Plastic greenhouse mushroom cultivation method

The *Hohenbuehelia serotina*, commonly known as the "sub-lateral ear" mushroom, is a rare and highly valued wild edible fungus found in Heilongjiang Province. It features fruiting bodies that range from medium to slightly large, with cap diameters between 3 to 12 cm. The caps are flat-spherical, semi-circular, or kidney-shaped, exhibiting a yellow-green color with a viscous texture, short hairs, and smooth edges. The flesh is white and thick, while the gills are pale yellow to white, and the stem is lateral. Due to its high market demand, the price of this mushroom has remained stable at over 20 yuan per kilogram, with a consistent upward trend. From autumn 2003 to spring 2004, the price even exceeded 40 yuan per kilogram. Historically, the cultivation of edible fungi in Heilongjiang has focused mainly on black fungus. However, *Hohenbuehelia serotina* remains largely wild and has not been commercially cultivated due to the lack of established techniques. This has limited its potential despite its strong market appeal. To address this issue, this article outlines the large-scale production and cultivation methods for *Hohenbuehelia serotina* using plastic greenhouses. **Environmental Requirements** - **Temperature**: The mycelium grows best between 6°C and 32°C, with an ideal temperature range of 20°C to 25°C. Above 34°C, growth is inhibited. For fruiting, the optimal temperature range is 5°C to 15°C, making early spring and late autumn ideal for cultivation. - **Moisture**: During mycelial growth, the substrate should be kept at around 65% moisture. Below 60%, the mycelium becomes weak. In the fruiting stage, air humidity should be maintained at about 85%. If it drops below 80%, growth slows, and if it exceeds 95%, the caps may discolor and rot. - **Air**: *Hohenbuehelia serotina* is an aerobic fungus. While mycelium can grow in sealed bags, the fruiting stage requires good air circulation. Poor ventilation can lead to deformed or no fruiting bodies. - **Light**: Mycelium grows well in darkness, but fruiting bodies require some scattered light. Complete darkness prevents fruiting, while excessive light causes pale caps, reducing commercial value. **Culture Material Selection and Formulation** Local materials are preferred for the culture medium. Hardwood sawdust, Corn cobs, and bean stalks are used as primary components, with supplementary materials such as bran, soybean flour, gypsum, lime, and sugar. - **Formula 1**: 78% hardwood sawdust, 20% bran, 1% sugar, 1% gypsum. - **Formula 2**: 50% soft wood sawdust, 30% corn cob, 16% bran, 4% lime. - **Formula 3**: 50% bean straw powder, 40% corn cob, 5% bran, 5% lime. - **Formula 4**: 47.5% corn cob, 47.5% soybean meal, 5% quicklime. - **Formula 5**: 95% main ingredients (corn cob, sawdust, bean meal), 2.5% compound fertilizer, 2.5% quicklime. **Bagging and Inoculation** Polyethylene tubes (20–28 cm in diameter) are cut into 50–55 cm lengths and filled using a bagging method. Hand-packed bags have three layers of material and four layers of inoculum, while machine-packed bags use 15–20% inoculum. The top is left open for ventilation. Bags are placed in a dry, shaded area and incubated at 25°C. They are turned daily for the first three days, and monitored to ensure the internal temperature does not exceed 28°C. Germination typically takes about 30 days. **Production Season and Fruiting Management** - **Early Spring Production**: Based on local climate, fruiting occurs around April 15, with harvest beginning in July. Bagging is done by late March, with the third subculture completed two months prior and the second subculture after 20 days, and the test tube subculture after 10 days. - **Late Autumn Production**: Greenhouse cultivation is not recommended after mid-November. Instead, the fruiting period is delayed by three months, starting around November 15, following the same timeline as early spring production. **Mushroom Shed Setup** Sheds should face south, be well-ventilated, and allow for moisture control and drainage. A typical size is around 666.66 square meters (about 1060 square feet). Too large or too small can complicate management and increase costs. Unlike traditional winter sheds, these should not be overly insulated but should provide moisture retention and shade. **First Tidal Mushroom Management** After inoculated bags are placed in the shed, they are arranged in north-south rows, 4–5 layers high. A 60–80 cm walkway is left between rows. After 10–15 days, primordia form at both ends of the bags. At this point, the bag covering the primordia is carefully cut open without fully exposing the ends to maintain moisture. As the primordia grow, humidity is gradually increased, and mushrooms are harvested just before spore release. **Subsequent Tidal Mushroom Management** After the first harvest, the bags are placed in pots filled with soil, and the shed is prepared with 20–30 cm spacing between pots. Walls and floors are disinfected with 5% lime, and insecticides like dichlorvos are sprayed. The bags are placed in the pots, and soil is covered around them. A 0.2% compound fertilizer solution is applied, and ventilation is maintained. After 15 days, new buds appear, and humidity is increased until spore release. After each harvest, the greenhouse is cleaned, humidity reduced, and the next cycle begins, allowing for 3–4 harvests with a biological efficiency of 100–150%. **Pest and Disease Control** - **Trichoderma viride (Green Mold)**: Grows at 8–33°C, spreads through spores, and affects the mycelium and fruiting bodies. Control includes using carbendazim solutions or removing infected material. - **Cephalosporium spp.**: Causes brown spots on the culture material. Prevention involves improving ventilation, applying fungicides, and removing diseased material. - **Physiological Diseases**: Include coral-like fruit bodies, long stems, and shriveling due to improper light, humidity, or ventilation. - **Insect Pests**: Such as fungus gnats, nematodes, springtails, and slugs. Control measures include screens, hot water treatments, tobacco ash, and insecticides. By selecting high-quality strains, using proper substrates, managing post-harvest conditions, and controlling pests effectively, large-scale *Hohenbuehelia serotina* cultivation in plastic greenhouses can be successfully implemented. With the right techniques, this rare and valuable mushroom can be produced at scale, contributing to the commercialization and economic development of the region.

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