The Work Process of Growing High-Quality Japanese Mushrooms (Shiitake)
The following is an explanation of the work process of mushroom bed production facilities from mushroom bed production to growing them, divided into two categories: large-scale growing and small-scale growing.
Work process in a large-scale mushroom bed production facility
Allow us to show you the work process of a large-scale mushroom bed production facility, from producing mushroom beds to growing them.
Agitation of growing medium
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Mixer -
The raw materials and water are added, and the mixer is agitated until the growing medium is evenly mixed. The mixer has optional features such as an automatic opening and closing door that checks the amount of growing medium remaining in the bagging machine, an automatic drive unit that starts and stops the operation based on a timer, and a water sprinkler system.
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Video：Mixer
growing medium transfer
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Move on the conveyor -
Automatically transfer the growing medium agitated in the mixer to the bagging machine. Automatic transfer can be achieved by linking the mixer and the bagging machine.
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Video：Conveyor
Bagging of growing medium
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Fully automatic bagging machine -
Weigh the growing mediums transported by the conveyor, pack them into mushroom growing bags, shape them, and fully automatic transfer them to the bag folding machine.
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Video：Fully automatic bagging machine
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Bag folding machine -
Fold the bagged growing mediums, arrange them into sterilisation containers, and automatically transfer them to the sterilisation carts.
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Video：Bag folding machine
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Shelving machine -
Automatically load the growing medium in containers onto sterilisation carts.
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Video：Shelving machine
Sterilisation
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Autoclave -
Sterilisation carts loaded with growing medium are set in the autoclave. After the lid is closed, the growing medium is sterilised under high pressure in the autoclave to make it sterile. Sterilisation is performed at 120°C for about 60 minutes to achieve a sterile condition.
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Cleanroom -
The sterilised growing medium is cooled to about 20°C in the cleanroom. In the cleanroom, air intake is done through a filter, and the room is kept at class 10000 cleanliness to prevent germs from entering during inoculation.
Inoculation
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Transport of containers -
Sterilisation carts set up with a Transport of containers will automatically remove the containers and move them to the conveyor.
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Video：Transport of containers
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Fully automatic inoculation machine -
After inoculating the cooled sterilised growing medium in the cleanroom with mushroom spawn, the upper part of the bag is heat-sealed to prevent germs from entering, and the bag is transferred out of the cleanroom. By using this inoculation system, only one person is needed to work in the inoculation room.
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Video：Fully automatic inoculation machine
Incubation
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Incubation -
Mushroom beds taken out of the cleanroom are incubated in an incubation room or growing room. The number of days required for incubation depends on the mushroom variety.
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Video：Incubation
Contact Us
Under the branding of “Made in Japan”, we at Hokken contribute to the global Shiitake mushroom production with superior varieties and growing techniques.
We provide new entrants with comprehensive consulting services, starting from facility planning to Shiitake mushroom production and sales, to help them get their businesses on track. We also help existing Shiitake mushroom growers by providing consulting services regarding growing mushrooms according to their needs, such as improving quality and yield. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in growing Shiitake mushroom, or if you have any questions.
Click here to contact us. Hokken Company Profile
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