Detailed Explanation of Morel Cultivation Techniques and Management Key Points

Morel Cultivation Techniques

Morel is commonly known as yangdu cai or yangdu mo. It gets its name because the surface of its cap is uneven and its shape closely resembles a sheep's stomach (belly). It is a very precious natural tonic, rich in protein, multiple vitamins and more than 20 kinds of amino acids, with a delicious taste and rich nutrition. Morels are divided into two types: naturally grown and artificially cultivated. Currently, artificially cultivated morels dominate the market. The cultivation techniques for morels are as follows.

Cultivation Conditions for Morels

1. Temperature and humidity: Morels are low-temperature, high-humidity fungi. They mostly appear after rain from March to May each spring, and occasionally in August to September in autumn, but in very small numbers. Morels have a long growth period. In addition to requiring relatively low temperatures, they also need a large temperature difference, which can stimulate mycelial differentiation. The mycelial growth temperature is 21-24°C; the primordium formation temperature is 16-21°C; the fruiting body formation and development temperature is 4.4-16°C, with humidity of about 65%-85%. For this reason, the cultivation time should be set as much as possible in November to December.

2. Sunlight: Weak scattered light is beneficial to the growth and development of morel fruiting bodies, while strong direct light has an adverse effect.

3. Soil: The soil pH requirement is around 6.5-7.5. Neutral or slightly alkaline soil is favorable for morel growth. Morels often grow in limestone or chalk soil. They can grow in humus soil, black and yellow loam, and sandy mixed soil.

4. Air: In dark places and under overly thick fallen leaf layers, morels rarely appear, and even when they do, their quality is poor. Sufficient oxygen is essential for the normal growth and development of morels.

Morel Substrate Formulas

1. Sawdust 75%, bran 20%, phosphate fertilizer 1%, gypsum 1%, humus soil 3%.

2. Cottonseed hull 75%, bran 20%, gypsum 1%, lime 1%, humus soil 3%.

3. Corncob 40% (crushed), sawdust 20%, bean hull 15%, bran 20%, phosphate fertilizer 1%, gypsum 1%, sugar 1%, plant ash 2%.

Any one of the above three culture substrates may be selected. The material-to-water ratio is 1:1.3, and the water content should be maintained at 60%.

After reading the cultivation conditions for morels and the morel substrate formulas, let us next look at morel cultivation, post-cultivation management, and pest and disease control and other related techniques.

Morel Cultivation Techniques

1. Sterilized substrate bag-removal cultivation

Mix the substrate well, fill it into 17×33cm polypropylene or polyethylene plastic bags, about 500-600 grams per bag, then sterilize under high pressure or normal pressure. After sterilization, inoculate, place at 22-25°C for cultivation, and after the mycelium fills the bags, extend cultivation for another 5-6 days so that the mycelium grows fully, and then cultivation can begin.

① Indoor bag-removal cultivation. After disinfecting the mushroom house, first lay a piece of plastic film on each layer of the bed surface, then lay 3cm of humus soil, flatten it, and then arrange the bag-removed fungal sticks one by one on the bed. Generally, 40 can be arranged per 1 square meter of bed surface. After arranging the fungal sticks, lightly spray water once, then cover with 3-5cm of soil, and on the surface cover another 2cm of broadleaf tree fallen leaves. Keep the soil moist and the air humidity at 85%-95%. Generally, after more than one month, fruiting bodies can emerge when the temperature is 4.4-16°C.

② Outdoor bag-removal cultivation: Fungal sticks cultivated indoors can also be moved outdoors for cultivation. Choose woodland with 3 parts sun and 7 parts shade to make beds. The bed width is 1m, depth 20-25cm, and length is unlimited. After preparing the beds, spray or lightly water once, and use 10% lime water to kill pests and miscellaneous fungi. The method of removing bags and arranging fungal sticks is the same as indoor cultivation, except that the bottom layer may not be covered with plastic film, but attention should be paid to temperature changes in the beds to prevent direct sunlight.

2. Outdoor raw substrate cultivation

Outdoors, choose a place with 3 parts sun and 7 parts shade or half shade and half sun, loose and moist soil, and good drainage. Dig a pit 20-25cm deep, first wet the bottom of the pit with water, weigh any one of the above formulas according to proportion, mix well with water, lay a layer of substrate on the bottom, flatten it to about 4-5cm, use 2 bags of spawn (12×28cm) per square meter, break into walnut-sized spawn blocks, evenly scatter them on the substrate, then cover with a thin layer of fine humus soil. Then lay a second layer of substrate on top, still 4-5cm thick, flatten it, and then sow in the same way. After sowing, cover with loose humus soil at a thickness of 3-5cm, then cover with a layer of broadleaf tree leaves to keep warm and moist. After covering, sprinkle some water appropriately. To prevent trampling by people or livestock and direct strong light, build some branches on top of the leaves.

Morel Cultivation Management

Because morels are a type of moisture-loving fungus, maintaining humidity throughout their entire growth period is very important. In outdoor cultivation, winter and especially early spring have more rain and higher humidity, and with suitable temperatures, the mycelium grows well, sclerotia are easily formed, and fruiting bodies grow well. If during the growth period, especially in early spring, there is drought, timely watering to maintain moisture is necessary. In early spring, a temperature of 4-16°C within a few weeks can stimulate the formation of morel fruiting bodies. If the temperature changes drastically at this time, such as cold below 4°C or temperature above 16°C, it will affect the formation and development of fruiting bodies. Therefore, at this time it is very necessary to create good conditions for sclerotium formation and fruiting body growth and development. In short, maintaining a certain temperature and suitable humidity for morels in early spring is the key to successful cultivation.

Pest and Disease Control for Morels

Pests and diseases can occur during both mycelial growth and fruiting body growth. Prevention should be the main approach, maintaining clean and hygienic site conditions. Before sowing, carry out site sterilization and insect-killing treatment. If pests occur later, before fruiting bodies emerge, pyrethrum or 10% lime water may be sprayed to kill pests and miscellaneous fungi.

Harvesting and Preservation of Morels

After the fruiting bodies emerge from the soil, they grow to maturity in 7-10 days. Generally, when the color changes from dark gray to light gray or brownish yellow and the honeycomb-like depressions on the cap surface are fully extended, they can be harvested. After harvesting, clean off the soil and dry in the sun or dry by heat promptly, then pack in plastic bags and seal for preservation.