How to cope with severe weather in winter and spring greenhouse oyster mushroom production?
In winter and spring, severe weather such as snowfall, cold waves, strong winds, prolonged overcast fog, and sustained low temperatures often arrives uninvited. In mild cases it causes reduced oyster mushroom yields and lower quality; in severe cases it causes total crop failure. Therefore, prevention of and response to severe weather should be strengthened.
Main preventive measures: Wipe the greenhouse film to improve light transmittance; inspect the greenhouse facilities to ensure the greenhouse's insulation performance; prepare insulating and warming items such as straw mats and old greenhouse film.
Response management measures
Cold wave and strong wind cooling weather: Before a cold wave and strong winds arrive, seal the vents tightly, cover the greenhouse film securely, and add a layer of intact old plastic film over the straw mats. When the wind is strong, set 2 to 3 thick ropes or No. 8 iron wires in an east-west direction over the straw mats, fix both sides with wooden stakes, and this can withstand level 6 to 7 strong winds. After the temperature drops, the straw mats should be uncovered late and covered early, and ventilation should be carried out at noon to help preserve heat and moisture. When the wind is strong, roll the straw mats to 1/3 to 1/2 of the greenhouse depending on wind strength. In addition, strong winds easily carry away moisture from the mushroom bodies inside the greenhouse, causing dry edges on the mushroom caps, so water should be sprayed continuously into the greenhouse space to maintain relative humidity.
Snowfall weather: Weather forecasts should be listened to in a timely manner. Before heavy snow falls, for some greenhouses with large spans and few pillars, temporary pillars must be added to support the arch frames and prevent trouble before it happens. At the same time, add a layer of intact old plastic film over the greenhouse straw mats, cover the entire greenhouse tightly, and press the surrounding edges firmly with bricks. After the snow stops, clear the snow immediately; if snowfall continues, clear it as it falls to prevent the snow from becoming too thick and collapsing the greenhouse. After the weather clears, immediately uncover the straw mats. If the light is too strong, cover the straw mats around noon to ensure the oyster mushrooms do not "flash mushrooms" due to strong light. Two to three days after the snow, the ice and snow begin to melt. At this time the temperature is relatively low, so the straw mats should be uncovered late and covered early, that is, uncover the straw mats after 10 a.m. and cover the straw mats at 3 to 4 p.m. Ventilation should be carried out at noon when the temperature is relatively high.
Prolonged overcast fog weather: Prolonged overcast fog weather in winter and spring is often accompanied by low temperatures. During this period, as long as temperature conditions permit during the day, the straw mats should be uncovered to use scattered light to raise the temperature inside the greenhouse. If there are many oyster mushrooms in the greenhouse, ventilate for 1 to 2 hours at noon; if there are few oyster mushrooms, ventilate once every 3 to 5 days. Also pay attention to artificial humidification.
Sustained low temperature weather: If the temperature remains below -7°C for more than 3 consecutive days, warming measures should be taken to ensure that freezing damage does not occur. First, build a small arch shed inside the greenhouse. Second, take artificial heating measures, but it must be noted that open flames cannot be used; otherwise, the carbon monoxide produced cannot dissipate, affecting oyster mushroom growth and easily causing fires.