In the first of our series on How They Grow, watch the video and read on to learn about how Shiitake mushrooms grow!
The process of growing Shiitake mushrooms begins with the preparation of the growing substrate, usually a mixture of hardwood sawdust, supplemented with nutrients like wheat bran or rice bran. Our grower uses a secret blend to get the best possible tasting mushrooms for chefs across the country! This substrate is sterilised to eliminate any competing organisms. Once sterilised, the substrate is inoculated with shiitake mushroom spawn, which is essentially the mycelium of the mushroom.
The inoculated substrate is then transferred to growing containers, the plastic bags that you can see in the video, where it undergoes incubation. During this stage, the mycelium colonises the substrate, spreading throughout and forming a network of delicate threads.
After incubation, the fully colonised substrate is moved to a fruiting environment with controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and light. Under these conditions, the mycelium triggers the formation of mushroom primordia, which eventually develop into mature shiitake mushrooms.
The mushrooms are harvested by hand when they reach the desired size, usually before the caps fully expand. After harvesting, the substrate undergoes a process called “flushing” where it is soaked in water to stimulate further mushroom growth.
Overall, the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms on farms involves careful management of environmental conditions and substrate to ensure optimal growth and yield.The entire process takes 6 months!
