What Causes Deformed Oyster Mushrooms? Causes and Control Methods

Oyster mushrooms are one of the edible fungi we eat regularly in daily life, and they sell extremely well on the market, which attracts many people to grow them. However, managing their cultivation is extremely important. Many growers often encounter the phenomenon of mushroom deformities during cultivation, which is a real headache. So what causes deformed oyster mushrooms? How do you prevent and control them? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.

1. Long-stemmed mushrooms

These show a relatively small cap and a long stipe, hence the name long-stemmed mushroom. The cause is that during the primordium formation and differentiation stage, the carbon dioxide concentration in the mushroom house is too high, causing oxygen deficiency; long-stemmed mushrooms also appear when light is insufficient or too strong.

Control method: Strengthen ventilation to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in the air. In addition, adjust light and temperature, with particular attention to temperature, because oyster mushrooms have different temperature requirements at each growth stage, so these must be well regulated.

2. Tumor-capped mushrooms

This type of deformed mushroom shows granular protrusions on the edges and a stiff cap; in severe cases, the cap differentiates poorly and forms irregularly shaped mushrooms. The cause is that the temperature is too low during the fruiting body development stage and lasts for a relatively long time, leading to disordered cell growth in the fruiting body, thus forming tumor-capped mushrooms.

Control method: Still regulate the temperature well, keeping the temperature of the oyster mushroom house at the lower limit for oyster mushroom growth, and there should also be a certain temperature difference between day and night, so as to promote the growth and development of the fruiting bodies.

3. Cauliflower mushrooms

As the name suggests, this deformed mushroom is highly branched and looks just like a cauliflower. The cause is spraying pesticides at too high a concentration during the fruiting period, or the presence of other toxic gases in the mushroom house, such as excessively high carbon dioxide concentration; either can produce cauliflower mushrooms.

Control method: When using any pesticide, pay attention to the concentration and do not make it too high.

4. Shriveled mushrooms

In the early stage of fruiting body development they are normal, but during the expansion stage they become yellowed, water-soaked, or shriveled, then stop growing, and finally the fruiting bodies gradually soften and rot. The water-soaked condition is caused by excessive humidity or too much water sprayed on the fruiting bodies, which makes the young mushrooms absorb too much water and affects normal respiration and metabolism. Shriveling is the opposite of water-soaking: it is caused by low air humidity and overly strong ventilation, which leads to water loss and death of the fruiting bodies.

Control method: Choose excellent varieties for cultivation, and during cultivation be sure to regulate air humidity well; it should not be too high or too low.

The above is an introduction to the causes of deformed oyster mushrooms and their control methods. We hope it helps you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.