Shiitake mushrooms, a popular edible mushroom, are cultivated with a combination of science and art. From the selection of cultures and media, to the making of the sticks, inoculation, culturing the mycelium, stimulating the buds, to managing and harvesting, each step requires delicate operation and management.
First of all, the selection of strains and culture medium is the basis of shiitake mushroom cultivation. Different shiitake mushroom varieties have different requirements for environment and climate, so when selecting strains, it is necessary to take into account the local climate and environmental conditions, and choose strains with strong adaptability, high yield and excellent quality. The medium is the nutrient for the growth of shiitake mushrooms**, usually using a mixture of sawdust, wheat bran, corn flour and so on. These materials are rich in carbon, nitrogen and trace elements needed for the growth of shiitake mushrooms.
Next is to make the fungus sticks. Stir the evenly mixed medium with water until it is held in a lump and loosened to ensure that the air permeability and moisture content of the stick are moderate. The mixture is then filled into a plastic bag or bamboo tube to make a stick. The shape and size of the sticks will affect the growth and yield of shiitake mushrooms, so they need to be strictly controlled during the production process.
Inoculation is a key part of shiitake mushroom cultivation. Under sterile conditions, the inoculation of shiitake mushrooms onto the sticks is a highly technical process that needs to prevent contamination by miscellaneous bacteria. After inoculation, the inoculated bacteria should be placed in a suitable temperature and humidity environment, generally 22-25 and 70%-80% relative humidity, so that the bacteria can grow and reproduce smoothly.
Culturing mycelium is an important stage in the growth of shiitake mushrooms. At this stage, the sticks need to be cultured in a dark, ventilated, and humid environment, generally about 60-90 days, until the mycelium is full of sticks. The mycelium is the vegetative organ of shiitake mushrooms, and they provide energy for the growth of shiitake mushrooms by absorbing nutrients from the culture medium.
When the mycelium is overgrown with the mushroom sticks, it is time to activate the mushroom buds. At this stage, the stick needs to be moved to an environment with low light and high humidity to stimulate the formation of mushroom buds. In general, it is necessary to keep the humidity between 85%-95% and the temperature between 18-22. At this stage, it is also necessary to spray water regularly to maintain a suitable growth environment.
Finally, there is the management and harvesting phase. After mushroom buds form, they need to be observed and managed regularly, including adjusting factors such as temperature, humidity and light, as well as preventing the occurrence of pests and diseases. When the buds have grown to a certain extent, they can be harvested. When harvesting, it should be gently twisted or cut to avoid damaging the mushroom body to ensure the quality and taste of the mushrooms.
Overall, the process of growing shiitake mushrooms is a complex and delicate process that requires scientific knowledge and technology, as well as patience and care. Only in this way can high-quality shiitake mushrooms be cultivated to meet people's needs for food and health. At the same time, different varieties of shiitake mushrooms may have different planting requirements and management methods, so in actual operation, they also need to be flexibly adjusted and optimized according to the actual situation.