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Pleurotus eryngii

King oyster

Synonyms
  • King Oyster
  • Celery Mushroom
Scientific Classification
Kindom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Tricholomataceae
Genus: Pleurotus
Species: Eryngii


Pleurotus eryngii is by considered by many to be the best tasting Oyster mushroom and is therefore, well deserving of the title, the King Oyster. Popular in Europe, this stout, thickly fleshed mushroom produces some of the largest and most distinctive sporocarps of its genus. Preferring hardwoods, this mushroom is easy to grow. Although this mushroom grows on cereal (wheat) straws, the yields are not as substantial as that of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius on this same material, at the same rate of spawning, unless supplements are added or a unique spawning method is employed.


Cultivation[]

Parameters[]

Spawn run

  • Temperature: 75°F (24°C)
  • Humidity: 90-95%
  • Duration: 12-16 days
  • CO2: 5000-20,000ppm
  • Light reqs: n/a

Primordia Formation

  • Temperature: 60-70°F (10-15°C)
  • Humidity: 95-100%
  • Duration: 4-5 days
  • CO2: 500-1000 ppm
  • Light reqs: 500-1000 lux
  • FAEs: 4-8 per hour

Fruit body Development

  • Temperature: 60-80°F (15-21°C)
  • Humidity: 85-90%
  • Duration: 4-8 days
  • CO2: <2000 ppm
  • Light reqs: 500-1000 lux
  • FAEs: 4-5 per hour



Substrates[]

Most hardwoods, wheat straw, and cottonseed hulls support fruitings. This mushroom is not as adaptive as P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus to a broad range of substrates. Nevertheless, many materials can be used. It seems to perform well on recycled, re-sterilized waste Shiitake substrate. However, it is not recommended for commercial purposes unless the preferred wood type or alternative substrate materials were exceedingly scarce or cost-prohibitive. If cultivation this mushroom on wheat straw, the addition of 5-10% cottonseed meal reportedly has the greatest effect in enhancing yield.

For great fruitings of Pleurotus eryngii, both in terms of yields and quality, some use, 20% bran-enriched alder sawdust. Three weeks after inoculation with grain spawn, the fully colonized bags of sterilized sawdust/chips/bran are brought into the growing room. The top of the bags are horizontally sliced open, resulting in a 3-4 inch plastic wall around and above the surface plane of the mycelium. In effect, these side walls protect the super-sensitive aerial mycelium from sudden dehydration. Condensation is promoted. Coupled with a descending fog environment within the growing room, the perfect micro climate for primordia formation is provided.

Casing layer[]

Although a casing layer has been recommended by other cultivators, some have found its application to be unnecessary.

Natural Habitat[]

See Also[]

References[]

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