What environment is suitable for growing shiitake mushrooms? A detailed guide to practical cultivation and management techniques
Shiitake mushrooms are a very popular edible fungus, and the market demand for them in China is very large. As a result, the area now devoted to shiitake cultivation is also very extensive. Moreover, the cultivation area for shiitake mushrooms is still expanding, and many novice growers want to try their hand at growing them. But they are troubled by not knowing how to grow them. So how should shiitake mushrooms be grown? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for shiitake mushrooms. Let's take a look!
1. Mushroom yard setup
The shiitake mushroom yard should be established in a place that is sheltered from the wind, has ample light, is rich in natural resources and has an adequate water source. Then, carry out the clearing work of the mushroom yard according to a 70% shade level, to facilitate later management and improve the air permeability of the site. Before inoculation, clear away fallen leaves, dead branches and rotting material in and around the site, to avoid excessive contaminating bacteria and pests affecting the growth of shiitake mushrooms. Then do the land preparation well, control the density properly, and set up management pathways. If there are not enough surrounding trees and the shade level is low, then a shade shed must be built. Finally, sprinkle a layer of lime on the ground to prevent the invasion of pests and contaminating bacteria.
2. Preparation of mushroom trees
There are many tree species that can be used for growing shiitake mushrooms, generally mainly trees of the Fagaceae family. The mushroom trees must not contain aromatic oil substances, to prevent them from affecting the growth of shiitake mushrooms. The bark must not be too thin or too thick, and must stay tightly attached to the trunk, which facilitates temperature and humidity regulation during cultivation and reduces the chance of contaminating bacteria invasion. It is necessary to ensure there is little heartwood, to promote the decomposition of shiitake mycelium. The diameter of the mushroom trees should be kept at about 15 cm, and the tree age should also be over 10 years. If the tree age is young, the fruiting time of shiitake mushrooms will be earlier, and the shiitake mushrooms will have thin flesh, while the mushroom trees will easily rot and deteriorate, causing a great impact on yield.
3. Timely inoculation
When inoculating shiitake mushrooms, the temperature should be controlled at around 10-15°C, and it is usually best carried out around March in southern regions. First, we should control the row spacing on the mushroom trees and punch the inoculation holes. Adjacent inoculation holes should be kept at a distance of about 6 cm from the cut surface, to improve resistance to contaminating bacteria. The diameter and depth of the inoculation holes should be controlled at about 15 mm. After punching the inoculation holes, inoculation should be carried out promptly to prevent water loss from the inoculation holes and the invasion of contaminating bacteria. Generally, the principle is to inoculate as soon as you punch. After inoculation, promptly seal the openings of the inoculation holes with wax, or cover them with wooden blocks the same size as the inoculation holes, and tap them tight and flat. This improves sealing, reduces water evaporation, and promotes the growth of shiitake mushrooms.
4. Cultivation management
The mycelium after inoculation has been broken up, so the growth capacity of the spawn is also somewhat reduced, and its adaptability will also be somewhat insufficient. Therefore, in order to ensure the growth of shiitake mushrooms and restore the vigor of the mycelium, we must do a good job of heat preservation and moisture retention. If the bark of the mushroom trees is found to be lifting, then shading work should be strengthened, watering should be done appropriately to improve moisture retention, and the air humidity should be controlled at around 65%, with the temperature at around 20°C. Also, due to the number of layers, the temperature and humidity of the mushroom trees in each layer are different, so we should turn the pile about once every half a month, and reasonably change the arrangement according to the surrounding environment and weather, to promote the growth of the mycelium.
The above is a brief introduction to shiitake mushroom cultivation techniques. Growing shiitake mushrooms is relatively troublesome. During the cultivation process, it is also necessary to do good shading work, check the survival rate, prevent the invasion of pests and diseases, and also do a good job in managing the fruiting bodies, and so on. Therefore, before growing them, everyone must do a good job of learning and preparing the cultivation techniques. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!