Organic Shiitake - Straw-Strain - Lentinula edodes - Pure Culture

Organic Shiitake - Straw-Strain - Lentinula edodes - Pure Culture

Synonyms: Lentinus edodes, Agaricus edodes, Shii-Take, Shaingugu, Hua Gu, Qua Gu, Chinese black mushroom, black forest mushroom

The special feature of this Shiitake-strain is the ability to thrive on straw, unlike other Shiitake strains that typically require different substrates for cultivation. This particular strain is suitable for cultivation on straw bales. It prefers a colder fruiting temperature of 14° - 16 °C. While it can still fruit at higher temperatures, doing so may result in less visually appealing fruiting bodies. 
The Japanese name "shiitake" is derived from "take" (= mushroom) and "shii" (= pasania tree) and literally meaning "mushroom that grows on the tree". Shiitake is native to Japan, Korea and China and its properties have been recognised by the population for around 2,000 years. Its aroma strongly resembles garlic and is attributed to a compound called lenthionine. Shiitake is considered the second most most popular edible mushroom after the button mushroom.

This fresh product is prepared fresh for you to order. The production time is around 3 - 6 weeks.
The mushroom spawn should be processed immediately after delivery.
If the product cannot be used immediately, it can be stored in the refrigerator at 4 °C for up to 2 weeks.
We recommend that you plan for this when ordering and making your preparations

Suitable cultivation methods: 
wood logs, mushroom patch, spawn bags for indoor greenhouse, straw bales

Suitable substrates: hardwood, straw
Suitable woods:  birch, beech, oak, alder, chestnut, shiia / pasania
Outdoors: this strain produces fruiting bodies in spring and autumn.

You receive living, actively growing, axenic cell culture, entirely free of other strains or contaminating organisms, for further propagation. Our pure cultures are custom-made and produced freshly after ordering -  in a class 100 clean room environment on a solid nutrient medium (MEA) based on plant-derived raw materials. The pure culture needs around 2-3 weeks until its mature enough for shipping. The culture is supplied in special cell culture flasks (Filling volume: 15 ml culture medium, Growth area: 25 cm², Measurements: L x W x H = 79,7 x 42,6 x 26,53 mm) with breathable, hydrophobic membrane. This special design prevents introduction of contaminants and facilitates optimum gas exchange thanks to the high air flow rate of the membrane. With this packaging, the mushroom culture can withstand longer shipping distances and time without compromising quality or germination ability. 

This product is intended for professional production of grain spawn to further propagate this strain of fungi. Working with pure cell cultures requires detailed mushroom cultivation skills. For beginners and hobby growers we recommend starting with grain spawn or sawdust spawn. 

We highly recommend reading this book - gain further detailed knowledge for successful mushroom cultivation: 
- Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms, Dr. Paul Stamets, ISBN: 978-1580081757 (Englisch) 

Taxonomy: 
Division: Agaricomycetes 
Class: Agaricomycetidae 
Order: Agaricales 
Family: Marasmiaceae 
Genus: Lentinula 
Species: Lentinula edodes 
Spores: white, ovale to ellipsoid shape, up to 5 - 6,5 x 3 - 3,5 µ 

Growing conditions: 
Phase 1: Mycelial growth 
Temperature: 23 - 26 °C 
Humidity: 95 - 100 % 
Duration: 55 - 70 days
CO2: > 10.000 ppm 
Fresh air exchange: 0 - 1 per hour 
Light: 50 - 100 Lux 

Phase 2: Primordia Bildung / Fruiting initiation 
Temperature: 17 - 19 °C 
Humidity: 95 - 100 % 
Duration: 5 - 7 days 
CO2: < 1.000 ppm
Fresh air exchange: 4 - 7 per hour
Light: 500 - 2.000 Lux

Phase 3: Fruiting and harvest
Temperature: 14 - 16 °C 
Humidity: 85 - 95 %
Duration: 5 - 8 days
CO2: 600 - 1.000 ppm 
Fresh air exchange: 5 - 8 per hour 
Light: Daylight (12 hour-cycle)

Harvesting cycle: 2 - 3 crops, app14 days apart
 

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