Straw Management

Step 1: Site Preparation

Straw mushrooms can be cultivated in shaded, well-ventilated areas or under direct sunlight, such as on-field ground or seedbed ground. The growing site must have good drainage to prevent waterlogging during irrigation or rainfall.
The soil for straw mushroom cultivation should be treated with lime at a rate of 5 kg/100 m2 (300-500 kg/hectare).

Step 2: The straw Source

The straw sources can be in either bale or loose form. The straw must be disease-free, not affected by pesticides, not contaminated with salinity, white mold, or rot rotten due to rain.

Step 3: Preparing the soaking tank

Prepare the soaking tank (locating the tank near the composting area is advisable for convenience).
Use a waterproof tarpaulin to construct a soaking tank with dimensions of approximately 2.5 x 4.5 meters (or adjust according to the actual scale).
The ground for setting up the soaking tank must be level and free of sharp objects that could damage the tank’s walls.

Preparing a lime solution

Soak the straw in the tank, trampling it to ensure even absorption. After soaking for about 10 minutes, remove the straw and allow it to drain

Step 4: Composting and Turning the Compost Pile

Place the straw on an iron/bamboo rack (20 cm above the ground) or on a well-ventilated ground surface.
Place banana trunks in the center of the compost pile to improve aeration.
The amount of straw used is at least 100 kg, and the dimensions of the compost pile are approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters high, at least 1.5 meters wide, and more than 1.5 meters long
Cover the compost pile with a waterproof tarpaulin, ensuring that there are ventilation holes on top.

Monitor the compost moisture and add water if necessary, ensuring the temperature remains above 60-70°C.
After 7 and 17 days of composting, turn the pile for the first and second time, respectively, moving the material from the inside out and then from the outside in.

Step 5: Preparing Mushroom Spawn

The mushroom spawn is rice husk spawn. Choose bag of spawn with a uniform white mycelium growth and a pleasant smell.
The spawn is separated and mixed with mycelium stimulating yeast at the recommended ratio. Or mix with vermicompost, dose of 70-160g and mushroom mycelium stimulating ingredients as recommended.

Step 6: Putting compost in bed

After composting for 16-18 days, the compost is placed in a bed. The size of the compost bed should be 35-40 cm wide and 35 cm high. Straw is taken from the compost pile, rolled, and arranged into lines
Following this, a layer of spawn is spread in the middle of the line (approximately 160g/m of line).
Then the surface is covered with another layer of straw
The compost bed is then prepared and watered. Using both hands, the compost bed is stroked and tightly compressed. Subsequently, the compost bed is exposed to direct sunlight for 4 days.

Note: Using the tarpaulin cover the compost bed is used in the rain; make sure the ventilation is good. In case it is windy, arrange the compost line to avoid the direct wind, the wind

Step 7: Caring and Watering

After drying in the sun, the bed should be covered with straw. Then the cover should be wetted.
Watering once daily, either in the afternoon at about 4 pm or in the morning (7-8 am), should be done using a shower.

After covering the straw for 4 or 5 days, check the spread of mycelium and turn the bed cover to limit the mycelium spreading beyond the cover layer.
When the mycelium spreads evenly on the 7th or 8th day, begin watering for mushroom growth. About two days later, the pins will start appearing.

Step 8: Harvesting

The time from sowing spawn to harvesting is about 12 days. Harvest twice a day, in the morning (at 5-6 am) and in the afternoon (at 5-6 pm)
There are 2 harvests. The 1st harvest is within 4 days. Afterward, take care of the mushroom bed, and the mushrooms will appear approximately 5-6 days later.
How to harvest mushrooms: Gently rotate the mushroom to separate it from the compost bed. Do not leave the mushroom feet on the compost bed, as they will rot and damage the affected mushroom buds. After harvesting, cover the compost bed.

Step 9: Cleaning after mushroom cultivation

After harvesting the mushrooms, the substrate can be composted to create organic fertilizer for plants.
Use burnt lime to disinfect the growing area and leave it in the sun for at least 1 month before growing the next crop.

