A Complete Guide to Autumn Mushroom Sowing Techniques
Autumn is the season for sowing mushrooms. Doing a good job with the spawn and substrate bag production for each mushroom variety, along with the management work before spawn running and fruiting, can lay a solid foundation for a bountiful harvest. In the mushroom production process, the principle of "prevention first, integrated management" should be followed. Physical control, biological control and agricultural control should be adopted in production, and the use of any chemical pesticides is prohibited. The use of prohibited pesticides in soil and greenhouse disinfection is strictly forbidden.
Shiitake Mushroom
(1) Cultivation Management
For autumn planting, choose medium-to-low temperature varieties. Generally, color change of the substrate bags begins in September (substrate bag production is completed in August), and they are gradually moved into the fruiting greenhouse, where humidity is controlled for fruiting management. In low-altitude areas, this can be postponed to mid-October. For autumn mushrooms, the first flush ends in mid-to-late October, and the second flush ends around the end of November. After each flush ends, ventilate and air the greenhouse for 1 week, then replenish water.
(2) Pest and Disease Control
In autumn cultivation, due to the lower temperatures, pests and diseases occur less frequently. Prevention should be the main approach. During the fruiting period, pay attention to controlling mushroom mosquitoes, mushroom flies, dry rot and other pests and diseases.
Wood Ear Mushroom
(1) Spawn Running Management
Autumn management of wood ear mushroom includes: spawn running, field arrangement, fruiting, harvesting and other stages. Attention should be paid to keeping the incubation room clean and hygienic, dry, well-ventilated and protected from light. The room temperature should be maintained at around 24°C, with ventilation about 2 times per day.
(2) Bag Slitting and Ear Induction
Use a punch machine to make "-"-shaped or "^"-shaped slits in the substrate bags, generally about 180 holes per bag. Depending on weather conditions, if 5-7 days without rain can be guaranteed, the bags can be placed directly in the field for ear induction; in rainy weather, ear induction must be done indoors.
(3) Bag Placement and Field Arrangement
For harvested rice fields or other plots, spread lime for disinfection, and if conditions permit, lay down rice straw. Place bags in a crisscross pattern with a spacing of about 125px, generally 8000 bags per mu.
(4) Fruiting Management
After ear buds form and cover the surface, spray water in a mist for 30 minutes per session to keep the ear buds moist. Adjust the number of sprayings appropriately according to temperature and air humidity, generally twice a day, maintaining this for about 7-15 days, until the wood ear mushroom gradually matures.
(5) Timely Harvesting
Harvest when the ear pieces are about to flatten, the edges become thin, and the base shrinks, at about 80% maturity, as the quality of the ear pieces is best at this time. Dry and store the harvested wood ear mushrooms promptly.
Note: Stop watering 1-2 days before harvesting. Depending on weather conditions, seize the opportunity to harvest quickly during consecutive sunny days with ample sunlight. Harvest the large ones and leave the small ones, without leaving any roots.
(6) Post-Harvest Management
After harvesting, allow about 10 days for the mycelium recovery period (during which rain shelter facilities are best, avoiding water contact), letting the mycelium re-accumulate nutrients and restore growth vitality. Start watering again after new ear buds grow, and continue harvesting.
(7) Pest and Disease Control
Strengthen spawn production, spawn running and fruiting management, and control temperature, humidity and ventilation well. Remove contaminants at any time, clean the site, and prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases.