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A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR
SYNTHETIC-LOG CULTIVATION OF GRIFOLA FRONDOSA (MAITAKE)
Courtesy of Dr. Alice Chen
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to Unicorn Imp & Mfg. Corp. at the address above.Commissioned to be written by UNICORN Imp. Mfg. Corp for reference by clients of Unicorn Imp. & Mfg. Corp. 903 886 8282 and fax 903 886 8878 P.O. Box 272, Commerce, Tx 75429 Bags used are UNICORN Types :- 3T, and 14 A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SYNTHETIC-LOG CULTIVATION
OF GRIFOLA FRONDOSA (MAITAKE)
ABSTRACT This cultivation manual for Maitake-mushroom production is written in meeting the need for a practical, concrete, and easy to follow guide. Synthetic-log cultivation, a methodology well-tested technically is chosen for growing Grifola frondosa, a prized edible of biomedical importance, using of UNICORN polypropylene bags, manufactured by UNICORN Imp & Mfg. Corp. Characteristics of this promising mushroom is high lighted for growers to keep in mind, as they proceed to learn how to grow the mushroom. Details are given for the process of cultivation, including selection of strains, types of spawn, where to obtain the spawn, where to obtain bags for mushroom cultivation, and substrate formulation. Guidelines on how to regulate growth parameters (temperature, relative humidity light and ventilation in terms of CO2 vs O2) for each growth stage are constructed in the table form, readily accessibe for application. Practices in China, Japan and North America are given for comparison. Time required for incubation and expected yield are also included. Efforts are made to demonstrate how the maitake mushroom grow by providing vivid sequential images. Selected photos taken during the process of production are used. Land-mark stages of Maitake growth and differentiation are delineated, from spawn run to the formation of mature Maitake fruiting cluster. Emphasis is made on major morphogenetic transitions, such as, mycelial-mat formation, primordia initiation, and fruiting-body development. Clear descriptions of Maitake fruiting clusters at peak, ready for harvest are provided, as well as what to avoid. Information on how to harvest the mushroom can also be found. Of particular interest is a section on problem solving and helpful notes. It is hoped that these discussions will benefit both the new growers and the more experienced ones who encounter difficulties in the process of growing Maitake. Growers must be aware that single-minded devotion is required to cultivate Grifola frondosa, a mushroom with intricate structure, larger than usual size, and great appatite for oxygen. TABLE OF CONTENTS -ABSTRACT -TABLE OF CONTENTS -LIST OF TABLES -LIST OF FIGURES -INTRODUCTION -STRAIN SELECTION -TYPES OF SPAWN -SOURCES OF OBTAINING SPAWN --SOURCES FOR CULTIVATION BAGS -SUBSTRATE -SUBSTRATE FORMULATION -MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH PARAMETERS -OBSERVATION OF HOW MAITAKE MUSHROOM GROW SPAWN RUN PRIMORDIA INITIATION FRUITING-BODY DEVELOPMENT THE BRAIN STAGE THE CAULIFLOWER STAGE THE CLUSTER FLOWER STAGE -TIMELY HARVEST -ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -REFERENCES -APPENDIX (Problem Solving and Helpful Notes) LIST OF TABLES Substrate Formulation I. Supplemented sawdust (fine + coarse)-bran substrate II. Supplemented sawdust (fine + coarse)-bran substrate with the addition of soil II. Supplemented sawdust (fine + coarse)-bran substrate with the addition of spent substrate and soil Management of Growth Parameters I. Maitake synthetic-log cultivation in China II. Maitake synthetic-log cultivation in Japan III. Maitake synthetic-log cultivation in North America IV. Maitake synthetic-log cultivation for home growers LIST OF FIGURES - OBSERVATION OF MYCELIAL GROWTH, SPAWN RUN, PRIMORDIA INITIATION AND FRUITING-BODY DEVELOPMENT 1. Maitake mycelia, 4 and 10 days after inoculation onto 3% Malt Agar (Paul Stamets, President of Fungi Perfecti, Olympia, WA, USA). 2. Spawn run (growth stage), 17 days. White young mycelia penetrate to the surface of the substrate . 3. Spawn run (maturation stage), 30 days. Mature mycelia, white, with orange-brown discoloration indicating metabolic activities. 4. Spawn run 42 days (primordia initiation in the closed bag). Grayish mounds of primordia are formed on mature mycelia in bags. 5. Primordia initiation ; a. The top of the bags just opened for greater access to light and oxygen. b. 2 days after opening, the primordia became larger. 6. Large grayish black primordia, globular, ball-like, offen dotted with exudates. 7. The brain stage and further development; a. As the dark grayish black primordia develop, convoluted folds appear on the surface, as if a brain. b. Further growth. 