How to cultivate lingzhi bonsai? Key points of greenhouse planting techniques

Lingzhi bonsai is a shaped craftwork that has emerged in recent years, made by processing dried mature lingzhi. By using foam plastic greenhouse technology to pot living lingzhi at the growth stage, live lingzhi bonsai are made; just like potted flowers, one can observe a series of growth and development processes such as the elongation of the lingzhi stalk, the unfolding and growing of the cap, the release of spore powder, and finally growing into lingzhi fruiting bodies of various shapes. The key points of its cultivation techniques are as follows:

1. Cultivation substrate

Lingzhi is a wood-rotting fungus and is suitable for growing on substrates such as mixed wood sawdust and cottonseed hulls. Its culture medium formula is: mixed wood sawdust or cottonseed hulls 78%, wheat bran 20%, gypsum powder 1%, white sugar 1%, water content 60-62%, pH natural.

2. Cultivation season

Lingzhi is a constant-temperature, medium-to-high-temperature type fungus. Both the spawn-running temperature and the fruiting temperature are 22-28°C, and higher air humidity is needed during fruiting; therefore, in southern regions, fruiting should preferably be arranged in late spring and early summer. Inoculation can begin after mid-January, fruiting begins after mid-March, and potting for sale takes place in mid-April. For autumn fruiting, inoculation can be done in early August, fruiting in mid-September, and potting for sale in late September. This helps it hit the market during the two golden cycles.

3. Greenhouse construction

The greenhouse is rebuilt from an ordinary plastic greenhouse. The outer layer is covered with a shade net to achieve a light intensity of 70% shade and 30% sun; the middle layer is 0.5 cm thick foam plastic board, which provides insulation; the inner layer is non-toxic plastic film, which enhances moisture retention. The wooden bar frame doors at both ends are sealed with plastic film so as to regulate ventilation and light transmission.

4. Selecting varieties

According to the different characteristics of various lingzhi varieties, different types and colors of varieties can be selected for potted live lingzhi. Generally, varieties with many branches, relatively long stalks, small caps, slow growth, and little spore powder are preferred. For example, Yuanzhi No. 6, Yuanzhi No. 9, Jingda, Shinshu, Zizhi, etc.

5. Bagging and inoculation

Prepare the culture material according to the above formula, then use 17 x 33 x 0.04 cm polypropylene or polyethylene plastic gusseted bags for filling, with 400 grams of dry material per bag, seal with sponge double rings, sterilize under high pressure for 2 hours, or sterilize under normal pressure for 10 hours. After cooling, move into the inoculation room, disinfect separately with ultraviolet light and aerosol disinfectant, and inoculate inside the inoculation box.

6. Spawn-running culture

After inoculation is completed, move into the culture room, arrange on culture shelves, and keep dark, warm, and run the spawn. Maintain the indoor temperature at 20-25°C. When the temperature is low, use an electric stove to heat appropriately, and maintain ventilation and air exchange. After about 2 months, the mycelium will grow throughout the bag.

7. Fruiting management

After the mycelium has grown throughout the bag, it can be moved into the foam greenhouse for fruiting management. Remove the sponge covers, arrange upright, and cover with plastic film to promote primordia. After 3-6 days, lingzhi begins to form primordia; then uncover the covering film, spray water on the ground, and maintain the relative air humidity in the greenhouse at 85-96%, while ventilating as much as possible. When the lingzhi stalk elongates and shows phototropism, the door should be shaded while the greenhouse roof remains light-transmitting, so that lingzhi elongates upward. When the stalk has grown to a certain extent, ventilate for half an hour each morning and evening, and remove the shading material on the door to promote the growth of the cap. By using the variable temperature conditions of large day-night temperature differences, lingzhi bodies of various shapes can be produced.

8. Transplanting and potting

About 20 days after primordia appear, when the cap has grown to the size of a bonsai prototype and the cap edge is still yellowish-white, it can be transplanted into pots. Use a knife to cut around and remove the lower half of the lingzhi bag, then place it into a flower pot, add disinfected fine river sand, and it becomes potted live lingzhi.

9. Potted management

During the continued growth period of potted live lingzhi, spray 2-3 times a day to retain moisture, keeping the cap moist so as to prevent it from maturing too early.