A detailed guide to preparing black fungus (wood ear) growing substrate

Black fungus, also known as wood ear or smooth wood ear, belongs to the family Auriculariaceae, genus Auricularia. Because its fungus is rich in nutrients, with the dried product containing abundant protein, fat, vitamin B2 and iron, it is known as "the meat among vegetables." Black fungus not only strengthens essence, tonifies the kidney, invigorates blood circulation and builds physical strength, but is also a commonly used formula medicine for treating rheumatic waist and leg pain, numbness and cramps of the hands and feet, hemorrhoid bleeding, pulmonary tuberculosis, postpartum weakness in women and other diseases, and has a certain preventive effect on heart and coronary artery diseases.

Black fungus is a medium-temperature type fungus; mycelium growth temperature is 10-35 °C, with the optimum temperature 22-28 °C; fruiting body growth temperature is 15-30 °C, with 20-25 °C being most suitable. In the Yellow River basin, bags are made and inoculated from early February to early March. Select varieties with vigorous mycelial vitality, concentrated ear primordium formation, strong stress resistance, high ear yield and good quality.

Substrate preparation formulas:

① Rice straw substrate. Rice straw 75%, rice bran 22.5%, gypsum 1%, superphosphate 1%, urea 0.5%.

② Soybean stalk substrate. Soybean stalk powder 88%, wheat bran 10%, gypsum powder 1%, superphosphate 1%.

③ Wheat straw substrate. Wheat straw 80%, wheat bran or rice bran 18%, superphosphate 1%, gypsum 1%.

④ Cottonseed hull substrate. Cottonseed hulls 90%, wheat bran or rice bran 8%, gypsum 1%, superphosphate 1%. The materials used must be dry, fresh and free of mold. Cut rice straw into 2-3 cm lengths, soak in 1.5% lime water for 12h, remove, rinse with clean water and drain, pH value 7; soybean stalks and wheat straw should be crushed. After the substrate is mixed, the water content should be 55%-60%, and the pH value about 8.