How to Grow Poria (Wolfiporia cocos)? A Full Analysis of Methods and Key Technical Points

Poria is one of the bulk medicinal herbs; it can be eaten and also used as medicine, and the most common form of poria in our daily lives is poria paste. It is a cooling food that clears heat and reduces internal fire, and it also has effects such as calming the mind and strengthening the spleen and stomach. It can be used often in our daily lives, but we are not clear about how poria is grown. Perhaps it is just like other planted crops, or perhaps there are some differences. Below is what Qinnong Network wants to share with everyone today; let's take a look.

1. Material preparation

Growing poria differs somewhat from growing other medicinal herbs, mainly because it is itself a facultative parasitic fungus, so before planting, materials must be prepared and mycelium cultivation carried out; only then can it grow normally. The most favorable nutrient for poria fungus growth is pine wood, so we need to prepare pine wood, then divide it into sections or make it into tree stumps for material preparation. Each section is about 1 m long; remove the bark, place it on the ground, and then cover it with grass material.

2. Land preparation

For poria cultivation, it is best to choose sloped sandy soil with good drainage, so the drainage effect will be better. Next, deep plowing should be carried out, the soil should be broken up finely and leveled, and then the soil should be piled up for disinfection and sterilization. Another point to note is that continuous cropping is prohibited in poria planting sites, because a large number of other fungi will affect the growth of poria. About half a month before inoculation, another deep plowing is needed, which can thoroughly remove impurities and pests in the soil and ensure the growth of poria.

3. Inoculation

Poria can be inoculated in spring and autumn. First, we need to select suitable spawn or fresh whole poria seeds. Next, in the prepared land, open pits along the slope, place the log sections along the opened pits, and then we need to disinfect the spawn first as well as fully disinfect the people doing the inoculation, so as to avoid bacterial infection. After disinfection, evenly place the spawn at the two ends or joints of the log sections, then scatter a layer of termite-killing agent, and finally cover lightly with soil.

4. Management

About one week after inoculation, white mycelium will grow. We should promptly check the fungus emergence in the field, and if there are gaps, replant in time. Then, about every ten days, conduct an inspection to see how the poria is doing, whether there is dead fungus or foreign fungus. If there is, remove it in time, otherwise it will infect other healthy spawn. After half a month, if termites appear in the soil, we must exterminate the ants, because termites are the natural enemy of poria growth. Finally, pay attention to field moisture; if there is too much water, drain it in time, and if the log sections are exposed above the ground, carry out earthing-up treatment, etc.

5. Disease prevention

Throughout the growth of poria, there are many pests and diseases. Here, the editor will only briefly mention a few. The main ones are infections by some fungi, such as Trichoderma and Penicillium. The general control method is to cover the log sections with a layer of rice straw or plastic film when earthing up, which can effectively prevent them. Second, carbendazim can be sprayed. There is also soft rot, which often occurs, mainly caused by excessive field moisture. First, field management needs to be strengthened and drainage carried out in time; then carbendazim or Bordeaux mixture can also be sprayed. Finally, the biggest natural enemy of poria is termites. We can choose to control them with ant fungi, the natural enemies of termites, and second, apply and scatter termite-killing powder.