Detailed Explanation of Practical Measures for Cold and Frost Protection of Edible Fungi in Winter

1. First, harvest the mushrooms that are ready for harvest as soon as possible, to avoid the direct impact of the cold wave on yield.

2. Strengthen the insulation measures of the mushroom shed

You can set up a small shed inside the main shed, and cover the outside of the shed with films, straw curtains and other coverings to keep warm and remove moisture. Use plastic film as a skirt around the bottom inside the shed to reduce the invasion of cold air from the bottom, block up gaps, and minimize heat loss through gaps. On the north side of the shed, pile crop straw to form a windbreak to block wind and protect against cold; reduce the number of times you enter and leave the mushroom house; in this way, the temperature inside the mushroom shed (house) can be 3-5°C higher than the outside, which can basically ensure the activity of the mycelium is maintained. Those without a mushroom shed should take measures as soon as possible, and promptly build a shed and cover it with film for insulation.

3. Immediately stop spraying and injecting water.

Try to keep the surface of the substrate and the mushroom logs dry. Because under low temperature and dry conditions, the mycelium of edible fungi all enter a dormant state, and spraying water at low temperatures can easily cause a decline in mycelial activity.

4. Remove ice and snow, and dig ditches for drainage.

Promptly remove accumulated ice and snow on the top of and around the mushroom shed (house) to prevent the mushroom house from collapsing. Dig drainage ditches around the mushroom shed (house) to keep drainage smooth and avoid rain and snowmelt from invading the mushroom substrate.

5. After the temperature steadily rises again, strengthen management.

(1) For casing-cultivated types such as Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom), the following management measures should be taken:

1. Loosen the substrate and add casing soil, and clean out dead mushrooms. When the temperature steadily rises to 10°C, promptly loosen the substrate and add casing soil. This not only helps remove waste gases from the compost, but also helps break old mycelium, promote the growth of new mycelium, and form strong mycelium, laying the foundation for increasing spring mushroom yield.

2. Apply additional fertilizer and replenish water. After continuous fruiting since last autumn, the compost has suffered serious nutrient loss, and the pH value has also decreased considerably. After the beginning of spring, additional fertilizer and water must be applied promptly so that spring mushrooms can achieve high yields.

(2) For bag-cultivated types such as black fungus (wood ear) and shiitake, the following management measures should be taken:

After the temperature rises, ventilate promptly, and promptly spray and inject water onto the substrate surface. For water management, adopt a dry-wet alternating management method to promote the mycelium to shift to the next flush and produce mushrooms.