What Causes Deformed Lion's Mane Mushrooms? Causes and Prevention Methods

For many years, I have been cultivating lion's mane mushrooms, and during the cultivation process I have found that some lion's mane mushrooms develop deformities. The causes and prevention methods are summarized as follows:

1. Bald mushrooms without spines

The mushroom body is clustered and branched, with enlarged individuals, a shriveled and rough surface, no spines, loose and crisp flesh, slightly yellow or brown in color, and normal aroma.

1.1 Causes

Mainly due to relatively high temperature and relatively low humidity. Under the condition of 25°C, the fruiting body evaporates too much, and if the humidity is not raised in time, no spines form, resulting in bald mushrooms.

1.2 Preventive measures

Pay attention to temperature control and moisture retention. When the temperature exceeds 25°C, for outdoor mushroom bed cultivation, the covering film should be opened in the morning and evening for ventilation, and during the day both ends of the covering film should be opened to allow air circulation; irrigate the furrows to lower the ground temperature, spray atomized water into the space to increase humidity and keep it above 90%, and thicken the shade canopy to reduce sunlight penetration and lessen water evaporation.

2. Coral-like clustering form

The base of the mushroom body branches repeatedly and clusters together, shaped like coral, and a root-like rhizomorph can clearly be seen connecting to the substrate. Some of these fruiting bodies die during the fruiting period, while others can continue to grow and develop. The tips of the small branches continuously swell, forming multiple small fruiting bodies in the state of lion's mane mushrooms.

2.1 Causes

Mainly due to excessive carbon dioxide concentration, which stimulates the continuous differentiation of the stipe and inhibits development of the central part, resulting in an irregular coral-like shape; in some cases, because the substrate contains aromatic compounds or other bactericidal substances, mycelial growth and development are inhibited or abnormally stimulated; some growers one-sidedly emphasize heat preservation and moisture retention while neglecting ventilation and air exchange. Under such saturated humidity and still-air conditions, the fruiting body is forced to develop abnormally.

2.2 Preventive methods

2.2.1 Strengthen ventilation and air exchange in the mushroom yard to eliminate the occurrence of deformed young mushrooms. Especially for indoor cultivation, extra attention should be paid to ventilation to improve environmental conditions.

2.2.2 When selecting substrate, pay attention to removing trees with bactericidal effects such as Chinese fir, pine, camphor, poplar, and pagoda tree.

2.2.3 For fruiting bodies that have already formed a coral-like shape, scrape them off together with the surface substrate immediately while they are young, and then cultivate again for normal fruiting.

3. Abnormal mushroom color

The mushroom body turns yellow in color, and the spines are short and thick. Some fruiting bodies turn red, or from the young mushroom stage to maturity are pink, and the mushroom body has a bitter taste.

3.1 Causes

Relatively low temperature. Often in autumn and winter cultivation, when the temperature drops suddenly and the fruiting body development and growth stage is below 10°C, the mushroom body turns red, and the color deepens as the temperature drops. During indoor cultivation, when ventilating, the fruiting body is stimulated by direct draft, and the mushroom body turns sallow. For discolored mushrooms, the causes should be distinguished and treated accordingly. For those caused by low temperature, when arranging inoculation, it should be considered that about 25 days after inoculation, the local temperature should preferably not be lower than 14°C. Using this as the boundary, calculate backward to determine the best inoculation period, thereby avoiding damage from low temperature.

3.2 Preventive measures

For outdoor bed cultivation, the covering film can be sealed, ventilated when the temperature is high at noon, and the covering can be thinned to let in light and increase temperature; for indoor cultivation, avoid direct blowing of wind onto the mushroom body during ventilation, or cover the mushroom bags near the windows with wet gauze.