Shiitake mushroom, also known as Japanese forest mushroom or edible lentinula, can be grown at home by choosing one of two simple methods. It has a hat from 5 to 20 cm in diameter, convex shape and brown or coffee color. How to properly grow shiitake, we will understand further.
Cultivation methods
There are only two of them:
- Intensive. Mycelium is introduced into a pre-prepared substrate. It should include sawdust, shavings of deciduous trees with chips, straw, hay and grain. The resulting mixture must be sterilized, since the spores of the fungus are weaker than the mold spores. So, if sterility is not maintained, the mold will not allow the fungi to multiply, so it will not be possible to collect the desired crop.
- Extensive. In the natural environment, mushrooms grow on freshly cut tree trunks. On your own, you can also recreate environmental conditions as close as possible to natural ones. So, sowing spores occurs in holes that are drilled in logs. However, they must first be kept for a long time in conditions of low temperature and humidity so that the mushrooms can germinate. In general, the whole process - from infection of the trunk with spores to 100% ripeness of the fungus - will require 1.5-2 years.
To quickly pick mushrooms, many prefer to resort to the intensive method, which gives a crop in a few months.
Intensive method - growing mushrooms in blocks
To get the crop, it is important to follow the correct instructions - from the beginning of preparation of the substrate to the collection of mushrooms. We will consider each step separately.
Mycelium selection
Mycelium for cultivating shiitake is purchased in a specialized market. It can be presented in three forms:
- Grain. This is a placer of grains where fungal spores developed. The fact is that grains are an excellent nutrient medium where high-quality mycelium is formed at an accelerated pace. To effectively breed shiitake, you will need to add about 2% of the infected grain of the total substrate mass.
- Sawdust. Mycelium is bred on a sawdust-branched mixture and is used to grow mushrooms in a homogeneous substrate. The optimal concentration of such mycelium is 5-7% of the total mass of the substrate.
- Liquid. Such a mycelium develops in a liquid medium, for example, in beer wort. It is used quite rarely and only with complete sterility of the substrate. To carry out liquid inoculation, you need to use a special dispenser. The norm of such a mycelium is 20-45 ml per 2-4 kg of substrate.
Mushroom growing experts recommend choosing cereal mycelium because it allows you to preserve many of the body’s genetic characteristics. So, it is worth buying a grain-type mycelium weighing 18 kg, which is required to be packaged in 200 g plastic bags with a special latch.
Packing is carried out in a clean room without ventilation in the following order:
- Clean the table on which all work will be performed, and wipe with a cloth, which previously moisten in a solution of whiteness. Wear sterile gloves.
- Prepare packages - disinfect with 70% alcohol solution or 10% sodium hypochlorite solution.
- Remove parts of the substrate and put in a basin, dividing your hands into separate grains.
- Pour the mycelium from the pelvis into latch bags. Everything needs to be done as quickly as possible.
- Prepare air filters from toilet paper - fold them into a multilayer square measuring 30x30 mm.
- Insert the filter into the bag and close it with the latch.
- Fasten all finished bags with a stapler.
The resulting workpiece can be held upright with the filter up. Storage location - domestic refrigerator. Shelf life - up to 6 months. Mycelium can be obtained immediately before infection of the substrate.
Substrate preparation
Mushrooms are grown in blocks that are prepared from the substrate. It consists of the following elements:
- Sawdust from deciduous trees. Their fraction should not be less than 3 mm. This is the basis of the mixture.
- Shavings or small slivers from deciduous trees to increase the breathability of the composition. They can be replaced with hay, finely chopped straw from oats or barley.
Coniferous trees are not suitable, because they contain resins that impede the development of mycelium.
- Grain, tea leaves, legumes. They are needed to increase the nutritional value of the substrate.
- Chalk or gypsum. Helps to improve the structure of the composition.
Experienced gardeners note that in large blocks the mycelium is difficult to spread over the entire surface, so the optimal size is 1.5 kg. With independent preparation of the substrate, the following proportion should be maintained:
- sawdust - 50%;
- straw or sliver - 25%;
- grain, bran, tea leaves, flour - 25% in any combination;
- chalk or gypsum - up to 1% of the total mass.
In a percentage ratio, the weight can be changed, but the total proportion of sawdust and straw or wood chips in the finished substrate should not be less than 70%.
