Key Management Techniques for Log-Cultivated Ganoderma in Summer

1. Thinning: About 10-20 days after the mature colonized logs are covered with soil, primordia begin to form. Because the light in artificial shade sheds is generally quite strong, the cut cross-sections of the logs are stimulated by light and tend to form numerous primordia. To improve the quality of the Ganoderma, excess primordia should be removed, leaving only 1-2 thick, sturdy primordia per log segment. If two primordia are kept, they should be more than 15 cm apart. Otherwise, after the caps differentiate, they will crowd and stick together, causing deformities and reducing commercial value. Thinning can be done by simply picking them off by hand, then covering the spot with fine soil to prevent new primordia from forming and consuming nutrients.

2. Waterlogging prevention: After the log is decomposed by mycelium, the wood becomes soft and loose with a strong water-absorbing capacity. If after a heavy rain the Ganoderma yard cannot drain promptly, the logs will hold excessive water, the wood's capillaries will become blocked, and the mycelium's nutrient transport will be hindered. The fruiting bodies will stop growing or even die. Therefore, in addition to routinely clearing the drainage ditches, the plastic film should be arched up promptly when it rains to strictly prevent rain from hitting and soaking the bed surface. For logs that have been soaked in water, dig them out promptly and dry them in the sun for 3-5 days. Once the moisture content of the logs drops below 35%, rebuild the raised beds and cover with soil again, and they can still produce Ganoderma normally.

3. Ventilation: The Ganoderma yard needs both ventilation and moisture retention, and air circulation in the yard is the primary condition for preventing the breeding of various weed molds and the occurrence of pest damage. Therefore, in addition to keeping the north and south doors of the shade shed opposite each other, ground windows should also be added, with multiple ground windows set in opposing pairs, so that the Ganoderma grows smoothly under conditions of ventilation and alternating dry and wet.

4. Light: The length of the Ganoderma stalk, and whether its color is dull or glossy, are closely related to the light intensity in the shade shed. Testing has shown that with a light transmittance above 40%, the stalk is only 2-3 cm long, or even nearly absent, and the cap is rough and lusterless. With a light transmittance within 20%, the stalk can grow to 8-12 cm, and the cap is glossy, close to that of wild Ganoderma. Therefore, covering the shade shed with fern grass is best. If conditions permit, it is best to plant climbing plants such as pumpkin or hyacinth bean around the shed and at its center. When the hot season arrives, the dense vines and leaves of the gourds and beans can effectively lower the temperature and light in the Ganoderma yard, protecting the Ganoderma from the harm of intense heat.

5. Timely harvesting: As people's consumption levels rise, black Ganoderma has mostly shifted to being eaten as food in high-consumption areas. It is now widely recognized among eaters that thin-edged Ganoderma harvested at less than 70% maturity tastes better than thick-edged ones. Therefore, growers should be market-guided and flexibly grasp the harvesting timing to obtain the best economic returns. After harvesting, the Ganoderma bed should be loosened promptly, and the air humidity in the yard should be adjusted to above 85% to facilitate the smooth emergence of the second flush of Ganoderma.