In general, people make sticks from August to September, fruiting will be realized from December to next May. This period belongs to optimal season and can get a large production. Management measures during fruiting period of Shiitake in autumn and winter are as follows:
1. Widen the temperature difference between day and night: Shiitake is pleased to temperature changes, normal fruiting can be done when the temperature difference between day and night is about 10 degrees. In the daytime, people could tightly cover thin film and rise the temperature of ridge to between 25 and 30 degrees. Ventilation should be given at nightfall to lower temperature to below about 15 degree. After a few days, primordiums will largely expose on the surface of fungus tubes and grow into mushroom buds.
2. Control the temperature of mushroom house: after colouring, people could remain relative air humidity of ridge in about 85% in initial stage. When finding that mushroom buds have generated caps and stipes, people could reduce relative air humidity in about 80%.
3. Create suitable differences of dry and wet: in initial stage, the interior water content of fungus tubes is sufficient and can completely meet the needs on the first flush of sporocarps, therefore, it is necessary to soak in water and induce mushrooms. After picking the first flush of mushroom, people could stop spraying water, uncover thin film, ventilate and remain a dry condition on the surface of fungus tubes for 1 to 3 days. Then, people could cover thin film to raise temperature of ridge and promote the growth of spawns. After 2 to 3 days, mushroom cave will grow white spawns. On that occasion, people could spray water and increase the humidity, uncover thin film and ventilate, raise the temperature and promote the growth of next flush of mushroom.
4. Ensure ventilation and reduce malformed mushrooms: when the temperature is above 23 degrees, people could ventilate in every morning, noon and night. When the temperature is below 17 degrees, people could ventilate once a day. During the growth period of sporocarps, people could ensure sufficient moisture and fresh air.
5. Give sufficient sunlight: non-direct sunlight should be given during the growth period of sporocarps.
6. Prevent sundry fungi and extend lifespan of fungus tube: people could spray 50%, 500 times of carbendazol wettable powder or 0.1% of Lysol solution on the wall, mushroom shelves and ground to prevent sundry fungi.