Mushroom Growing Container: 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. 

The multi-station barrel-holding bagging machine production line adopts a double-mixing and storage mode, which allows the bagging machine to operate continuously. The bagging length and tightness of the bagging machine are adjustable, which is suitable for the operation of long bags of shiitake mushrooms. The sleeve is replaceable, and it integrates multiple process operations such as mixing, lifting, material distribution, bagging, and automatic tying, which can meet the daily production of nearly 80,000 bags. 

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.

4 Cubic Meter Edible Mushroom Substrate Mixer Successfully Delivered Recently, Henan JOCONN completed the production and shipment of a 4 cubic meter edible mushroom substrate mixer customized for a client. This machine features a high-efficiency mixing system, ensuring uniform blending, and is specifically designed to meet the demands of large-scale edible mushroom substrate production. The mixer is designed with durability and ease of operation in mind, significantly improving the efficiency of the client’s production line. The client expressed high satisfaction with the quality and performance of the equipment and looks forward to its valuable contribution to their production process.   Thank you for choosing and trusting JOCONN. We remain committed to providing high-quality edible mushroom machinery solutions to customers worldwide!