Detailed Explanation of Mushroom Cylinder Cultivation Technology in Cold Greenhouses (Part 1)

I. Sowing Time

In the Xinbin area, from March 20 to April 10, preferably completed before Qingming Festival. When the temperature inside the greenhouse reaches above 5°C, cylinder production and cultivation can begin.

II. Ingredient Mixing and Sterilization

Formula 1: Broadleaf sawdust 87%, wheat bran 8%, rice bran 8%, cornmeal 3%, gypsum 1%, with a moisture content of 58%-62%.

Formula 2: Broadleaf sawdust 50 kg, wheat bran 10 kg, gypsum 1 kg, with a moisture content of 58%-62%.

1. Mixing: The mixed material should be sterilized promptly and must not be left for more than 2-3 hours, to avoid the growth of contaminant bacteria that could result in incomplete sterilization.

2. Steaming and Sterilization: Use the top-steam loading method, sprinkling material as steam appears, completing it in one continuous process until the pot is full. Before sealing the pot, place the small woven bags used for unloading the material into the upper layer of the pot to steam together, which serves to disinfect them. After sealing the pot, wait until steam rises from the pot and begin timing, maintaining a temperature above 98°C and steaming for 2-3 hours.

3. Unloading and Cooling: After the material is steamed, it should be unloaded while hot. Fill small woven bags with the material, preferably 15 kg per bag, and place them in a rain-sheltered, light-sheltered, clean area to cool to below 25°C, then inoculate promptly.

4. Mixing with Spawn and Making Cylinders: Once the steamed culture material has cooled to 25°C, immediately mix with spawn and make cylinders. The mixing site must be strictly disinfected. Mix the pre-crushed spawn into the cooled material, mix thoroughly, and immediately make the mushroom cylinders.

III. Cylinder-Making Method

Lay out the plastic film, position the mold at the correct size and align it properly, then pour the culture material mixed with spawn between the two cylinders in 4-5 batches, pressing the material after each addition, with moderate firmness. After pressing, remove the outer iron sheet hanging ring, gently take off the iron sheet, then wrap plastic around the outside of the cylinder material, ensuring the bottom end contacts the plastic film well and sealing it with tape, leaving a section of plastic at the top for sealing. Then punch a row of holes around the perimeter every 10-15 cm, gently shake the inner cylinder back and forth and left and right, then pull it out, and cover the top plastic again to complete the cylinder-making process. Each cylinder uses about 50 kg of wet material (equivalent to about 20 kg of dry material).

IV. Spawn Running Management

In the early stage of spawn running, it is essential to raise the temperature inside the material to between 20-22°C within a short time, so that the mycelium immediately colonizes the material, occupies the territory, and suppresses the growth of contaminant bacteria. At night, cover the mushroom cylinders with plastic or straw curtains for insulation. At this time, as long as no contaminant bacteria appear, the oxygen inside the material and the greenhouse is sufficient for mycelial growth. After about 20 days of mycelial growth, slow growth and oxygen deficiency may occur. At this point, the plastic film at the upper middle part of the cylinders can be opened at night and tightly covered during the day, or a small gap can be left; the plastic around the greenhouse should also be appropriately adjusted for ventilation; the second round of hole punching on the cylinders should also be carried out at this time, allowing the mycelium to continue growing under oxygen-rich conditions. In well-colonized cylinders, you can see the mycelium has overcome the contaminant bacteria and turned white, and it smells with a fresh fragrance characteristic of mushroom mycelium.