Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation Experience Sharing: A Detailed Explanation of Lin Baowen's Growing Method

Lin Baowen of Langgu Village, Yangjia Township, Wafangdian City, began cultivating shiitake mushrooms 9 years ago. In a 180 sq m arched shed, he cultivates 4800 shiitake blocks, with an annual net profit of more than 20,000 yuan. Through his demonstration and leadership, more than 40 surrounding farming households have successively taken up shiitake mushroom production, and he is known by everyone as a leader in shiitake mushroom production. His experience in cultivating shiitake mushrooms is as follows.

1. Selection of spawn Since the sowing period is in November, the shed temperature during the mycelium-running period and the fruiting period is greatly affected by outside air temperature. Therefore, wide-temperature-type varieties are selected, such as "Xiang VED" and others.

2. Formula of the growing substrate: 78% hardwood sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1% gypsum and 1% sugar, and 0.1% magnesium sulfate.

3. High-temperature sterilization First fill the steamer with water, lay 1 layer of gunny sack on the steaming rack to prevent the substrate from falling through, and spread the growing substrate evenly on the rack to a thickness of 8-10 cm. When steam rises, use a shovel to scatter the substrate in layers, taking care to watch the surface of the substrate and scatter the substrate wherever steam appears, until it reaches 20 cm from the top. Press it tight and cover it firmly. After steam rises at the top layer, sterilize for another 4-6 hours, then remove from the steamer and cool, waiting to press into blocks.

4. Block pressing and inoculation Break the spawn blocks into small pieces, mix them evenly into the growing substrate, and then scatter 1 layer of spawn on the surface. The block substrate specification is 37 cm in diameter and 10 cm thick. After pressing into blocks, run the mycelium on shelves.

5. Block cultivation is divided into 3 stages in total. In the initial 1-20 days after inoculation, a relatively low temperature is needed, generally controlled at 0-8°C. After 10 days, raise the temperature to 5-12°C, and after 20 days the mycelium can cover the surface. The second stage is the mycelium-running period from 20-40 days, with a suitable temperature of 10-20°C, and the relative air humidity controlled at about 65%. After 40 days the mycelium can fill the growing substrate. The third stage is the color-turning period from 40-60 days, namely the stage of color turning and water exudation. After the mycelium is fully grown, ventilate appropriately and increase scattered light to promote color turning; when yellow water is exuded, remove the yellow water promptly to prevent the blocks from rotting.

6. Fruiting management After the mushroom blocks have completely turned color, enter fruiting management. During the day, open the film on the blocks so they contact the air, and at night wrap them up again, increase ventilation, and increase the day-night temperature difference. After 2-3 days of treatment, the blocks enter the fruiting stage. The fruiting temperature is controlled at 15-22°C, and the relative air humidity is maintained at about 90%. Harvest fresh mushrooms promptly. After the first flush, run the mycelium for about 20 days, then soak in water or spray water to enter the management for the second flush.