Cultivating Instructions with substrate Lentinula (Shiitake)

Cultivating Instructions

1. Remove carefully the bag aside.
2. In a bowl place a stand and place the block on it and then fill the bowl with water, so as not to wet the substrate.

3. Place the block with the bowl in a cool, dark place with minimal lighting.

4. Originally begin to spray the substrate with plain water every 1-2 days. After 4-5 days there will be the first payments (like pimples). Then with a simple watering can wet the substrate every other day.

5. To next step is to harvest. The criteria to understand, if the mushrooms are ready to 'cut', are as follows:

     a) The color. Ripe Shiitake are pale brown
     b)Shape. When the hat (umbrella) has opened completely and is ready to turn upward.

Harvesting has to be made by hand, by uprooting the mushroom, without the aid of a knife.

      6. Cause cold shock to the block. After the first harvest, place the substrate in a bucket/small tank and fill with water over the surface. Then add some acidic formulations (1table spoon).

After 4-5 hours, drain the water without having to remove it all. After a few days the block will be ready to start producing mushrooms again.

Tip:

If there are mushroom roots within a very small distance, we suggest diluting them in order to have a sizeable and uniform mushrooms production.

Growing conditions

Crop area:

Ideal for substrates is a cool room, sheltered, with little light (room light). In short you can easily put in a sheltered balcony or terrace, or even in a room or warehouse.

Lighting:

Perfect lighting is 50-100 lux. During the night they can remain in the dark without a problem, but during the day you should avoid direct sun exposure.

Temperature:

Ideal temperature is between 6 and 18 ° C. At temperatures below 6 ° C there will not be a serious problem, except for small growth retardation. At temperatures above 25 ° C the fungus stops its growth.

Τip: When the substrate is exhausted and no longer produces mushrooms, we suggest its inclusion to the soil, as it serves as an organic fertilizer in vegetable crops and fruit trees.