Introduction to the methods of germination and sowing of Gastrodia mushroom spawn

1. Types of germination fungi

The germination fungi of Gastrodia seeds reported so far all belong to 4 species of fungi in the Tricholomataceae family, Mycena genus. Their names are: first, Mycena osmarioides; second, Mycena orchidicola; third, Mycena dendrobii; fourth, Mycena anoectochila. In 1999, we isolated and cultured another type of fungus for Gastrodia seed germination, which is Trametes lactinea of the Polyporaceae family. This fungus is superior to the above four fungi in production and application during the higher temperature season.

2. Production technology of germination fungi

Isolation and culture of the mother spawn of germination fungi: Armillaria fruiting bodies are very easy to collect at Gastrodia cultivation sites and wild production areas. However, it is very difficult to collect the fruiting bodies of germination fungi. At present, there are only two relatively good methods for isolating germination fungus spawn. One is to collect fruiting bodies such as Mycena osmarioides, Mycena dendrobii, and Trametes lactinea, and obtain spawn by tissue or spore isolation from the fruiting bodies. The spore isolation method for germination fungi is exactly the same as the spore isolation method for Armillaria spawn. The second is to use the protocorm formed by Gastrodia seeds as isolation material. However, spawn obtained by isolation from protocorms must undergo production trials before it can be used in production. This is because the fungi that help Gastrodia seeds germinate are now known to be not just a few species in one genus or one family, but multiple species in multiple genera and families. Moreover, the mycelium of some species of fungi has a relatively poor effect on promoting Gastrodia seed germination. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase mother spawn or stock spawn of germination fungi from research institutions or regular spawn manufacturers for expanded production.

Cultivation spawn formula: most of the germination fungus cultivation spawn currently used in production is prepared with broadleaf tree fallen leaves. There are two production methods: one is to prepare it after crushing the leaves, and the other is to prepare it with whole leaves. Whether using crushed leaves or whole leaves, they must be soaked in clean water for 3-4 hours, then taken out and drained of surface water, and then 20% wheat bran, 1% gypsum, and 1% sucrose are sprinkled in. After mixing evenly, they can be filled into bottles or plastic bags, sterilized, and inoculated. Sawdust and cottonseed hulls are also used to prepare germination fungus cultivation spawn.

3. Companion sowing technology of germination fungi and Gastrodia seeds

Before sowing, take out the already cultured germination fungus cultivation spawn from the culture bottles or plastic bags and place it in a washbasin or plastic basin. Use 2 bottles of spawn per square meter. If it is leaf spawn, separate the sticky fungal leaves one by one for later use; if it is sawdust or cottonseed hull spawn, break the spawn into small granules for later use.

Shake the Gastrodia seeds out of the fruit and gently sprinkle them onto the fungal leaves, mixing while sprinkling. The seeds should be sprinkled in multiple batches. After sprinkling, mix evenly before sprinkling again, so as to avoid the seeds concentrating and sticking to a few leaves, which would affect germination and inoculation effectiveness. The work of sprinkling and mixing seeds should be done by two people working together, with one person specially sprinkling the seeds and one person specially mixing the seeds evenly into the fungal leaves by hand. When sprinkling Gastrodia seeds, it should be done indoors and in a sheltered place to prevent the wind from blowing the seeds away. The best sprinkling method is to choose a glass bottle of moderate size, crush the fruits and seeds to be sprinkled into the bottle, use a small needle to make some small holes of suitable size and spacing in plastic to form a small-hole sieve, then fasten the plastic small-hole sieve over the bottle mouth with a rubber band or string, and then invert it and slowly sieve the Gastrodia seeds into the germination fungus leaves in three to four batches.

After the Gastrodia seeds and germination fungus leaves are fully and evenly mixed, they can be sown in holes or boxes together with the previously prepared Armillaria-infected wood or fungal branches.