Detailed Explanation of the Key Points of Shiitake Mushroom Log Cultivation Techniques
After felling trees suitable for shiitake mushroom growth, cutting the branches and trunks into segments, then carrying out artificial inoculation, and then concentrating on scientific manual management in a site suitable for shiitake mushroom growth, this method is called log cultivation of shiitake mushrooms.
1. Preparation of mushroom wood
1. Selection of mushroom wood There are many tree species suitable for the growth and development of shiitake mushrooms, including chestnut, oak, Mongolian oak, birch, Manchurian walnut, Japanese hornbeam, green alder, etc.
As trees needed for shiitake mushroom production, trees aged 15-30 years are the most suitable. For the diameter of mushroom wood, logs of 5-20 cm are relatively ideal.
2. Felling trees The selected trees should be felled in a timely manner, and the felling period is better chosen in late autumn and winter. At this time, the trees are rich in nutrients, the sap flow is slow or stopped, and the bark is not easy to peel off. After felling, because the cells of the trees will not die immediately, it is not suitable to inoculate right away. They should be left in place for several days, and only after the trees have lost part of their moisture may the branches be trimmed and the wood transported to the mushroom yard. During the process of felling and transport, the bark must be kept intact and not peeled off. It is very difficult for mycelium to colonize log segments without bark, and it is also very difficult to form primordia and mushroom buds.
3. Cutting The logs transported to the mushroom yard should be naturally air-dried for a period of time. The length of the air-drying time should be determined according to the moisture content of different tree species. When the moisture content of the mushroom wood is 35%-45%, inoculation is most suitable for mycelial growth and development. The moisture content can be judged according to the cracks on the cross-section of the mushroom wood. Generally, when fine cracks reach 2/3 of the diameter of the mushroom wood, the moisture content suitable for inoculation has been reached. At this time, the mushroom wood can be cut into log segments of about 1 m. The length of the mushroom wood should be consistent, which is convenient for stacking and racking operations.
2. Selection of the mushroom yard
The mushroom yard should be selected in a place with abundant tree resources, convenient transportation and management, ventilation and sunlight, and good drainage. The mushroom yard is best set up under a sparse broad-leaved forest or under an artificial shade shed, requiring four parts sun and six parts shade, where dappled refracted sunlight can penetrate. There should be water sources such as streams near the mushroom yard for water management. An annual average relative air humidity of about 70% is ideal. The soil quality of the mushroom yard is best if it is gravelly sandy soil, so that the mushroom yard environment can be kept clean and the mushroom wood is not easily infected by diseases or attacked by insects.
3. Inoculation
1. Inoculation time When the temperature is around 15°C, it is the best period for inoculation. Although mycelial growth is slower when the temperature is lower, there are fewer chances of contamination by competing microorganisms.
2. Inoculation methods The prepared shiitake mushroom spawn includes sawdust spawn and plug spawn, so there are two inoculation methods.
(1) Sawdust spawn inoculation method Before inoculation, first use an electric drill or hole punch to make holes in the mushroom wood. The hole depth is 1.5-2 cm, the hole diameter is 1.5 cm, the row spacing of the inoculation holes is 6-7 cm, and the hole spacing is 10 cm, arranged in a quincunx pattern. When inoculating, take a pinch of sawdust spawn, fill it into the inoculation hole, then cover the inoculation hole with a pre-prepared bark cap, and tap it flat gently with a hammer. Corn cobs can also be used as covers. First knock the corn cobs into each inoculation hole one by one with a hammer.
(2) Plug spawn inoculation method This method generally uses frustum-shaped plug spawn, and there is also cylindrical plug spawn. The spawn plugs should be prepared according to the size of the inoculation holes. Before inoculation, first make holes in the mushroom wood, then insert a piece of cultivated plug spawn into the hole and tap it flat with a hammer.
4. Stacking for mycelial growth
Mycelial growth is also called mycelium cultivation. The process of mycelial growth is the process of stacking the inoculated mushroom wood together in a certain pattern so that the mycelium quickly colonizes and spreads and grows into the mushroom wood under suitable temperature and humidity conditions. During mycelial growth, the stacking methods for mushroom wood include the following:
1. Well-shaped Suitable for use under conditions of flat terrain, high site humidity, and relatively sufficient moisture content in the mushroom wood. First place support logs on the ground, stack the inoculated mushroom wood in a well shape into a small pile 1 m high, and cover the top and surrounding sides of the pile with branches or thatch for sun protection, heat preservation, and moisture retention.
2. Horizontal stacking style When the humidity, ventilation, and other conditions of the mushroom yard are moderate, the horizontal stacking style can be used. When stacking, first place support logs horizontally, then stack the mushroom wood on the support logs in the same direction, with a pile height of about 1 m, and cover the top or sunny side with thatch.
3. Tile-covering style Suitable for relatively dry mushroom yards. First place a thicker support log horizontally on the ground, then place 4-6 mushroom wood pieces obliquely and lengthwise, and so on, arranging them stepwise in sequence.
In addition to the above 3 stacking methods, there are also the archway style, standing wood style, and triangular stacking methods. Each mushroom yard can flexibly choose according to actual conditions.