Shiitake Liquid Culture Syringe

• Use potato dextrose agar (PDA) or malt extract agar (MEA) for initial culturing of the mycelium.
• Incubate Petri dishes at 22-25°C (72-77°F) in a dark environment until fully colonized.

• Grain spawn (oats, rye, millet, or sorghum) or sawdust spawn is recommended for inoculating the bulk substrate.
• Sterilize the grains or sawdust and inoculate with the colonized agar from the Petri dishes.
• Incubate the spawn at 22-25°C (72-77°F) until fully colonized.

• Shiitake mushrooms can be grown on a variety of hardwood substrates including oak, beech, and maple. Hardwood sawdust supplemented with bran is commonly used for commercial cultivation.
• Ensure the substrate is properly sterilized to avoid contamination and to provide a nutrient-rich environment for the fungus.

• Optimal temperature for mycelium growth: 22-25°C (72-77°F)
• Optimal temperature for fruiting: 10-20°C (50-68°F)

• Maintain high humidity levels of 85-95% during the mycelium growth phase.
• During fruiting, humidity should be kept around 75-85% to encourage the development of fruiting bodies and to prevent drying out.

• Shiitake mushrooms require light to trigger and support fruiting. Low to moderate light conditions are sufficient. Indirect sunlight or fluorescent lighting can be used.
• Light helps in cap development and ensures proper orientation of the mushrooms.

• Good air circulation is essential to prevent the buildup of CO2 and to provide fresh air, which is critical during the fruiting stage.
• Ensure proper ventilation to maintain fresh air exchange, especially during the fruiting phase.

• Colonization of the substrate typically takes 6-12 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.
• Fruiting can be expected within 1-2 weeks after the substrate is fully colonized and conditions are adjusted for fruiting.
• Total growing time from inoculation to harvest is approximately 10-16 weeks.

For cultivating Shiitake mushrooms, the ideal pH range of the substrate is typically between 5.0 and 6.5, with a slightly acidic environment being most conducive to growth. Maintaining this pH range helps optimize the conditions for the mycelium to thrive and produce fruiting bodies efficiently. Adjusting the pH of your substrate according to these guidelines can significantly impact the success of your Shiitake cultivation.