Detailed Explanation of High-Yield Three-Dimensional Cultivation Techniques for Huagu Mushrooms
?I. Selection of Cultivation Substrate
Sawdust from fruit trees is the best choice. Sawdust from broadleaf trees such as poplar, willow, mulberry, locust, and paulownia, as well as cottonseed hulls, corn cobs, cotton stalks, and soybean straw, can also be used after crushing. However, the raw materials must be fresh. Trees containing aromatic substances, such as pine, cypress, and Chinese fir, generally cannot be used directly as substrate.
?II. Optimal Cultivation Period
The best inoculation period is September, when the average daily temperature is below 28°C, which is favorable for indoor mycelial growth. After 60 to 80 days of cultivation, when mushrooms are ready to fruit outdoors, the average daily temperature should not be lower than 12°C.
????III. Cultivation Management
The specific measures and operating methods for cultivating the spawn bags after inoculation are as follows:
From 1 to 6 days after inoculation, the mycelium is in the germination and colonization stage. Generally, no ventilation is provided, the spawn bags should not be turned, and the indoor temperature should be controlled within 28°C.
From 7 to 10 days, the mycelium has begun colonizing the substrate and growing. The temperature should be controlled at around 26°C. On the seventh day, the first turning of the stacks begins. Handle the bags gently during turning, inspect the spawn bags and check for contamination by competing fungi, and deal with any contamination promptly. After that, ventilate 2 to 3 times per day for 30 minutes each time.
From 11 to 15 days, the mycelium enters a vigorous growth phase. The room temperature should be controlled below 24°C, ventilation should be increased, and a second turning of the stacks should be carried out.
From 16 to 20 days after inoculation, the mycelium proliferates massively, and the room temperature should be controlled at 22°C to 24°C. At this time, the plastic sleeves on the spawn bags should be removed promptly, ventilation should be appropriately increased to spread out the bags, and high temperatures that could burn the bags and green mold infection should be prevented.
After 21 days, the mycelium at the inoculation points gradually connects. At this time, the bag temperature is 5°C to 10°C higher than the room temperature. In addition to spreading out the stacks to cool them, holes can be pierced in the colonized areas of the spawn bags using toothpicks, sweater needles, bamboo chopsticks, etc., to increase oxygen. Generally, pierce once every 10 days, gradually increasing the size and depth.
After 30 days of mycelial growth, nodular formations begin to appear; by 45 days they cover the spawn bag; by 50 to 60 days the nodules protrude, and water droplets begin to secrete from the mycelium. At this point, pay attention to piercing holes to drain the accumulated water. When the nodules change from hard to soft and a brown color appears on the surface of the spawn bag, this stage is called color change. Color change is a complex physiological process that takes 10 to 15 days. During this period, the temperature should be controlled at around 22°C, the relative air humidity at 80% to 90%, with appropriate ventilation, and the shading materials on doors and windows should be removed to provide light stimulation.
After 60 to 70 days of mycelial growth, the mycelium fully covers the bags and color change is complete, after which the bags can be transferred to the fruiting stage management.