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Shiitake Mushroom Color Change Management
2026-06-03
After the mycelium grows fully on shiitake mushroom substrate blocks and reaches physiological maturity, the white mycelium gradually forms a brown-black skin under proper environmental conditions, which is called mycelium color change. It is a natural physiological feature indicating mature shiitake spawn bags.
The color-changing effect directly influences budding speed, total yield, mushroom quality, anti-contamination capacity and service life of substrate bags:
- Dark brown skin: Late fruiting, sparse but large high-quality shiitake with medium yield;
- Reddish-brown skin: Regular budding, medium-sized premium mushrooms with the highest yield;
- Yellowish-brown & partial grey-white skin: Early over-dense small mushrooms of poor quality with low to medium yield.
For practical cultivation: growers in warm & humid South China mostly adopt bag-removed color change; both bag-on and bag-off methods work for cold & dry North China.
Two mainstream color-changing techniques are widely applied in shiitake farming.
1. Color Change with Plastic Bag Removed
Whole process temperature controlled at 18–23℃, maximum below 25℃ under dim light.
(1) Aerial mycelium growing stage (Day 1–5): Keep covering film intact, maintain relative humidity 85%–90% to generate fluffy white aerial mycelium on block surface. Vent briefly once temperature exceeds 25℃.
(2) Mycelium collapsing stage (Day 5–7): When 2mm thick fluffy mycelium covers blocks, lift film frequently to cut temperature & humidity and make mycelium collapse into thin compact skin.
(3) Pigment changing stage (Day 7 onwards): Ventilate three times daily for 30 mins each, stagger ventilation time for different stacks. Spray fine mist 1–2 times per ventilation, recover film after 1-hour air-drying. Normally it takes 10–12 days for mycelium to turn from white to pink then reddish-brown to finish color change.
(1) Aerial mycelium growing stage (Day 1–5): Keep covering film intact, maintain relative humidity 85%–90% to generate fluffy white aerial mycelium on block surface. Vent briefly once temperature exceeds 25℃.
(2) Mycelium collapsing stage (Day 5–7): When 2mm thick fluffy mycelium covers blocks, lift film frequently to cut temperature & humidity and make mycelium collapse into thin compact skin.
(3) Pigment changing stage (Day 7 onwards): Ventilate three times daily for 30 mins each, stagger ventilation time for different stacks. Spray fine mist 1–2 times per ventilation, recover film after 1-hour air-drying. Normally it takes 10–12 days for mycelium to turn from white to pink then reddish-brown to finish color change.
2. Color Change Without Removing Plastic Bag
Suitable for dry northern regions with similar environment management standards as bag-removed mode.
Many farmers punch tiny holes on bags for air circulation to boost color change and peel bags only after full color change. Restack and rearrange blocks once 70% surface turns color for even pigment formation. For double-layer packaged spawn bags, drain accumulated yellow liquid between layers timely to avoid green mold and rotten substrate.
Many farmers punch tiny holes on bags for air circulation to boost color change and peel bags only after full color change. Restack and rearrange blocks once 70% surface turns color for even pigment formation. For double-layer packaged spawn bags, drain accumulated yellow liquid between layers timely to avoid green mold and rotten substrate.
This method features easy operation, great moisture retention and low infection rate, especially ideal for hot-season cultivation.
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Henan Joconn Machinery Co., Ltd. is an enterprise specializing in the production of mushroom equipment. It is engaged in the development, production and application of machinery and equipment for mushroom growth production lines.