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Water Injection for Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation Logs

In the process of cultivating shiitake mushrooms, managing water injection for cultivation logs is a challenging task. Injecting water too early may prevent mushroom growth, while injecting it too late can lead to water deficiency, reduced mycelial vitality, and smaller yields. Excessive water injection can also hinder mushroom growth. So, how should one control the timing and amount of water injection for shiitake mushroom logs?

1. Timing of Water Injection
   After shiitake mushroom logs are placed in the field and aligned, there are two management modes:

• First Mode: Remove the plastic bags, harvest the first crop of mushrooms, and then inject water.

• Second Mode: Inject water first, then remove the bags for mushroom growth.

The choice between these two methods depends on the weight of the logs.

• Heavier Logs: For logs weighing over 3 jin (for 15×55 cm bags), it is better to remove the bags, harvest the mushrooms, and then inject water.

• Lighter Logs: For logs weighing under 2.8 jin (for 15×55 cm bags), it is better to inject water first and then remove the bags for mushroom growth.

It is crucial to ensure the logs are mature before water injection or bag removal. Premature water injection can complicate management, leading to rotting logs and cores, resulting in significant losses. During the first crop, the water content in the logs is usually low, making them prone to dehydration. As the mushrooms grow, they extract water from the logs, causing severe water loss. If water is not replenished in time, the mycelium will weaken, making the logs soft and reducing their yield. Therefore, water must be replenished during peak mushroom growth to maintain mycelial vitality and ensure good production.

2. Amount of Water Injection
   The amount of water injected is critical:

• Insufficient Water: May fail to support mushroom growth.

• Excessive Water: Can cause the logs to rot, especially during the first injection in warm autumn conditions (e.g., a warm October).

For the first and second injections, use one or two injection needles to control the water amount. Avoid applying too much water pressure. The ideal post-injection weight of the logs should be between 3.2–3.5 jin. By the third injection, the water amount is less critical. Avoid using multiple needles for the first two injections to save time, as this can lead to overwatering and complications.

3. Frequency of Water Injection
   Based on years of experimentation, three water injections and one water soaking session per log are ideal for optimal yield and efficient nutrient use. Excessive injections (four, five, or more) are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and not necessarily productive.

The recommended process is as follows:

• Each water injection supports two mushroom crops: injection mushrooms and subsequent recovery mushrooms.

• Three injections produce six mushroom crops, and the final soaking session yields an additional crop, making a total of seven crops.

By reasonably arranging water injection and soaking, the logs’ nutrients can be fully utilized, maximizing yield while saving time and labor.