Tips on How to Make Morel Nutrition Bags

1. Soaking Wheat Grain: Since the nutrient bags for morel mushrooms require a large quantity in a short time, soaking a large amount of wheat grain is necessary. In the southern regions, soaking is used to prepare the grains. When the temperature is above 15°C, soaking for 24 hours should be sufficient, and most of the grains should have little or no white cores. To prevent acidification, about 1% of quicklime can be added to the soaking pool. If the temperature is lower, the soaking time should be extended. The moisture content after soaking should be above 40%. Soaking can be done in a cement pool or a temporary fenced pool. Alternatively, steaming can be used. If steaming is chosen, the temperature should be 95°C for 30-40 minutes.
2. Pre-wetting Auxiliary Materials: Cottonseed hulls and corn cobs need to be pre-wet. This can typically be done a day in advance by thoroughly soaking them in water, allowing them to rest and absorb moisture. Alternatively, water can be mixed in with a mixer, and then the materials can be allowed to sit for a while before use. Both corn cobs and cottonseed hulls must absorb water completely, and no additional water should be added during mixing. The moisture content of these materials should be between 62%-66% before use. Rice husks also need to be pre-wet, as they are less absorbent than other materials.
3. Mixing: Wheat grain, pre-wetted auxiliary materials, soybean meal, lime, and other additives should be added to the mixing tank and mixed. Under normal conditions, no additional water is needed, although if the mixture is too dry, a small amount of water can be added. The mixing time must be strictly controlled, and from the start of mixing to the point of use, it should not exceed 20 minutes. This is because wheat grains, after soaking and absorbing water, are highly susceptible to damage from mechanical stirring, which can cause the starch to leak out, making the grain sticky and difficult to bag.

The existing nutrient bagging machines are improved versions of food automatic bagging and packaging machines, featuring high speed and automation. These machines can automatically feed, fill, seal, and perforate bags, with a bagging speed of 2400–3000 bags per hour. The filling amount and packaging bag size can be adjusted. They use a composite film made from polypropylene and polyethylene, which can withstand sterilization at 121°C under high pressure. The bags are made using a three-side seal, often referred to as pillow packaging. This packaging method has the following advantages: it keeps the filler loose, ensures the thickness is not high after placement in the field, promotes faster mycelium growth once the bag is filled, and leads to rapid bag filling. The pollution rate is low, and the absorption and utilization efficiency are higher. This type of bagging is suitable for nationwide use. The nutrient bags produced by the mushroom bagging machine can be stored directly in plastic turnover bins or mesh woven bags, which are then placed on racks for sterilization.

The sterilization of nutrient bags is a process of maturation and sterilization. High-pressure sterilization has the advantages of minimal nutrient destruction, good maturation, and resistance to acidification. For high-temperature sterilization, the core temperature of the bag must reach 121°C and maintain it for at least 120 minutes. For normal pressure sterilization, the core temperature must reach 98°C and remain for at least 10 hours.

After sterilization, the nutrient bags are removed and cooled before they can be used.