How long after opening the bag does enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) produce mushrooms, and management points on whether enoki roots can regrow mushrooms
Enoki mushroom is a fairly common type of fungus at present, and it depends heavily on water during its fruiting period. If water control is done well, it will grow very rapidly. So how should water control be carried out during this period? Let's take a look below.
1. Maintain moisture to promote mycelial growth
At the beginning, enoki mushroom mycelium grows relatively quickly, and aged mycelium sheds slowly, which will affect the growth of new mycelium. So when the mycelium gets relatively close to the bottom, the cultivation site should be opened up, and the old mycelial skin should be removed manually. At this time the mushroom bud area is extremely vigorous and has an extremely high demand for water, so the bud area needs to be replenished with water. The main tasks during this time are removing the old mycelial skin and then watering, to ensure that water is not blocked off by the old mycelial skin. Keep the humidity above 90% for a long period.
2. Lower temperature and reduce humidity
About one week after the above process, the enoki mushroom bud area will develop rapidly, but to make enoki mushroom grow well, it cannot be allowed to grow too fast at this time. At this point its fruiting body growth should be inhibited. The humidity of the cultivation site should be reduced, and the temperature also needs to be lowered, so that its nutrients go to strengthening the base. Once the mushroom column becomes thick and sturdy, it can absorb more nutrients, laying a solid foundation for multiple harvests of enoki mushroom later on. At this time the humidity should not exceed 70%, and the temperature should be around 4-6°C; this is a relatively ideal range for cultivating the mushroom column.
3. Replenish water to promote development
Once the foundation is laid, the growth of the fruiting body should be promoted again to let enoki mushroom take shape quickly. At this time the humidity needs to return to the level at the beginning, that is, above 90%. At this stage, the number of daily waterings should be controlled at around 3 times, but standing water must not be allowed to form; if it is found, it should be removed at once. If standing water forms frequently, then appropriate ventilation is needed. Diseases and pests will be relatively frequent at this time, so farmers need to pay more attention to when diseases and pests appear. If any discolored spots are found, the cause should be checked promptly.
4. Replenish water after harvest
After the first harvest, the water contained in the mushroom column will decrease by a considerable portion along with the harvested product. Whether to replenish water after harvest depends on the situation. Some need water replenishment after the first harvest, while others only need it after the second. If the mushroom column looks dry after harvest, then water replenishment is needed, and this is to ensure subsequent harvests. When the mushroom column becomes moist and tender again, farmers can carry out a second round of cultivation.
Enoki mushroom has a relatively high dependence on water, and combined with the relatively enclosed environment, diseases and pests tend to appear relatively easily. Farmers should pay attention to this aspect. In daily work, they need to pay more attention to the cultivation site, and promptly deal with any diseases or pests found, so as to avoid them becoming harmful.
Can enoki mushroom roots grow mushrooms again? Yes, they can. First cut off the roots of the enoki mushroom, then prepare a wide-mouthed container, pour in a little water and baking soda, and stir evenly; place a paper towel or cotton pad on it, either is fine, and let it absorb water fully, then put the enoki mushroom roots in; wrap the opening with plastic wrap, keeping the temperature for the enoki mushroom at around 4-8°C; enoki mushroom likes a moist and alkaline environment, and after about a week the roots will grow new enoki mushrooms. When the enoki mushrooms grow to 10 cm tall, they can be eaten without worry.