Key Technical Points for Temperature Management During the Spawn-Running Stage of Oyster Mushrooms

When oyster mushroom mycelium grows thick and vigorous, the spawn-running success rate is high; especially in the sterilized-substrate cultivation process, the mycelium has a lower chance of being infected by contaminant microorganisms than other varieties. However, in the raw-material cultivation process, its temperature requirements during the mycelial growth stage are very strict. Therefore, correctly mastering the suitable spawn-running temperature is the key to ensuring the success of raw-material cultivation of oyster mushrooms.

Oyster mushroom mycelium grows vigorously at 20°C-30°C and has strong resistance to contaminant microorganisms; even if occasional contamination occurs, the oyster mushroom mycelium can penetrate and consume it, and the spawn runs quickly, with the mycelium dense, white and thick, a short mycelial age, fast flushing between flushes, vigorous fruiting bodies during the fruiting period, and a high biological efficiency. When the substrate temperature inside the bag exceeds 35°C, the oyster mushroom mycelium stops growing. Therefore, during the spawn-running stage of oyster mushrooms, excessively high substrate temperatures must be strictly prevented. A thermometer should be used routinely for measurement, and once the substrate temperature is found to exceed 33°C, the stacks should be turned promptly. Methods such as leaving gaps between the bags, appropriately reducing the number of layers stacked, and separating the layers with small bamboo poles can be adopted to prevent excessively high substrate temperatures. It is worth noting that the spawn-running temperature for oyster mushrooms is not as low as possible; spawn running at lower temperatures is also not good. If the substrate temperature remains below 15°C for a long time, oyster mushroom mycelium develops slowly, while the chance of contaminant microorganisms such as Trichoderma occurring is very high. Once green mold and other mycelia proliferate in large amounts, they compete with the oyster mushroom mycelium for nutrients and secrete large amounts of toxins, inhibiting the growth of the oyster mushroom mycelium, causing the entire bag to rot, soften and become moldy, resulting in losses. Therefore, in cold seasons, spawn running should be carried out in a heated greenhouse or in a warm, sunny place.