The following variants of substrate mixtures are also distinguished:
- 41 kg of sawdust, 8 kg of cereal bran, 1 kg of sugar and 25 liters of water;
- bark and sawdust in a ratio of 1 to 1 or 1 to 2;
- bark, sawdust and straw in a ratio of 1: 1: 1;
- sawdust and rice residues in a ratio of 1 to 4.
Regardless of the composition of the substrate, it must be prepared for inoculation in three stages:
- Shredding. To obtain a compact mixture without large areas of voids, the most favorable for the development of mycelium, it is necessary to grind each part of the substrate. If straw is used, it must be divided into parts of 5-10 cm.
- Mixing. From the previous stage, integral components are obtained, which must be thoroughly mixed to a homogeneous consistency in one container.
- Treatment. The final stage, at which free living space is created, where the mushrooms can bear fruit. Allows you to clean the substrate from bacteria and mold by sterilization and the formation of blocks. How this is done, read in detail below.
Sterilization, inoculation and packaging of the substrate
In conditions favorable for the development of fungi, mold also actively multiplies, which can even drown out the development of fungal spores. To prevent this, sterilization is required, which will destroy all bacteria. There are two ways to complete this procedure.
Boil the substrate with boiling water, and then pack in bags
The procedure is as follows:
- Pour the entire substrate into a large clean enameled container with a lid and pour cool boiling water. Close the lid and wrap the container with a blanket. Leave on for 10 hours.
- Pour excess water and cool the mixture to room temperature with the lid closed, and then pack in clean bags. You need to work strictly with gloves. Here it is important to take into account one nuance - shiitake is grown in bags with ventilation. So, you can initially purchase special packages with the provided ventilation, but you can also use classic packages, but pierce the holes on your own side after the formation of the block.
- As soon as the bag is filled, in the center of the mixture make a small hole where the mycelium is evenly added. As a rule, its amount is not more than 3-5% of the total weight of the block. So, if it has a volume of 2.5 kg, then from 100 to 150 g of mycelium is required.
- Insert a 2 cm diameter stopper prepared from sterile cotton into the neck. This will create a special gas exchange necessary for the development of the fungus. If special packages are used, then there is no need to insert a cork, since gas exchange is carried out through filters through them.
- Tie a bag tightly.
Pack in bags and then sterilize in boiling water
This method differs from the first in several nuances and is carried out in the following order:
- Fill the package with a substrate and tie, but not tight. Put in a pan.
- Pour water to the level of the tie. Put on a small fire and boil for 2-3 hours.
- Take out the bag and cool to room temperature.
- Wear sterile gloves and fill with mycelium in the same way as in the previous method.
- Form the block in the package in the form of a bar so that the lower part is slightly smaller than the upper one, since in this case the mushrooms will develop both above and from the sides.
Incubation, germination of mycelium
This is the period during which the fungus intensively masters the plant mixture and absorbs the necessary components for its development. So that the mycelium develops at home, it is necessary to ensure the correct air temperature, while humidity indicators are not important, since the formation process takes place in containers.
Blocks need to be installed on an elevated surface - from 20 cm above the floor. There is an alternative option - to hang on a hook to also provide maximum gas outlet. In any case, the optimum temperature is + 25 ... + 27 degrees. If it exceeds 28 degrees, the probability of mycelium death will increase significantly, since the created conditions will be most favorable for the active life of harmful organisms, especially trichoderma mold or neurospore.
Depending on the volume of introduced mycelium and the composition of the substrate, the incubation period can take from 40 to 110 days. During this time, the spores of the fungus will gradually fill the tank, after which white tubercles will appear, which after a while will acquire a brown color, which is called the “brown” block phase. This color is due to the work of polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme that activates in strong light and in the presence of oxygen.
It is worth noting that a protective layer gradually forms on the surface of the substrate, preventing the ingress of harmful organisms into the mixture and preventing its drying out. To strengthen this layer, it is worth during the incubation period every day for 7-9 hours to illuminate the formation. The optimal light output is 50-120 lux. It will also accelerate the process of the appearance of primordia.
So, when the tubercles appear brown, you need to remove the bag from the block, and transfer the block to the room where further cultivation will be carried out.
To promote a more active growth of shiitake, after removing the package, it is worth shifting the block into a container and pour cold water. After 24 hours, drain excess water.
