Can Lactarius deliciosus be cultivated artificially?
The delicious taste of wild Lactarius deliciosus has countless gourmets pursuing it, can this precious fungi that coexists with pine forests break through natural limitations to achieve artificial cultivation? Recent planting practices have provided an affirmative answer. Mastering three core elements can achieve large-scale output while preserving the wild flavor.
Key points of artificial cultivation techniques for Lactarius deliciosus
Building a symbiotic environment with pine forests
Cultivate during the thunderstorm season from June to August, preferably in pine forests over 15 years old. The soil layer should maintain more than 30cm of humus content, improved by burying pine needles and broadleaf bark, etc. Keep the forest closure between 60%-70%, and set up shade nets to adjust the intensity of scattered light.
Fungus culture process
Use the improved PDA medium: peeled potatoes 200g + glucose 20g + agar 20g + pine needle extract 1L. Wild fungus strains need to be treated with high-temperature sterilization, selecting mother bodies with intact caps and thick stems, wrapped in sterile white paper with root soil. Maintain a constant temperature of 25°C after inoculation, completing mycelium expansion in 7 days.
Ecological field management
Use a seeding method mixing mycelium with crushed pine needles, with 1.5kg of spawn substrate per square meter. Prohibit the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers throughout the process, adjusting humidity with a pine needle mulch layer. Promptly dredge drainage ditches after heavy rain, continuously monitoring the density of mycelium growth, and supplementing the pine needle nutrient layer when dense white silk nets appear.
High-yield and efficiency improvement plan for Lactarius deliciosus
After the first harvest, retain a 5cm spawn base, supplemented with pine needle extract nutrient solution. Using an intermittent harvesting method, it is possible to achieve 3-4 harvests per season, with an output of 800-1200 jin per mu. Experimental data show that using a mixed matrix of pine needles and rice hulls can increase the mushroom yield by 35%, and the diameter of the mushroom caps can increase by 20%.
From laboratory to field practice, the artificial planting technology of Lactarius deliciosus has formed a complete system. Through simulating the native environment, optimizing the quality of spawn, and innovating field management, this "mountain delicacy" can achieve stable production throughout the four seasons. Mastering the precise control points of temperature, light, water, and air, the economic value of pine forests will usher in a new growth point.