Detailed Explanation of Key Points for High-Yield Cultivation Techniques of Nameko Mushroom

Nameko mushroom, also known as Pholiota microspora, is mainly cultivated using sawdust as the substrate, though log cultivation is also used, and the cultivation methods are diverse. Developing Nameko mushroom production is a wealth-building project with low investment, quick returns, high yield, good benefits, and low risk. The finished Nameko mushroom products can be sold domestically and also exported to earn foreign exchange, making it a path to wealth for mountain farmers to escape poverty and achieve moderate prosperity.

1. Site

Choose a flat terrain, well-ventilated, clean environment, and pollution-free location for cultivation. The mushroom house can use wooden poles as the frame, surrounded by plastic film or straw curtains, crop stalks, etc. For those with long-term development plans, welded steel bars can also be used. The cultivation shelves inside the mushroom house can be of unlimited length, mainly for convenient operation. The shelf width is 40-45cm, and the spacing between shelf layers is 35-40cm, generally 6-7 layers. The working aisle is 1m. The mushroom house requires insulation, moisture retention, and also ventilation for air exchange.

2. Timing

The cultivation season for Nameko mushroom is in early spring. Generally, work can begin when the outdoor temperature is between -2 and 5°C. If too early, the mycelium is not easily activated; if too late, rising temperatures make it prone to contamination. This should be determined according to local temperatures. Cultivation can be carried out from mid-February to early March.

3. Raw Materials

The main raw material for cultivating Nameko mushroom is sawdust from broadleaf trees, primarily hard mixed woods. Choose sawdust that is free from mold, not clumped, and without off-odors. It is best to use sawdust that has been stored for a slightly longer period (up to half a year), stored outdoors and soaked by rain, but without mold or deterioration. Using such materials to cultivate Nameko mushroom results in fast mycelium spread and high yield. Wheat bran or rice bran should also be fresh, without deterioration or off-odors.

4. Preparing the Culture Medium

There are many formulas for the culture medium. Three of them are introduced below: ① Sawdust 80%, wheat bran 19%, gypsum 1%. ② Sawdust 50%, corncob powder 30%, wheat bran 19%, gypsum 1%. ③ Sawdust 54%, corn stalk powder 30%, wheat bran 15%, gypsum 1%. First, mix all raw materials thoroughly and evenly, then add water using a spray bottle, adding water while pouring the materials. The moisture content should reach 60%, meaning when you squeeze the sawdust tightly in your hand and release it, it forms a clump without dripping water. At this point, steam the materials. Ensure that materials are added only when steam is rising, and add materials while steam is rising. When the pot is eight-tenths full, stop adding materials and seal the pot opening tightly. Start counting time from when steam rises vigorously, and keep on high heat for 2-2.5 hours. Then let it sit for 1 hour before taking it out and packing into trays. Pack into pre-cut polyethylene film. The polyethylene film specifications are 1m wide tubular material with a thickness of 0.03mm. The trays can be made by threading corn stalks together. The tray specifications are 55-60cm x 35cm. One tray can be made with 6-7 stalks, with a spacing of 2.5-3.0cm between stalks. The weight of the culture medium in each tray is 4.5-5kg, and the thickness after compaction should be controlled at 3.5-4cm.

5. Inoculation and Cultivation

When the temperature of the culture medium drops below 20°C, inoculation can be carried out. The inoculation site should be chosen in a clean place free from contaminating microorganisms. First, break the spawn into small pieces of 0.5-1.0cm, then open the film, evenly sprinkle the spawn on the surface of the culture medium, and quickly wrap it up. Each 500g of spawn can inoculate 3 trays.

6. Mycelium Growth and Management

After inoculation, the mushroom trays should be stacked in piles of 6-8 trays, covered with straw curtains, crop stalks, etc. Both moisture retention and ventilation are needed. Every week, the stacks should be turned once, moving the top to the bottom and exchanging positions. After 20-25 days, the mycelium will basically cover the surface. At this point, the mushroom trays can be placed on shelves, laid flat individually. The mushroom house should be ventilated once a week to supply oxygen to the trays. After another 4 weeks, the mycelium will penetrate the culture medium, and an orange-red waxy layer will form on the surface of the substrate. This is the late stage of mycelium growth. At this time, increase the scattered light in the mushroom house and maintain air circulation.

7. Opening the Tray and Scoring the Surface

Open the film of the mushroom tray and use a small knife to score small grooves 0.2-0.5 deep at intervals of 3cm along the surface of the culture medium. Generally, score 6-7 rows per tray. Note that the best time to open the tray is when the maximum temperature is below 24°C. Each region should arrange this according to local temperature conditions. Colder regions can open the trays earlier.

8. Fruiting and Management

After opening the tray, the culture medium has an adaptation period of 3-5 days. During this time, do not spray water on the surface of the tray. Continue to keep the film covering the surface of the culture medium. Spray water only after new mycelium threads grow from the scored lines. The initial watering period is 4-5 days, spraying a small amount of mist water into the tray each day, just keeping the surface of the tray moist. Water should be sprayed on the floor and in the air of the mushroom house to increase humidity, keeping the humidity inside the mushroom house at 85%-90%, spraying water 3-4 times per month. After 5 days, it enters the heavy watering period. Spray water into the tray to allow water to penetrate into the tray. At this time, increase nighttime watering so that the moisture content of the tray reaches 70% within 20 days. For thicker waxy layers, more water can be sprayed appropriately; for thinner ones, less water. When temperature and humidity are both suitable and the conditions needed for primordium formation are met, light yellow primordia begin to form on the surface of the tray. At this time, maintain spatial humidity. When the mushroom caps grow to 0.3-0.5cm, appropriately increase the amount of water sprayed, preferably as mist. Regularly ventilate the mushroom house to ensure sufficient oxygen content.

9. Harvesting

Harvest timely according to the purchasing standards for Nameko mushroom. When the mushroom cap diameter reaches 1.5-2cm, harvest promptly. This should avoid the fruiting bodies opening their caps, which lowers the selling price, reduces nutrient consumption in the tray, and also helps with earlier transition to the next flush. After harvesting one flush, clean the surface thoroughly, stop watering for 4-5 days to allow the mycelium to recover and accumulate nutrients, creating favorable conditions for the growth of the next flush. The timing of harvest is very important. Pay attention to improving the yield and quality of the mushroom bodies.