Cultivating Shiitake Mushrooms: Complete Guide with Substrate Blocks, Substrate Bale, and Substrate Kits"

The Shiitake mushroom variety, also known as oak fungus or Lentinula edodes, is prized not only for its edible qualities but also for its medicinal virtues, particularly as an excellent antioxidant with anti-aging properties. Cultivating these mushrooms requires careful attention at various stages. This cultivation can be done either from a substrate you prepare yourself or from substrate blocks, also known as substrate logs or substrate kits.

A. Les Étapes de la Culture avec Blocs de Substrat, Ballots de Substrat et Kits de Substrat

1 Incubation (Substrate colonization by mycelium)

The optimal incubation temperatures in the substrate are 20 – 25 °C (68 – 77 °F). It's crucial to monitor the temperature within the blocks, not just the air temperature, as the mycelium generates significant heat during the incubation phase when it breaks down lignin and cellulose.

Shiitake substrates tend to heat up more than Pleurotus substrates. The optimal air temperature is 18 – 20 °C (64.4 – 68 °F), but the substrate temperature should not exceed 25 °C (77 °F) during the growth phase. The optimal relative humidity is 80 – 85%. Sufficient oxygen is necessary to facilitate lignin degradation. The mycelium must invade the substrate quickly and evenly to avoid uneven growth and the development of competing molds. Towards the end of incubation, a stroma typically develops over the entire substrate surface; over time, it tends to turn brown.

Incubation lasts 4 – 6 weeks depending on climatic conditions and strain. A 4-week incubation usually produces fewer mushrooms but they are larger, while a 6-week incubation typically results in a dense flush of medium-sized mushrooms.

2. Initiation (Setting Up the Growing Chamber)

• Initiation Temperature: Maintain a temperature range between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius (50 - 59 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Initiation Humidity: Maintain high humidity of 95-100%.

• Initiation Duration: This stage takes 2 to 3 days.

• Light Requirement (Initiation): Expose the mushrooms to a light intensity of 500 to 1000 Lux.

3. Fruiting (Harvesting Phase)

• Fruiting Temperature: Maintain a temperature range between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius (ideal 15°C or 59 - 66 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Fruiting Humidity: Maintain humidity between 90 to 95%.

• Recommended CO2 concentration is 0.05%, which is 500 parts per million (PPM).

• Fruiting Duration: The fruiting phase lasts for 5 to 7 days.

• Light Requirement (Fruiting): Shiitake mushrooms require less light than Pleurotus. Provide approximately 100 lux for 12 hours per day.

You're looking to establish a mushroom farm and are seeking Shiitake mushroom substrates?

Our price per tonne: €525 excluding refrigerated transport. Request a quote

Are you looking for a supplier of Shiitake substrate or strain ?

Our Shiitake substrate blocks:

We market Shiitake substrate blocks in various formats:"

• In 3.3KG bags starting from €2.1 per bag

• In 17-20KG logs with dimensions of 503620 at €10.5 per log."

The bags are micro-perforated to allow perfect exchange between air and moisture (photo below).

• Average yield of 25% of the weight of the log.

• Lead time between order and delivery is 5-6 weeks (Shiitake is one of the varieties with the longest colonization cycle).

• Minimum order of 18 logs for 17-20KG bags, 10 logs for 3.3KG bags.

• Strain 4325.

D. Marketing / Commercialization

Once harvested, Shiitake mushrooms can be stored for approximately 14 days. During this period, various sales channels are available:

1. Direct Sales: This allows you to directly market your mushrooms to the end consumer without intermediaries. Generally, this type of sale enables the highest selling price per kilogram as there are no intermediaries involved.

2. On-farm Sales: Selling through on-farm stores often yields a lower price per kilogram, but these outlets facilitate a smooth flow of your production. Some farmers manage to sell up to 30 kilograms per week per store.

3. Processing: Another option is to sell your Shiitake mushrooms in dried form, which significantly increases the selling price per kilogram (though be aware that the mushrooms will lose a lot of weight due to water removal). Alternatively, you can process them into other products; for example, some mushroom growers choose to produce mushroom soup.

When it comes to the selling price, Shiitake mushrooms are often sold around 12€ per kilogram for organic varieties. FranceAgrimer also places the market price at this rate. Through local direct sales, some of our clients sell it for around 15-16€ per kilogram. However, Shiitake mushrooms are more common in France compared to more exotic mushrooms like Maitake, which tends to lower their price per kilogram.

C. Harvesting with Substrate Blocks, Substrate Bales and Substrate Kits

Shiitake harvesting is done in a single flush, with an average yield of 25% relative to the total weight of the substrate bale. The first harvest is typically the most productive, representing approximately 14% of the bale's weight, followed by the second harvest (6%) and the third harvest (5%). Harvest planning spans over several weeks, ensuring a continuous supply.

• Week 1: Installation of bales

• Week 2: First harvest

• Week 4: Second harvest

• Week 6: Third harvest

B. Setting Up Blocks (Kit or Bale)

There are different ways to arrange your blocks, but the most optimized method is to place them flat on shelves equipped with trays. With a ceiling height of 2.5 meters, it is possible to fit up to 3 blocks while maintaining a 60 cm gap between each block. The number of blocks per growing room varies according to its size (logically).

Mushroom cultivation using substrate blocks, bags, or kits can be profitable, unconventional, and can help you stand out from your neighboring growers by offering a unique product. However, it does require an initial investment to set up the growing chamber.

Many mushroom varieties are available in the form of substrate bags or kits. They can be organic (certified by AB) or conventional, depending on your preference. You can explore our other pages for a comprehensive view of what we can offer.

Do you have a mushroom cultivation project, either organic (certified by AB) or conventional? Feel free to contact us. We can handle your purchases to provide you with quality substrate bags at the best prices.

Optimising your costs maximises your profitability, so don't neglect this aspect.

Buy your Lentinula edodes Shiitaké blocks at the best price!