Air Purifier for Mushroom Cultivation: Things You May Want to Know

Enoki is a delicious edible mushroom and a healthy food that is rich in protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Bottle cultivation of enoki is the main method of factory-based and automated production. 

Edible Mushroom Mite Control Technology Optimization About 7 days after sowing edible mushrooms, effective mite control measures should be taken to ensure production quality. The following are detailed methods for mite control: Observation and Detection After covering the substrate with a colored film for 5-10 minutes, closely observe the culture material with a magnifying glass. Once small, flat or oval-shaped, white or yellow mites with multiple bristles are found, immediately take the following measures to eliminate them: 1. Fumigation for Mite Control Soak cotton balls in dichlorvos and place them on the substrate under the bed frame. Cover the bed surface with plastic to allow the fumes from the pesticide to kill the mites. 2. Pesticide Spraying for Mite Control Use the following pesticide solutions for spraying: 50% oxydemeton-methyl 1000 times solution Pyrethrin 1500 times solution Acaricide 500 times solution Alternatively, spraying with 400 times diluted laundry detergent solution can also effectively control mites in 2-3 applications. 3. Rapeseed Cake Attractant for Mite Control Place damp cloths on the infested substrate and scatter freshly roasted rapeseed cake powder on top. When the mites gather on the rapeseed cake powder, remove the cloth and place it in boiling water to kill the mites. 4. Vinegar-Sugar Pesticide Attractant Prepare a vinegar-sugar solution: 1 part acetic acid 1 part water 0.1 part white sugar 1-2 drops of dichlorvos Soak a piece of cloth or cotton in the solution and place it on the substrate. When the mites gather, remove and boil to kill them. Repeat the operation until all mites are eliminated. 5. Fresh Bone Attractant for Mite Control Place fresh pig bones evenly on the affected substrate. When mites gather on the bones, place the bones in boiling water to kill the mites. Repeat several times until the substrate is free of mites. Control Suggestions Prevention First: Keep the culture material and surrounding environment clean to prevent mite infestation. Prompt Action: Take immediate measures once mites are detected to prevent widespread infestation. Safe Operation: When using chemical pesticides, follow the correct dilution ratios to ensure production safety and product quality. By implementing these control measures, mites in the edible mushroom production process can be effectively managed, improving both yield and quality.

Usage and Maintenance of Edible Mushroom Production Line Equipment With the rapid development of large-scale edible mushroom cultivation, various types of machinery, such as sealing machines, bagging machines, sterilization cabinets, eco-friendly boilers, and automated production lines, have significantly enhanced production efficiency and reduced labor intensity. Edible mushroom production line equipment is particularly effective for quick mixing, feeding, and distribution of raw materials, enabling users to complete production tasks efficiently. Proper usage and regular maintenance are crucial for ensuring optimal equipment performance and prolonging its service life. The following provides detailed guidelines on operational precautions, handling abnormal shutdowns, and daily maintenance. I. Operational Precautions Pre-Startup Inspections Ensure the mixing tank is free of residue; if leftover material exists, its thickness must not exceed 0.3 meters. Do not start the machine with a full load. Confirm that the discharge outlets of the mixing tank and distributor are closed to avoid clogging the feed inlet of the elevator. Startup and Operation Steps Follow the correct startup sequence: Mixing Tank → Elevator → Distributor. After starting the machine, check its operation for abnormalities before beginning to load materials. During loading, ensure the materials in the mixing tank do not exceed 2/3 of the tank’s capacity. Open the mixing tank’s discharge outlet only after the elevator is running smoothly. The distributor’s discharge speed should be adjusted by the bagging machine operator according to its feeding rate. When shutting down, stop feeding first. Once the distributor has stopped discharging, shut down the equipment in the following sequence: Mixing Tank → Elevator → Distributor. Emergency Shutdown Procedures In case of an emergency shutdown, always turn off the equipment in the proper shutdown sequence. Follow the same order for restarting: start the machine first before adding materials. Recommended Startup and Shutdown Sequences Startup Sequence: Primary Mixing Tank → Primary Elevator → Secondary Mixing Tank → Secondary Elevator → Distributor. Shutdown Sequence: Distributor → Elevator → Mixing Tank. II. Handling Abnormal Shutdowns Mixing Tank Shutdown Stop feeding immediately. Check if the motor is overheating or if the chain has fallen off. Resume operations only after ensuring everything is in order. Ensure the tank’s contents do not exceed 1/3 of its volume. Never restart with a full load. Elevator Shutdown Stop feeding and check for damage to the motor or belts. Restart only after confirming no issues. Avoid restarting the elevator under a full load. Power Failure Shutdown for the Entire Line First, test the distributor, followed by the elevator. Remove any residual materials from the mixing tank and follow the mixing tank abnormal shutdown procedures. Resume feeding only after all equipment is operating normally. III. Maintenance and Care Guidelines Motor and Gearbox During the first connection, ensure the motor’s rotation direction matches the arrow on the outer casing. Fill the gearbox with gear oil or 46# anti-wear hydraulic oil, ensuring the oil level does not exceed 2/3 of the transparent window. Check oil levels every 20 days. Bearings and Lubrication Add grease to the bearing housing until it slightly overflows the sealing ring. Check every three days. Regularly inspect bearings, chains, motors, and gearboxes for abnormalities, listen for unusual sounds in the auger, and check for loose screws. Long-Term Downtime and Reuse Before long-term storage, clean out any residual material and ensure the equipment is free of water accumulation. When resuming use, perform an empty machine test run to confirm proper functioning. Before starting, ensure the gearbox has adequate oil and that the bearings are greased. Prohibited Practices Never start the mixing tank with a full load. Always start the equipment before adding materials. Conclusion   Proper usage and maintenance not only enhance the efficiency of edible mushroom production line equipment but also extend its service life. Adopting a well-planned maintenance schedule and promptly addressing equipment issues are key to ensuring stable and efficient operation, providing a foundation for safe and productive mushroom cultivation.