Mushroom care
To obtain a good harvest during fruit formation, it will be necessary to ensure a humid environment, low air temperature and good lighting, otherwise primordia will be exposed to negative influences during its active formation. To create such a microclimate, you need to set the following parameters:
- air temperature for heat-loving strains - +21 degrees, and for cold-loving strains - +16 degrees (the type of strains should be checked with the seller of mycelium);
- air humidity - 85%;
- Lighting - about 10 hours a day.
If there is no daylight, use lamps. The dimmer the lighting, the paler the shiitake hats will be.
Particular attention should be paid to spraying - it must be carried out every day. In addition, it is recommended to regularly ventilate the room.
Harvesting and Transition
On average, you can harvest 3 times a season, after which you need to replace the blocks. Mushrooms are ready for cutting if the edges of the cap are almost straightened and no longer bend inward. The collection itself is carried out in this way:
- 4-6 hours before cutting, lower the air humidity to 60%. This will help to add stiffness to the cuticle caps, which is necessary to increase the shelf life of mushrooms.
- Remove the mushrooms so that no legs remain in the block. They will attract pests or contribute to the appearance of dangerous mold.
After harvesting, a transitional period begins during which the mycelium must accumulate nutrients from the substrate for the next round of fruiting. To accelerate this process, the air temperature must be raised to + 20 ... + 25 degrees. In addition, it is worth maintaining a fairly low air humidity - up to 50%. It is important to completely remove the maturation residues of the previous offspring. Another secret to getting a good harvest of shiitake mushrooms is to process blocks from various pests and diseases.
As a rule, with proper care, you can provide 2-4 waves of fruit ripening from one package. The transition period between these waves is about 2-3 weeks.
Extensive method - growing mushrooms on pieces of logs
With this cultivation of mushrooms, you need to create conditions as close as possible to natural ones. So, mushrooms will grow in their natural environment, that is, not on substrate blocks, but on logs.
The steps of this method of growing shiitake can be found in the table below:
Stage | Requirements | Time and duration |
Harvesting wood | Hardwood is selected. The length of the chocks should be from 1 to 1.5 m, and the diameter from 0.1 to 1.2 m. The optimum humidity is from 35 to 70%. | After the autumn leaf fall and before the movement of juices in the wood in the spring. |
Preparing chocks | Put the chocks in a woodpile for storage until the next step. In case of excessive dryness, water 2-3 days before inoculation. Clear of lichens and moss. | 2-3 months after the first stage. |
Inoculation | Drill holes in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 10-15 cm. They need to be filled with mycelium, corked with wax or paraffin to prevent bacteria from entering and moisture loss. The rate of introduction of mycelium is from 5 to 10% by weight of the chock. | 2-3 months after harvesting. |
Incubation | Air temperature should be from 20 to 26 degrees, and humidity - from 60 to 80%. The optimal location for chocks is sheds, hangars, greenhouses, hotbeds and other places where suitable conditions can be provided. | 6-18 months after inoculation. When the mycelium comes to the surface, and the chock does not ring at impact, the incubation period will end. |
Fruit induction | Soak chocks in barrels, a river or a pond to increase wood moisture up to 75-85%. | In the summer - from 10 to 24 hours, and in the winter - from 48 to 72 hours. |
Fruit education | Acceptable air temperature - 12 ... 18 degrees, relative humidity –70-85%, and illumination - about 100 lux. Stack chocks X-shaped, cover with a white protective cover, which must allow light and air to stabilize the microclimate. | 3 to 10 days. |
Fruiting | Leave the air temperature as in the formation of fruits, but lower the humidity to 60-75%, and increase the illumination to 200 lux. Remove protective coating to improve ventilation and reduce humidity. The yield of mushrooms is from 15 to 20% by weight of the logs. | Lasts 7-14 days. A total of 3 to 6 years. After the first wave, subsequent fruiting occurs after a dormant period, when induction is carried out by soaking the logs. |
Rest period | Normal air temperature is + 20 ... + 26 degrees, and humidity is 60-80%. Wood moisture should be maintained at 30-40%. | 1-3 months after harvest. |
From each stage depends on the yield of mushrooms. What is especially worth considering in such a delicate matter, we will find out further.
Log preparation
Fragments of trunks will act as a block. Choose a log of such trees:
- oak (the best option);
- beech;
- chestnut;
- hornbeam;
- Birch trees
- and you;
- alders;
- aspens;
- poplar;
- maple tree.
The composition of shiitaka includes tannase - an enzyme that promotes the decomposition of tannins, so that the mushroom is able to master oak wood.
