How to grow shiitake mushrooms in winter for high yields

Selecting blocks: Take the shiitake blocks and logs that have been fully colonized by mycelium and dry them thoroughly, then choose uncontaminated, intact blocks or logs for treatment. If the old mycelial skin is too thick, you can scratch the surface to stimulate it, and use them only after the mycelium has healed.

Soaking: Soaking blocks in hot water is an ideal method for forcing mushroom buds when cultivating shiitake in winter. When soaking the blocks, heat the water to 33°C, then put the shiitake blocks or logs into the pool and soak for 3—5 hours. If the water temperature drops, add boiling water to adjust the water temperature to 18°C—33°C, then scoop out the soaked shiitake blocks and place them at the fruiting site, covering them with plastic film to maintain their temperature until buds appear on the blocks, then carry out ventilation and air exchange. If the air temperature is low during the fruiting period, you can directly spray hot water at 18°C—33°C onto the blocks, then cover them with plastic film to raise the temperature of the environment inside the film, so as to favor normal growth of the shiitake.

Harvesting the mushrooms and supplementing the blocks' nutrients: After the soaked blocks are covered with film, continue to keep them warm; the mushroom buds can quickly push out of the blocks, and at this time strengthen ventilation and raise the air temperature. After 10—17 days you can harvest the first flush. After harvesting, uncover the film and let the shiitake blocks dry thoroughly for 7—15 days, then soak them a second time in hot water. After harvesting the second flush, certain nutrients should be supplied to the shiitake blocks. Commonly used nutrient substances include: triacontanol solution, 30ppm citric acid solution, 0.2% monopotassium phosphate and glucose solution, less than 0.2% urea, soy milk, rice-washing water, mushroom growth hormone, etc.