How to artificially create and rationally utilize the cultivation conditions for flower shiitake
Flower shiitake
The flower shiitake is not an inherent characteristic of any particular shiitake strain; it is a high-quality malformed mushroom produced when the fruiting body is subjected to adverse environmental conditions during growth. Any shiitake strain can form flower shiitake. The conditions for forming flower shiitake are dryness, strong light, ventilation, and a large temperature difference. As long as we artificially create the conditions for producing flower shiitake, or rationally utilize natural conditions, we can produce high-quality flower shiitake.
1. Humidity
Humidity is the main factor affecting the formation of flower shiitake. The highest air relative humidity for flower shiitake formation in the mushroom yard is below 75%, and the optimal relative humidity is 55%-65%. If the humidity is too high, flower shiitake will not form or will be difficult to form. If the humidity is too low, the mushrooms are prone to drying out and dying. When the cap diameter is below 1.5 cm, the suitable humidity is 70%-75%. As the cap grows, the relative humidity should gradually decrease. The cap begins to crack at around 2 cm. Under normal growth conditions, such as when the air relative humidity is around 55%-65%, the increase in cracks is proportional to the increase in the cap, that is, the faster the cap grows, the faster the cracks thicken. At this time, if the temperature is around 8-15°C, the best flower shiitake can be obtained. The dryness or moisture of the ground at the fruiting site will directly affect the appearance of the cap texture and the depth of cracking. Therefore, the fruiting site should be kept dry and ventilated, and the ground must absolutely not be moist. If the ground is moist, flower shiitake will not form. In addition, in substitute substrate cultivation, when the water content of the culture medium is 60%-65%, flower shiitake is easy to form. In log cultivation, only when the mushroom log itself is already in a water-deficient state but can still maintain the minimum moisture for fruiting can it grow into flower shiitake.
2. Temperature
Temperature and temperature difference play an important role in the formation of flower shiitake and the quality of the product. Generally, low temperature (8-15°C) easily forms high-quality flower shiitake. Low temperature can make the mushroom body grow slowly, with dense tissue and thick mushroom flesh. A relatively large temperature difference (8-10°C) is beneficial to the formation of shiitake primordia, and is also beneficial, under certain low-temperature and low-humidity conditions, to accelerating cap cracking and deepening the cracks, and accelerating the formation of high-quality flower shiitake.
Flower shiitake
3. Light
To cultivate flower shiitake, sufficient direct light should be provided. If the shade is too dark, flower shiitake is not easy to form. If light is insufficient, the color of the flower shiitake is poor and the whiteness is not enough. At different stages of flower shiitake growth, the requirements for light intensity also differ. When the young buds first appear (cap below 2 cm), they cannot withstand strong light, otherwise they will be sunburnt and crack and die. During the growth period of flower shiitake, there must be relatively strong direct light (light intensity should reach 1500-2000 lux). In winter and early spring, when the intensity of solar radiation is weak, the mushroom yard can allow sunlight to shine directly, which can effectively improve the quality of flower shiitake.
4. Ventilation
During the formation of flower shiitake, slight air movement has a promoting effect on the formation of flower shiitake. A gentle breeze can reduce the humidity in the mushroom yard. A wind force of 1-3 levels is suitable. If the wind speed is too high, the water on the surface of the mushroom body evaporates too quickly, and immature young mushrooms are prone to drying out and shrinking. Therefore, the mushroom yard should be both ventilated and protected from wind. The mushroom yard should be chosen in a well-ventilated place, and there should be a certain distance between mushroom sheds so that they do not affect each other's ventilation.
In cultivation management, corresponding measures should be taken according to local conditions, and scientific management should be carried out according to the cultivation conditions of flower shiitake. In this way, high-quality flower shiitake can be cultivated, thereby improving the economic benefits of shiitake production.