Indoor Cultivation Techniques for Oyster Mushrooms: Detailed Explanation of Compounding, Filling, and Spawning Methods

1. Formula of the growing substrate

Generally, cottonseed hulls are the better choice for the growing substrate, because cottonseed hulls are relatively rich in nutrients and also have good air permeability. Choose dry cottonseed hulls with no mold, and it is best to sun-dry them for 2-3 days in advance. The raw material formula is: 100 kg cottonseed hulls, add 2 kg superphosphate, 3 kg gypsum, 0.2 kg carbendazim, and add about 150-160 kg water (depending on how dry the cottonseed hulls are and how much cotton lint they contain). Mix the above raw materials thoroughly, and adjust the moisture until it feels right when squeezed tightly by hand: water droplets appear between the fingers but do not drip (moisture content is about 60%).

2. Filling

After the growing substrate is mixed, it can be moved into the room. Some also pile up the mixed growing substrate before spawning, that is, cover it with plastic film and straw curtains to let it heat up and ferment, piling for 2-3 days, and after the temperature drops to 25°C, move it into the room to spread the substrate and spawn in layers. The purpose of piling is to promote the decomposition of nutrients in the growing substrate and prevent the growing substrate from generating high temperatures after being put on the beds.

3. Spawning

The spawning period for autumn mushrooms should preferably start in mid-to-late September, and spring spawning can start in early March. At this time, the temperature is stable below 25°C, suitable for oyster mushroom spawning. Before spawning, first check whether the spawn is contaminated by miscellaneous fungi, and at the same time disinfect the outside of the bottles and the tools used with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution. Then dig the spawn out of the bottle with an iron hook, tear it into pieces the size of broad beans (do not rub it into powder, as this affects mycelial growth), and place it in a basin for later use.

Spawning generally adopts a combination of broadcasting and layer spawning. For spring spawning, the substrate (cottonseed hulls) input per square meter is 10-13 kg, and for autumn spawning 15-17 kg, requiring 4-6 bottles (bags) of spawn. The amount of spawn used is best at 10% of the growing substrate. Spawn in layers according to one layer of substrate and one layer of spawn (broadcasting); divide into two layers for spring spawning and three layers for autumn spawning. The bottommost layer is the growing substrate, and the topmost layer is the spawn, then use a wooden board to level and compact it, cover the substrate surface closely with a layer of old newspaper, scatter a few straws on the newspaper, cover it with plastic film and straw curtains, and finally insert a thermometer, measuring, observing, and recording the temperature every morning, noon, and evening.