Step 1: Preparing net House and Shelves

The net house (dimensions are approximately 3m high and 4.5m wide, with a length of around 8m, or a size varying depending on actual conditions.
Covered with waterproof tarpaulin, and inside, an orchid net or wire net can be used. The temperature and humidity inside the net house can be regulated. It is crucial to ensure ventilation in the net house.
Growing shelves, comprised of bamboo or iron, have 3-4 floors spaced 0.5m apart to allow for convenient movement.
Growing shelves, comprised of bamboo or iron, have 3-4 floors spaced 0.5m apart to allow for convenient movement.

Step 2: Preparing rice Straw

Straws must be selected that are new and disease-free or not rot. In addition, it is necessary to determine that the straw has not been contaminated with salt or pesticides before. Use a bale of straw weighing about 14-6 kg or piles of straw.

Step 3: Straw Treatment

Prepare a straw-soaking tank. Placing it near the composting area for convenience.
Use a waterproof tarpaulin to construct the soaking tank. The dimensions can be adjusted based on the actual scale.
The ground for the tank must be flat, without sharp trees or objects that could tear the walls of the tank.
Preparing lime solution: Fill the tank with water to a height of about 20cm, then add lime. Stir well and use pH paper to test (aiming for a pH of 13-14). Usually, about 5 kg of lime should be added to 1 m3 of water
After soaking the straw for approximately 10 minutes, remove and drain it. The straw will appear bright yellow after being soaked in lime solution.

Step 4: Stacking and turning

Arrange the straw in layers, placing a banana plant in the middle, watering, and compressing it with the foot to soften and absorb water (each layer should be 20-30 cm thick). Additionally, sprinkle an extra layer of lime to eliminate other fungi. Remove stalks or debris from the watered straw.
Continue stacking layers until the compost pile reaches the desired size (the amount of raw straw to be used is at least 1 ton to ensure that the size of the compost bed is about 1.2 – 1.5 m high, about ≥1.5m wide and 1.5 m long or can be increased depending on the amount of straw). Remove plants from the middle of the pile to create more space. Ensure ventilation of the compost pile and cover it with a waterproof tarp to maintain moisture and heat.
After 7 days, perform the first turning of the compost pile (from outside to inside and from inside to outside). Add water if there is a lack of moisture and compact the compost pile (if there is excess water, compacting is not necessary). The humidity level must reach 70-75%, and the temperature should be above 70°C.
After 10 days, perform the second turning. After 17 days of incubation, the straw can be utilized for growing mushrooms.

Step 5: Preparing Mushroom Spawn

The mushroom spawn is rice husk spawn, so choose bags of spawn with evenly white silk and a pleasant smell.
The spawn is separated and mixed with mycelium-stimulating yeast at the recommended ratio.

Step 6: Putting compost straw on shelves

Incubate the mycelium within 3 days, check the humidity and temperature in the net house regularly to control water spraying, and open the net house for ventilation
After 3 days, apply vermicompost fertilizer, dose 2 kg/m2

Step 7: Caring and Watering

During the incubation period, it is essential to monitor the temperature and humidity of the net house

+ The suitable temperature for the mycelium stage is 15-40°C, with humidity maintained at 50-70%

+ For the fruiting stage, the temperature should be 25-30°C, with humidity between 80-100%.

During this stage, the substrate does not require abundant moisture. If the temperature is high and the humidity is low, spraying mist in the net house is recommended.

After 7 days, ample water should be sprinkled to stimulate the mycelium to form fruiting bodies. When spraying water, it should be combined with lighting for 12 hours to aid in simultaneous fruit body formation
Additionally, 0.05% sodium acetate (1 L/m2) can be added to promote better mushroom growth.

Step 8: Harvesting

Harvest straw mushrooms at the egg-shaped stage. Harvesting should be done twice a day, in the morning (5 – 6 am) and in the afternoon (5 pm – 6 pm), to ensure quality, productivity, and a high selling price.
There are 2 harvests. The first harvest should be made within 4 days. Then, continue to care for the mushrooms as before for about 5-6 days, and the new mushrooms will begin to appear. The harvest will last about 3 days.

Step 9: Cleaning the net house

After harvesting the mushrooms, the substrate can be composted as organic fertilizer to nourish the crop.
Open the tarpaulin to ventilate the net house and use lime to eliminate bacteria. Quarantine the area for at least 1 month before planting the next crop

Refer to additional videos on indoor and outdoor mushroom cultivation.