Mushroom production heavily depends on cultivation bags. As the saying goes: "Mushrooms first, bags second, management third." This highlights the importance of bag quality as the foundation of successful mushroom cultivation. However, issues like bag rupture, contamination, uneven substrate adhesion, or poor fruiting often stem from overlooked bag quality and selection, which ultimately impacts mushroom yields. Today, we will discuss how to assess the quality of cultivation bags and share some practical tips for selection.   Methods to Assess Bag Quality 1. Check the Appearance Align the bottom seal and the opening of the bag. If the edges are uneven, the bag is likely handcrafted, which makes it less airtight. On the other hand, machine-sealed bags are evenly aligned and generally offer better airtightness and sealing. 2. Inspect the Heat-Sealing Line If the sealing line is opaque, it indicates manual sealing. Such bags have poor plasticity, are prone to air leakage, and are stiffer, making them more susceptible to breakage. In contrast, machine-sealed lines are transparent, soft, and durable, ensuring over 95% airtightness and reliable sealing. 3. Examine Bag Color and Consistency High-quality bags have a clear, uniform, and smooth appearance. To check thickness, open the bag and feel it by running your hands around in a circle. If you notice uneven thickness or thin spots, the bag is likely to tear easily. 4. Puncture Test with Fingernail Inflate a bag and seal it. Try puncturing it with a fingernail. If the bag does not leak, it indicates good quality. 5. Submersion Test Seal the inflated bag and submerge it in a water basin. If no bubbles appear, the bag is airtight and meets quality standards. Bags with leaks are more prone to contamination during cultivation. 6. Feel the Surface Run your hands over the surface of the bag to check for smoothness. A smooth surface suggests that the bag contains fewer recycled materials, indicating higher quality. 7. Inspect Against Sunlight Hold the bag up to sunlight to check for small black dots. These dots are unmelted particles from recycled materials. If such particles are abundant, avoid using the bag. 8. Stretch Test Cut a strip about 1 cm wide from the bag. Hold both ends of the strip and gently pull to stretch it. The farther it stretches without breaking, the better the bag quality.     Additional Tips There are many ways to evaluate bag quality, but it’s crucial to select cultivation bags from certified manufacturers. Mushroom cultivation is challenging and requires careful attention to every detail. Choosing high-quality cultivation bags is an essential step that should never be overlooked!

Piercing for ventilation during the mycelium development phase of shiitake mushrooms helps increase oxygen levels in the substrate, expel waste gases released by the growing mycelium, and accelerate its growth. This shortens the time needed for the mycelium to reach physiological maturity. Correct and reasonable piercing is one of the important measures to ensure high-quality, high-yield shiitake production in autumn and winter bag cultivation. 1. Characteristics of Oxygen DeficiencyMycelium growth slows down. The tips of the mycelium become thinner and uneven. Lumps or nodules may form. These symptoms indicate a lack of oxygen within the substrate bags, and piercing for ventilation becomes necessary. 2. Piercing MethodsFirst Piercing: When the mycelium circle has a diameter of about 10 cm: For bagged cultivation with sleeves, remove the sleeves. For bags without sleeves, pierce 4–6 holes around 2 cm inside the edge of the mycelium circle. Second Piercing: When the bag is fully colonized by mycelium, typically 40–45 days after inoculation: Pierce on the side opposite the inoculation site. Keep the holes shallow, 1–1.5 cm deep, and create 20–30 holes per bag. This phase involves minor ventilation. Avoid large or deep holes or excessive hole numbers to prevent dehydration, which may hinder lump formation and primordia development. Third Piercing: 7–10 days before removing the bags: This phase involves major ventilation. Holes should be 2 cm deep, with 40–60 holes distributed across the entire bag. 3. PrecautionsThe number and depth of holes affect oxygen levels, moisture content, and temperature within the substrate. Adjust these based on specific conditions of the substrate and environment. After piercing, reduce the stacking density per unit area. Arrange bags in a triangular (“△”) shape instead of a grid (“井”) to prevent excessive temperature rises, which could overheat and damage the mycelium. 4. Misconceptions About PiercingMany growers mistakenly believe that piercing should only occur after lumps or nodules appear on the substrate bag. However, the best time for piercing is 5–7 days after the mycelium fully colonizes the bag—before lumps form. Lumps usually result from a combination of high temperatures and oxygen deficiency. If lumps have already formed, the mycelium is already oxygen-starved. Piercing at this point can injure the mycelium, increasing the risk of "red water" leakage. To avoid such issues, pierce as soon as lumps begin to form or, ideally, beforehand. 5. Key Considerations for PiercingEnsure Full Mycelium Colonization: Piercing bags not fully colonized by mycelium increases the risk of contamination. Isolate uncolonized bags for separate management. Prevent Cross-Contamination: Infected bags should be handled separately to avoid spreading contamination during piercing. A single infected bag can affect several others. Temperature Management Post-Piercing: After piercing, the mycelium becomes more active and generates heat. Maintain temperatures around 25°C, and do not exceed 28°C to prevent overheating or damage to the substrate.   Effective management of temperature before and after piercing is critical to ensure substrate survival and success. Controlling temperature during this period is the key to achieving high survival rates. Once temperature is well-managed, success is within reach.