Bag Cultivation Process for Edible Mushrooms

1.Raw Material Preparation

Mix raw materials according to the nutritional needs of the mushroom species (e.g., 78% sawdust, 20% bran, 1% gypsum, 1% lime). Use sawdust from broad-leaved trees (e.g., poplar, birch) and screen out large impurities. Bran must be fresh and free of mold, while corn cobs should be crushed into particles 1/4 to 1/3 the size of a corn kernel for uniform mixing. Use a spiral mixer to blend the materials for 15-20 minutes, ensuring even distribution and consistent nutrition to support mycelium growth.、

2.Bag Formation

Use a bagging machine to evenly fill polypropylene bags with the prepared mixture, adjusting weight and compactness as required (e.g., shiitake mushroom bags typically weigh 1.2-3 kg with moderate compactness). After filling, seal the bags with a binding machine to ensure a firm closure, preventing contamination. Machine binding is more efficient and reliable, making it a critical step in the production process.

3.Sterilization

Sterilization is crucial and requires strict control of temperature, pressure, and time:

Atmospheric Sterilization: Place the mushroom bags in a sterilization chamber, maintaining a temperature of 100°C for 10-12 hours using steam.

High-Pressure Sterilization: Sterilize under high temperature and pressure (121°C, 0.1-0.15 MPa) for 2-3 hours. This method is more effective but involves higher equipment costs. After sterilization, allow the bags to cool to a safe temperature before moving to the inoculation stage.

4.Inoculation

Inoculation must be performed in a sterile environment. Operators wear sterile clothing and use disinfected tools (e.g., inoculation needles, scoops) to evenly introduce the spawn into holes or onto the surface of the mushroom bags. The inoculation amount depends on the species and bag size (e.g., 10-15 g per bag for enoki mushrooms). The inoculation room is equipped with air filtration systems, UV lamps, and ozone generators to maintain sterility. Pass-through windows facilitate the transfer of materials while minimizing external contamination.

5.Cultivation

Place mushroom bags on multi-layer cultivation racks with adequate spacing for ventilation and observation. Adjust the environment based on the mushroom species:

Temperature: 22-26°C for shiitake, 20-25°C for king oyster mushrooms.

Humidity: Maintain at 60-70% using humidifiers or dehumidifiers.

Light: Oyster mushrooms thrive in diffused light, while enoki mushrooms grow better in darkness.

Ventilation: Ensure 1-2 air exchanges per hour to meet the oxygen needs of the mycelium.

Regularly inspect the growth conditions, and adjust ventilation or environmental parameters if excessive growth or abnormalities are detected, ensuring smooth cultivation progress.