How to cultivate the growing blocks in shiitake mushroom block cultivation (Part 1)

A well-cultivated growing block does not grow mold, its mycelium grows vigorously, and its color quickly changes from pale yellow to white, then from white to reddish-brown with a glossy sheen. This is the foundation for a high shiitake yield.

1. Mycelial healing stage

Because the mycelium is damaged to some extent when the bottles are dug out and pressed into blocks, there must be a process of recovery and healing. The key management points at this stage are: maintain a suitable temperature (around 24°C), humidity and fresh air, and prevent mold from occurring. The key is to control the timing and frequency of ventilation according to changes in air temperature. Ventilation includes two aspects: on the one hand, ventilation of the cultivation room should be combined with the need for temperature regulation to ensure fresh air in the mushroom house. On the other hand, ventilation of the microclimate under the plastic film covering the growing blocks is the more important aspect.

Ventilation of the cultivation room and ventilation of the microclimate of the growing blocks can be carried out at the same time during the day. Ventilation of the cultivation room should keep the air in the mushroom house fresh, and the ventilation time should depend on the air temperature. When the temperature exceeds 25°C, doors and windows can be opened at night; when the temperature is below 23°C, ventilation of the cultivation room can be arranged during the day. The ventilation method for the microclimate should generally follow the principle of "early, light, heavy."

Early: This means the time to lift the covering plastic film should be early. When the temperature is high, ventilation is needed 1 day after pressing into blocks; at suitable temperature, ventilate after 2 days; when the temperature is somewhat low, ventilate after 3 days. If the day-night temperature difference is less than 5°C, and the air pressure is low and the air humidity is high, then ventilation is needed 1 day after pressing into blocks. If new plastic film is used for covering, and the ventilation conditions of the mushroom house are poor, even more attention should be paid to ventilating early. If the mushroom blocks develop a wine-like smell and the mycelium does not recover quickly, the covering plastic film should also be raised a little higher. In short, after pressing into blocks, the bed surface should be checked every day, and problems should be solved promptly.

Light: This means that within 5 days after pressing into blocks, ventilation should be light. At this time, the broken mycelium has not yet healed well, and the newly grown mycelium is relatively tender. It is prone to shrinking, so when ventilating, the plastic film should be lifted gently and lowered slowly. The purpose is to increase oxygen and speed up mycelial healing.

Heavy: This means that after 5 days of pressing into blocks, when the surface mycelium is already very white, ventilation should be heavy. When ventilating, the plastic film should be lifted and shaken vigorously several times. It is best to pull both sides toward each other and shake vigorously, then cover it well again. This can reduce the surface humidity of the blocks and inhibit excessive vegetative growth of the surface mycelium. The number of times to lift and shake the plastic film depends on the air temperature. When the temperature exceeds 25°C, lift and shake 3-4 times per day. When the temperature is below 23°C, lift and shake 1-2 times per day. If the growing blocks are found to produce a wine-like smell and the air humidity is relatively high, the plastic film must be lifted and shaken more often.