Detailed Explanation of Edible Mushroom Cultivation Methods and Water Supplementation Precautions

In edible mushroom cultivation, water plays the role of providing nutrients to the mycelium and fruiting bodies, and is an important factor determining yield levels and rapid flushing. The suitable water content in the substrate for most varieties is 60%-65%. During the fruiting process, the water in both the substrate and the space gradually decreases, requiring timely water supplementation. When supplementing water to the substrate in mushroom bags, the following key points should be noted:

Amount of water supplementation. After the first flush of mushrooms is harvested, when the substrate is rich in nutrients and the water content in the substrate is still relatively high, the amount of water supplemented should be smaller; after the second flush has grown, the substrate nutrients are reduced, and the water in the substrate has also decreased, so more water can be supplemented, and the mushroom bags can be soaked in water for a longer time.

Clean river water or groundwater should be used when supplementing water. Surface pond water and ditch water should not be used, to prevent contaminating bacteria and pests from being carried into the substrate, causing disease and pest damage.

The water temperature should be as consistent as possible with the mushroom shed temperature; do not use ice-cold water. Do not spray water on primordia or mushroom buds. It is best to use a sprayer to supplement water, with the nozzle pointing upward to spray into the space to increase humidity.

After supplementing water, if there are water droplets on the fruiting bodies, they should be removed by ventilation. Otherwise, it will create opportunities for pathogen reproduction, forming disease spots on the fruiting bodies.

Supplementing water to mushroom bags is an important measure for increasing yield, mainly used for edible mushrooms with longer cultivation cycles. Note the following: 1. For shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) and others, water should be supplemented after color conversion is complete and before fruiting, until the substrate water content reaches about 65%. 2. Most edible mushrooms should be given water supplementation during the flushing period after one or two flushes are finished; the mycelium should be cultivated first, then water supplemented, with the amount controlled at 80%-90% of the original mushroom bag weight. 3. Water supplementation is not suitable when the mycelium is sparse, growth is weak, the temperature is below 5°C, or pests and diseases have occurred in the substrate. 4. When supplementing water after the third flush, nutrients can also be supplemented at the same time, commonly using urea, sugar, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc.