What are the key management points for the fruiting period of the lion's mane mushroom?
The lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is rich in nutrients, containing 16 kinds of amino acids needed by the human body as well as various vitamins and minerals. Its taste is delicious and palatable, making it deeply loved by consumers. When cultivating the lion's mane mushroom, the fruiting period is an extremely important stage, as it affects both yield and quality and is directly related to the grower's income. So how should the lion's mane mushroom be managed during the fruiting period? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.
1. Preparation for fruiting
When the mushroom shed is tightly shaded and dark, and 20 days after inoculation the mycelium has grown into one third of the bag, it is time to prepare for fruiting. Since the mushroom bag is made of plastic film, for normal fruiting, first cut a small slit of about 3 cm at the top, middle and bottom of the bag, so that the young buds will grow out from these slits.
2. Temperature and humidity
During fruiting, the temperature in the mushroom shed should be maintained between 12-20 degrees, with 18 degrees being the most suitable. Generally, when the temperature in the mushroom shed is higher than 26 degrees or lower than 10 degrees, the growth rate of the fruiting bodies becomes extremely slow, affecting yield and quality. Air humidity is also extremely important; during fruiting it should be kept between 85%-90% to meet the fruiting bodies' demand for moisture and humidity. When humidity is adequate, the fruiting bodies grow quickly, are white in color, and yield is higher. If humidity is too high or too low, the fruiting bodies grow slowly or stop growing, and are highly prone to deformities. When humidity is low, water or mist should be sprayed promptly to increase the humidity in the shed, while on rainy or overcast days, water should not be sprayed.
3. Timely ventilation and cooling
The lion's mane mushroom is an aerobic fungus and needs plenty of fresh oxygen during growth. With sufficient oxygen, the fruiting bodies are large, firm in texture and white in color, with high yield. It is relatively sensitive to carbon dioxide concentration; generally, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the mushroom shed exceeds 0.1%, it will grow poorly or even become deformed. Therefore, during cultivation, ventilation and air exchange must be carried out frequently. Open the vents at regular times every day. In addition, timely ventilation during high-temperature periods can also lower the temperature, but during low temperatures, ventilation should be reduced to increase temperature and retain moisture. Generally, during high temperatures, ventilate in the morning and evening for half an hour each time, while during low temperatures, ventilate at noon.
4. Control light
When the mycelium has grown to one third or two thirds of the bag, it should be given appropriate scattered light to promote the formation of fruiting bodies, but the light should not be too strong; 200—300 lux is suitable, and in this way the fruiting bodies can mature in about half a month. Although the fruiting bodies of the lion's mane mushroom form in a dark, lightless environment, they often become deformed; likewise, strong light can also cause deformed mushrooms.
The above are the key management points for the fruiting period of the lion's mane mushroom. We hope this helps you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.