8. Post brain stages. a. Young overlapping fan-shaped pilei (caps) are formed in a cluster. b.Various degree of pileal development in the young Maitake fruiting body. 9. The cauliflower stage; a. Progressing to the cauliflower stage. b. Lighter, almost White, the developing cluster has overlapping petals with elongated lateral stems, each with a young cap on the upper portion, as if a cauliflower. 10. The cluster flower stage. Mature fruiting cluster with overlapping petals (caps + lateral stems) extending outward, as if a cluster flower. Check features in relation to harvest. 11. Maitake fruiting clusters produced in North America by Skunk Bay Mushroom Farm, Hansville, WA, USA (Bob Ames). 12. Maitake fruiting clusters produced by synthetic-log production in China - (Prof. Nian Lai Huang, Director, Sanming Mycological Research - Institute, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China). CULTIVATION OF MAITAKE MUSHROOM WITH SOIL CASING 13. Maitake cultivation with soil casing. a. Maitake mycelia began to aggregate on soil surface, in preparation for primordia initiation. b. A portrait of a vigorous young Maitake cluster, thriving in the growth environment with soil casing. 14. The cauliflower stage, successfully cultivated with soil casing (a + b). The developing Maitake fruiting cluster has overlapping petals with elongated lateral stems, each with a young pileus (cap) on the upper portion, as if a cauliflower. 15. Prolific production of a. Maitake cluster flowers, cultivated with soil casing, and b. a close examination. INTRODUCTION It takes undivided attention to grow Maitake. Most helpful is to grasp the characteristics of this highly aerobic mushroom of enomorous size in nature, with short, chunky, highly-branched stems, and numerous overlapping caps formed in a cluster. The fact that Maitake grows in temperate climates and forms fruiting bodies in the Fall, defines the temperature requirement for cultivation (Chen et al., 1998a, b,c). Study the specific requirement of each growth stage, particularly the major morphogenetic transitions (Moore and Chiu., 1998), such as formation of mycelial mat on the substrate surface, initiation of primordia and differentiation of the fruiting body. After intellectually and thoroughly understanding the process, it is essential to implement your carefully laid-out plan, using a good practical guide as a reference. It is wise not to share the same growing room of Maitake with other mushrooms, since greater attention to detail is required, compared to growing other species. Once you learn how to cultivate this choice edible with promising medicinal properties (Nanba, 1995, 1997; Stamets, 1993, 1998), you will find it a most rewarding experience. STRAIN SELECTION Strain selection in Maitake is crucial before plumging into production. Unlike Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) or Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma spp.), a high percentage of Grifola frondosa strains, whether isolated from natural habitats or obtained from culture collections, do not fruit well, if at all (Huang, 1997; Stamets, 1993). There are also considerable differences among strains in growth rate, yield, temperature requirements, and features of the fruiting body, such as color,and shape of the caps. Testing a new strain before production is therefore essential. Fig. 1. shows the mycelial colonies on agar plates from a North American strain of Grifola frondosa cloned from the wild in Pennsylvania, USA. Strains in mushrooms are similar to races in human beings. Different human races, sharing a common genetic heritage, belong to a single species, Homo sapiens. A mushroom species may also consist of many strains, each with a distinct gentotype (genetic make-up) and phenotype (observable features), but are compatible in mating. Reputable mushroom growers often take pride in developing their own unique high quality strains. TYPES OF SPAWN Spawn, the (asexual) mushroom seed, is the vigorous mycelial growth of, usually a single fungus on a chosen substrate-material (liquid media, grains, sawdust substrates, and wooden sticks, etc.). For growing mushrooms, this living pure culture, the vegetative propagation stage of a fungus, is used to inoculate, under sterile conditions, new substrates in such containers as specially designed polyethylene bags with microfilter windows for breathing. You can obtain from well-established mushroom growers ready-to-fruit blocks already inoculated with your favorite mushroom species, the so called colonized synthetic logs. With some training on aseptic techniques, you can start with spawn to inoculate synthetic |
