A Detailed Guide to the Latest Water Management Techniques for Enoki Mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) During the Fruiting Period
The enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) is a fairly common mushroom species at present, and it relies heavily on water during its fruiting period. If water control is done well, it will grow very rapidly. So how should water control be carried out during this period? Let's take a look below.
1. Maintain moisture to promote mycelial growth
At the beginning, the enoki mushroom mycelium grows relatively quickly, and the aged mycelium sheds slowly, which will affect the growth of new mycelium. So when the mycelium gets relatively close to the bottom, the growing site should be opened up, and the old mycelial skin should be removed manually. At this time, the mushroom bud area is extremely vigorous and has an extremely high demand for water, so the mushroom bud area needs to be replenished with water. The main tasks at this time are to remove the old mycelial skin and then water, ensuring that the water is not blocked off by the old mycelial skin. Maintain humidity above 90% for a long period.
2. Lower temperature and reduce humidity
About one week after the above process, the enoki mushroom bud area will develop rapidly. However, if you want the enoki mushrooms to grow well, you cannot let them grow too fast at this time; at this point, the growth of the fruiting bodies should be suppressed. At this time, the humidity of the growing site should be reduced, and the temperature should also be lowered, so that nutrients are used to strengthen the base. Once the mushroom column becomes thick and sturdy, it can absorb more nutrients, laying a solid foundation for multiple harvests of enoki mushrooms later on. At this time, the humidity should not exceed 70%, and the temperature should be around 4-6°C. This is a relatively ideal range for cultivating the mushroom column.
3. Replenish water to promote development
Once the foundation is laid, the growth of the fruiting bodies should be promoted again so that the enoki mushrooms quickly take shape. At this time, the humidity needs to return to what it was at the beginning, that is, above 90%. At this point, the number of daily waterings should be controlled at around 3 times, but standing water must not be allowed to form; if any is found, it should be removed immediately. If standing water frequently forms, appropriate ventilation is needed. Diseases and pests will be relatively frequent at this time, so farmers need to pay more attention to when diseases and pests appear. If any discolored areas are found, the cause should be checked in a timely manner.
4. Replenish water after harvest
After the first harvest, a considerable portion of the water contained in the mushroom column will decrease along with the harvested items. Whether to replenish water after harvest depends on the situation: some need water replenishment after the first harvest, while others only need it after the second. If the mushroom column appears dry after harvest, then water replenishment is needed to ensure the subsequent harvest. When the mushroom column becomes fresh and moist again, farmers can carry out a second round of cultivation.
The enoki mushroom has a relatively high dependence on water, and combined with the relatively enclosed environment, diseases and pests tend to appear relatively easily. Farmers should pay attention to this aspect. In daily work, they should pay more attention to the cultivation site, and promptly deal with any diseases or pests found, so as to prevent them from causing harm.