Detailed Explanation of Lingzhi Growth Conditions and Greenhouse Cultivation Techniques

Since ancient times, lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness, preciousness, beauty and longevity, and has been called the "immortal herb" and "auspicious herb". Traditional Chinese medicine has long regarded it as a precious Chinese herbal medicine for tonifying and strengthening the body and supporting vital qi. At present, with the rapid development of the edible mushroom industry, large-scale artificial cultivation is no longer difficult.

I. Conditions required for growth and development. Lingzhi is a wood-rotting fungus. In artificial cultivation, broadleaf tree branch wood, sawdust, cottonseed hulls, corn cobs, etc. are used as the main materials, with wheat bran, corn flour, rice bran and other supplementary materials added. It is a medium-to-high temperature type, constant-temperature fruiting fungus. The mycelium grows within 4-38°C, with the optimum at 24-28°C; the fruiting body can differentiate within the range of 20-30°C. The suitable water content of the substrate is 60%-65%; the suitable relative air humidity for fruiting body growth is 85%-90%. Lingzhi mycelium prefers a weakly acidic environment, with pH 5.5-6.5 being suitable. However, in production, 1%-2% gypsum powder or lime powder is added to the ingredients to raise the substrate pH to 8-9, which will naturally drop to around 7 after sterilization. Lingzhi is an aerobic fungus, and the growth and development of the fruiting body requires strong ventilation; carbon dioxide concentration has a great impact on cap development. Light is an indispensable factor for the growth and development of its fruiting body and can induce the formation of the fruiting body; the growth of the stipe and cap has obvious phototropism, and when the fruiting body is young, its phototropism is especially sensitive.

From the perspective of high quality and safety, natural organic matter should be selected as raw materials for cultivation, and the cultivation site should be far from pollution sources. If it is on both sides of a road, build the greenhouse at least 50 meters away; never add chemical fertilizers, various insecticides (fungicides), pesticides, etc.

II. Formula selection and fungus stick preparation.

1. Sawdust 75%, bran 20%, soybean flour 2%, phosphate fertilizer 1%, sucrose 1%, gypsum powder 1%.

2. Cottonseed hulls 42%, sawdust 42%, bran 15%, gypsum 1%.

3. Cottonseed hulls 77%, wheat bran 10%, corn flour 10%, sugar, phosphate fertilizer and gypsum 1% each.

4. Corn cobs (crushed to the size of soybeans) 50%, sawdust 35%, wheat bran 15%.

Control the water content of the substrate at 55%-60% and pH at 5-6.0. After the prepared culture material is piled and left to sit for 1-2 hours, bag it promptly, carry out routine sterilization, cooling, inoculation, and enter the mycelium growth management stage. Under suitable conditions, the mycelium can fill the bag in 25-30 days.

III. Greenhouse cultivation models and high-yield management.

1. Stacking mode with fruiting from both ends: The lingzhi greenhouse should be ventilated and let in light, and kept clean and hygienic. On the ground, make beds two bags wide at intervals of 70 cm, with the two ends of the fungus bags facing outward, and stack 5-7 layers on top of bricks. When the surfaces at both ends of the lingzhi bags change color and white protruding lingzhi buds appear, cut open the plastic openings at both ends (about 2 cm) to promote the growth of the lingzhi buds. Never open the bag openings completely, so as to avoid water loss from the lingzhi bags.

2. Soil-covering fruiting mode: Dig the bed 25-30 cm deep, remove all or part of the plastic film from the lingzhi bags, place them upright in the bed with 3-5 cm between bags, fill the gaps with humus-rich garden soil, spread 2 cm of soil on top, and then scatter a layer of coarse sand or small stones. After covering with soil, spray water immediately. When multiple lingzhi buds appear on the surface of the lingzhi bag material, cut off some with sterilized scissors, keeping 2-3 lingzhi buds per bag, so that nutrients are concentrated and large, thick fruiting bodies with large caps grow. Within the suitable temperature range for fruiting, a slightly lower temperature (25-26°C) results in a denser texture, good cap development, bright color, thick cap and good quality. During the fruiting period, keep the relative humidity in the greenhouse at 85%-95%. There should be sufficient scattered light in the greenhouse, and the light should be even. When light intensity increases, cap formation is fast, the stipe is short, more pigment is deposited in the cap cell walls, and the cap color is deep and glossy. During the fruiting period, the lingzhi greenhouse should be ventilated and aired in a timely manner to keep the air fresh and prevent the occurrence of deformed lingzhi. In substitute substrate cultivation, generally 2-3 flushes can be harvested. From the formation of the mushroom buds to harvest is about 25-30 days. With proper management, 1 kg of dry material can produce 100-120 g of dried lingzhi.