Lions’ Mane Fruiting Body Growth Management Techniques–Ventilation measures

Hericium erinaceus is an aerobic fungus. The fruiting body needs to continuously inhale oxygen and discharge carbon dioxide during the entire growth process, so it requires a sufficient oxygen supply. Moreover, the fruiting body is very sensitive to carbon dioxide during its growth and development stage, and is the most sensitive fungus to carbon dioxide among all edible fungi. When ventilation is poor or the carbon dioxide content in the air is high, it has a great impact on the differentiation of primordia and the growth of fruiting bodies. During the growth and development of fruiting bodies, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air should be 0.03%~0.1%.

Poor ventilation, excessive carbon dioxide deposition, when the concentration exceeds 0.1%, it will stimulate the continuous branching of the stipe, inhibit the development of the central part, and produce coral-like deformed mushrooms. Under saturated humidity and still air, carbon dioxide deposition is easy to cause, resulting in poor development of fruiting bodies, an increase in deformed mushrooms, or contamination by miscellaneous bacteria. Therefore, ventilation should be strengthened during the growth stage of bag-grown Hericium erinaceus.

Ventilation management should be based on the relative humidity and temperature of the air. If the relative humidity of the air is low, the temperature is generally low at this time. During the growth and development stage of fruiting bodies, the plastic film and doors at both ends of the inner shed of the layered cultivation should also be opened for a long time.

If the relative humidity and temperature of the air in the mushroom-growing environment are suitable, the plastic films around the inner shed of the shelf-type cultivation should also be opened completely to allow the mushroom bags and fruiting bodies to be in an extremely well-ventilated state, which is more conducive to the growth and development of the fruiting bodies.

For shelf-type cultivation mushroom sheds, if the length of the mushroom shed is more than 10 meters, a skylight should be opened every 5 to 6 meters on the roof of the mushroom shed, and some side windows should also be opened around to facilitate ventilation.