Mushroom Logs Fail to Change Color? Cause Analysis and Solutions

In the process of shiitake mushroom cultivation, the color change of the mushroom log is a crucial step. Generally, if the color change fails, it may lead to a decline in shiitake mushroom yield and quality in mild cases, or a total crop failure in severe cases, seriously affecting the economic returns of mushroom farmers. So what should be done when shiitake mushroom logs fail to change color? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.

1. Conditions for color change

Shiitake mushroom color change refers to the transition conditions of the mycelium from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. Early-maturing varieties can half change color and half produce mushrooms, while mid-to-late maturing varieties must complete color change before producing mushrooms. Moisture during color change is extremely important; the water content of the mycelium must be greater than 65%, otherwise color change will not occur. At the same time, the humidity of the environment must also remain above 80%; if it is too dry, color change will not occur either. The temperature required for color change is 17-23°C; below 15°C or above 26°C, color change will not occur. At the same time, color change requires a light intensity of 800-2500 lks; if it is too bright or too dark, color change will not occur.

2. Causes of failure

There are many reasons for color change failure. First, too much wheat bran in the culture material leads to excessive nutrients for the mycelium, making it unable to complete color change. Second, the mycelium is not yet mature when the bag is removed, and it continues to grow after bag removal, causing excessive vegetative growth of the mycelium and failure of color change. Third, after the mycelium bag is removed, if the temperature exceeds 25°C or is below 18°C, it will likewise cause excessive vegetative growth or stop the growth of the mycelium, resulting in failure of color change. Fourth, after the mycelium bag is removed, insufficient humidity causes the mushroom log to lose water, resulting in failure of color change. Fifth, the occurrence of pests and diseases causes the mushroom log to change color relatively slowly, the mushroom skin to become too thick, the color to turn black, the mushroom production time to be delayed, the mushroom output to be low, and many deformed mushrooms to appear.

3. Prevention and control measures

First, strictly control the proportion of wheat bran in the formula at about 20%; it should not be too much. Remove the bag only after the mycelium is fully mature. After the mycelium matures, it appears as lumpy protrusions inside the bag changing from hard to soft, the area near the inoculation hole turning coffee-colored, and the mushroom log becoming elastic. Master the cultivation season well and ensure that the temperature at the time of bag removal is preferably 20-25°C. After bag removal, if low or high temperature occurs, take timely measures to keep warm or cool down so that it can change color normally. After bag removal, keep the mushroom bed moist, and at the same time do a good job in the prevention and control of pests and diseases.

The above is an introduction to what to do when shiitake mushroom logs fail to change color. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.