Detailed Explanation of Key Production Techniques for Autumn Edible Fungi

It is currently the high-temperature season, but autumn is just around the corner. There will still be a period of high-temperature weather in autumn. In autumn, on one hand, we must manage the spring-planted shiitake mushroom bags well; on the other hand, we must make good preparations for autumn planting production.

I. Management of Spring-Planted Shiitake Mushroom Bags

There will still be a fairly long period of high-temperature weather in autumn. The main management goal is to prevent high temperatures from burning the mushroom bags and affecting later fruiting.

1. Temperature management. Temperature is an important factor affecting the growth and development of shiitake mushroom bags, so management must closely follow the main line of lowering temperature. Take measures and do everything possible to keep the bag temperature from exceeding 30°C. During management, always pay attention to the integrity of the summering shed; any damage must be repaired promptly. Especially in high-temperature weather, water-sprinkling cooling measures should be taken (9-10 o'clock).

2. Ventilation management. On sunny days, after sunset and before sunrise, raise the surrounding nets for ventilation; on cloudy and rainy days, ventilate all day.

3. Release the accumulated yellow water inside the bags. Due to temperature differences, yellow water sometimes accumulates inside shiitake mushroom bags. When the yellow water accumulates into a pool, puncture holes to release it, so as to avoid causing contamination of the mushroom bags by unwanted microorganisms.

4. Make good preparations for fruiting. New growers and experienced growers expanding cultivation scale should start early to build fruiting sheds, so as not to affect production. Growers cultivating early-maturing varieties (such as Lingxian No. 1 and Xiangyang No. 1) should prepare even earlier and must have everything ready by the end of July.

II. Autumn Production

The autumn cultivation varieties in our city include oyster mushroom, shiitake mushroom, enoki mushroom, king oyster mushroom, white lingzhi mushroom, double-spore mushroom, and others. The characteristics of autumn cultivation are many varieties and a tight cultivation schedule. In order not to miss the timing, to cultivate at the right time, and to fruit at natural temperatures, the following aspects of work must be done in advance.

1. Plan early, prepare early. The autumn bag-making period is relatively short, so the production scale should not be too large. According to your own cultivation conditions, choose the cultivation varieties and plan the cultivation scale. Prepare sufficient high-quality raw and auxiliary materials and corresponding facility conditions early.

2. Order sufficient high-quality spawn early. Most autumn cultivation varieties are early-maturing varieties, and the amount of spawn used is relatively large. Mushroom growers should, according to their own production scale, sign spawn supply contracts with spawn farms of good reputation, so as to avoid delays in cultivation time and impacts on cultivation benefits due to spawn shortages.

3. Cultivate in the appropriate cultivation season. The appropriate cultivation season for most townships in our city is mid-to-late August to mid-to-late September; in high-altitude areas, it starts in early-to-mid August and ends in early-to-mid September. Too early affects the finished product rate, and too late affects fruiting. Therefore, we hope that the vast number of mushroom grower friends will make all preparations as early as possible and ensure cultivation is carried out in the appropriate cultivation season.