You need to cut down trees while keeping the maximum amount of sugar in the tree sap - in the period after dropping the leaves in the fall and before the movement of the juices in the spring. The optimum moisture content of the wood is from 40 to 50%. In this case, you need to select fragments of wood on which there are no signs of damage by pests and xylotrophs.
Trunks need to be cut into blocks of 1-1.5 m long and 10-20 cm in diameter, which need to be kept in an open area from 1 to 3 months. Only then can holes be drilled in them to sow. These works are recommended to be carried out on a clean plastic film. The holes are made in the middle of the side surface of the log in a checkerboard pattern. Their optimum diameter is 2 cm and a depth of 1.5 cm. A distance of 6 cm must be maintained between the holes around the circumference.
Strain selection
Sowing a log implies a rather high consumption of mycelium - at least 200 g for each linear meter of log. Depending on which climatic area shiitake will be grown, the following strains are chosen:
- heat-loving (summer) - excellent fruiting from May to September in a humid warm climate at a temperature of + 14 ... + 27 degrees;
- cold-loving (autumn-spring) - give a good crop at a temperature of + 7 ... + 16 degrees from March to May and from September to November, mushrooms are obtained of excellent quality, but slowly develop;
- off-season - can bear fruit in wood at a temperature of + 10 ... + 25 degrees from May to November, but if you use these strains to grow mushrooms indoors under microclimate control, you can get a crop all year round.
Inoculation
It is carried out in the following order:
- Place the grain mycelium in the holes of aged chocks and compact them so that 1 cm remains to the edges.
- Close the holes with garden varnish or construction putty to prevent mycelial eruptions.
- Sown logs to lay out in a stack at the place of future fruiting. It should be a square shaded by plants on three sides, which opens with the open side to the west or east. Best if the place is located in a lowland, where there is increased humidity of air and earth. The optimum air temperature is + 24 ... + 28 degrees, and humidity - from 70 to 90%.
In the middle lane and southern regions with the wintering of the mycelium there will be no problems. It is enough to cover the chocks with straw or transfer them to the basement.
Mycelium in wood grows for a short time - from 6 to 18 months. The exact duration of the incubation period depends on the quality of the mycelium, and the amount of seeded material, and air temperature, and its humidity. In general, shiitake lives on logs from 5 to 7 years.
From stimulating mushroom growth to harvesting
As soon as the mycelium grows fully, it is necessary to stimulate the formation of fruits in this way:
- Soak the logs in water for 24-72 hours.
- Place the logs vertically or at an angle in a darkened but not warm place.
After 7-10 days, the first rudiments of fruiting bodies will appear. As a rule, shiitake bear fruit twice a year. After each such period, there comes a rest time when the chocks need to be covered with breathable material in order to maintain stable environmental parameters.
Mushrooms grow from 2 to 5 years depending on the size of the logs. For all time, with an average of 1 square. m. wood can be harvested from 200 to 250 kg of crop.
Greenhouse cultivation
Shiitake is also suitable for growing in a greenhouse, but it must be taken into account that this design of covered soil after mushrooms becomes unsuitable for further cultivation of vegetables, since a large number of spores remain in the air. You can grow shiitake in the greenhouse on stumps, but the intensive method is often used. At the same time, the following tips should be taken into account:
- Before sowing the mycelium inside the greenhouse, you need to install metal racks with shelves filled with nutrient mixture. In such containers, you need to remove the substrate.
- If an intensive growing method is used, apply the same substrate that is prepared for the blocks. As a filler, you can use a mixture of straw and sawdust, and it is better to add bran or grain to it. In any case, pour the finished mixture with boiling water. This is necessary to destroy the pathological microflora and protect the crop from disease. After already sowing the mycelium.
- The beds can be covered with a film before the first fruiting bodies ripen, since after their appearance in the room the air temperature slightly decreases.
- Mushrooms will grow even without external shelters, but in this case they should be inspected regularly to identify and remove damaged fruits in time.
- After harvesting, the soil should again be poured with boiling water, but if the cultivation of mushrooms was carried out in the same place for several years in a row, the substrate must be disposed of.
Shiitake is a healing mushroom that is used both for food and for preparing tinctures with medicinal properties. It helps to reduce the growth of malignant tumors, strengthen the immune system and deal with chemical poisoning. You can grow these mushrooms in one of two ways, based on your own capabilities and needs.