Cultivation Techniques and Disease Control Methods for Edible Mushrooms in Raised Beds

Raised-bed cultivation requires no mushroom houses or bed frames, making it a cultivation method with low investment, low cost, a short cycle and quick results. Choose an idle plot of land with high, well-drained terrain, shelter from the wind and unobstructed drainage. Prepare long raised beds running north to south, 0.8—0.9 m wide and 10—15 m long; dig a soil ridge 17 cm wide and 23 cm [high] in the middle of the bed, with a 13 cm wide ridge, and leave a ditch 33 cm deep and 40 cm wide between two beds for walking and management operations. Spray the bed surface with 20% ammonia water or scatter rapeseed cake powder to kill pests.

At cultivation time, first soak the growing substrate in 1% lime water for 24 hours, then take it out and rinse it with clean water until the pH value is 7.5—8, drain off the excess water, and then it can be spread and sown. Spread one layer of substrate and scatter one layer of spawn, for a total of 3 layers, with a substrate thickness of about 15 cm. After sowing, gently pat and press the substrate layer flat and firm with a wooden board so that the spawn and growing substrate are closely combined, which helps the mycelium recover and grow, prevents drying and suppresses contamination by weed molds. After sowing, set up ring-shaped frames over the bed and cover them with plastic film and straw curtains. For the first 3—4 days, which is the period of mycelial recovery and establishment, focus on heat retention and moisture retention and keep the plastic film tightly closed; if the temperature inside the bed exceeds 25°C, the film at both ends of the bed can be opened in the morning and evening for ventilation and cooling. After 5—7 days, when the mycelium has grown into the growing substrate, ventilate appropriately to reduce moisture on the substrate surface and encourage the mycelium to grow into the substrate layer. When the mycelium has grown to half the substrate thickness, increase ventilation so the mycelium grows into the deeper substrate as quickly as possible; when the substrate surface is dry, the mycelium that grows out is vigorous and sturdy. After about 20 days, when the mycelium has grown through the growing substrate, strengthen ventilation and increase light, and spray water appropriately to promote the rapid formation of fruiting bodies. In management, mainly by uncovering and closing the plastic film and straw curtains and by spraying water appropriately, regulate conditions such as water, heat, air and light to satisfy the good growth of the mushroom bodies; when the mushroom bodies have fully grown and matured, they can be harvested.