Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation Season and Process

Choosing the cultivation season is a crucial technical aspect of shiitake mushroom cultivation, directly impacting yield, quality, and economic benefits. The inoculation time is determined based on the characteristics of shiitake mushrooms: mycelial growth is intolerant of high temperatures, while fruiting body differentiation requires significant temperature differences. In China's substrate-growing areas, shiitake mushroom cultivation is mainly divided into in-season and off-season cultivation, with specific times as follows:

In-season cultivation: Generally, substrate is produced from the end of February to March, with the mushrooms completing color change before the summer heat arrives, and fruiting occurring from August to November and April to June of the following year.

Off-season cultivation: Generally, substrate is produced from mid-October to mid-November of the previous year, with fruiting occurring from May to October. Producing too early results in high temperatures and a high probability of contamination; producing too late results in insufficient accumulated temperature and delayed fruiting.

2. Process Flow

Preparation of substrate and spawn, greenhouse preparation, etc. → Mixing, bagging, sterilization → Cooling, inoculation → Mycelial growth management → Fruiting management.