Detailed Explanation of Autumn Edible Mushroom Cultivation Management Measures

1. Fruiting Management

Early-autumn oyster mushrooms: At this stage, management should emphasize the word "water." In conventional cultivation, the mushroom bags lose water severely after fruiting, so methods such as soaking or injection should be used to replenish water in order to achieve higher yields. For oyster mushrooms sown in September, the water balance should be controlled as much as possible to allow further mycelial maturation and maximize nutrient accumulation, laying the foundation for fruiting in October.

Enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes): Most enoki mushrooms have entered the final stage of fruiting, with about one-third still fruiting. The greatest difficulty in off-season cultivation of enoki mushrooms in cold storage is water management. The humidity in some enoki mushroom fruiting sites is on the low side, resulting in unsatisfactory yields. There are two main problems: first, humidity measurements are mostly taken at a height of 1.5 m, while the temperature inside cold storage is higher at the top and lower at the bottom; water is mostly applied by sprinkling the floor, which makes the temperature in the upper layers too high and the humidity too low. Second, the current substrate is mostly cottonseed hulls, which are large-hulled with short fibers, have a low water absorption rate (about 30%) and poor water-holding capacity, resulting in an "innate deficiency" of water in the mushroom bags.

Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus): Button mushrooms sown in early September produce their first flush in mid-to-late October. After fruiting, pay attention to effectively replenishing water to the beds to promote the second flush.

Wood ear mushrooms: Due to the large temperature difference, both black wood ear and hairy wood ear grow more slowly. At this time, do not spray too much water, so as to prolong the growth period and maximize the yield.

Shiitake mushrooms: High-temperature-type shiitake mushrooms have entered their final stage of management. As temperatures drop and the temperature difference increases, the quality of shiitake mushrooms will improve accordingly. However, note that after the last bag soaking in early October, strengthening low-temperature management can produce a batch of high-quality fresh mushrooms, after which the shed should be cleared and disinfected. By the end of October, preparations can be made to move the bags of low-temperature-type shiitake strains into the shed.

2. Spawn Running Management

For both secondary and tertiary spawn, note that high humidity is unfavorable to the spawn. Ventilation management should be strengthened, and dehumidification should be carried out where conditions permit. Contaminants must be strictly removed, especially preventing the occurrence of devastating contaminants such as Neurospora. Once discovered, immediately and slowly cover the contaminated bags with plastic bags and move them outside the shed for destruction.

Shiitake mushrooms: Low-temperature-type shiitake mushrooms have mostly completed spawn running. At this time, close attention should be paid to temperature changes. Following the principle of "aim low rather than high," adjust the spawn-running temperature; it is better to prolong the spawn-running time than to damage the bags due to high temperatures. In some areas, shiitake mushrooms have entered the post-maturation or color-turning stage. Measures should be taken to lower the temperature, and holes should be punched timely and appropriately according to the mycelial growth condition, and the temperature difference and humidity difference should be widened to facilitate the physiological transformation of the mycelium.

Medium- and low-temperature-type oyster mushrooms can be managed conventionally. Cover the spawn-running shed with insect-proof netting and spray beta-cypermethrin once every 3 days to prevent infestation by pests such as mushroom flies.

Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus): Some delayed-cultivation button mushrooms can be sown around mid-October. The key management focus is preventing pest and disease infestation. Spray a 300-fold dilution of Baibingsha once every 5 days to prevent the growth of contaminant microorganisms.