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 small-scale mushroom bed production facility
Allow us to show you the work process of a small-scale mushroom bed production facility, from producing mushroom beds to growing them.
Agitation of growing medium
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Mixer -
The first step is to add water and nutrients such as bran to the raw materials, namely fine sawdust and coarse chips of hardwood, and agitate the growing medium until it is evenly mixed. We have a variety of products that are large enough for us to mix the growing medium for about 50 to 150 units of 2.5 kg mushroom beds at the same time. The moisture content is adjusted to about 60%.
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Video：Mixer
Move the growing medium to the bagging machine
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Manually -
The agitated growing medium from the mixer is moved to the bagging machine using a container.
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Video：Manually
Bagging
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Manual bagging machine -
(1) The pedal is stepped on to narrow the mounting port before setting the bag, then the pedal is released to fix the growing bag in place.
(2) About 2.5 to 3.0 kg of the growing medium agitated by the mixer is weighed and dropped from the upper feeding port.
(3) Force is applied from above using the press stick with inoculation holes for shaping.
(4) The lever is lowered, and the pedal is stepped on again to remove the growing medium.
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Video：Manual bagging machine
Sterilisation
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Steriliser -
The bagged growing medium is set up in a sterilisation container and set in the steriliser. After the lid is closed, the steriliser sterilises the growing medium with steam to make it sterile. The sterilisation process takes about 9 hours.
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Video：Steriliser
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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 normal air is always fed into the room. Explanation of machines (top: refrigerator, middle: air purification system, bottom: air damper)
Inoculation
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Inoculator (manual) -
(1) The sterilised growing medium and mushroom spawn are set in the inoculator.
(2) The mushroom spawn are crushed with an impact driver, then the sterilised growing medium bag is quickly opened, and mushroom spawn is inoculated. After inoculation, the bag is quickly closed to prevent germs from entering.
(3) The top of the bag is heat-sealed. *The inoculator is also equipped with an air-purifying filter that prevents germs from entering.
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Video：Inoculator (manual)
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Inoculator (semi-automatic) -
(1) The sterilised growing medium and mushroom spawn are set in the inoculator.
(2) The switch is pressed to inoculate the mushroom spawn.
(3) The top of the bag is heat-sealed. *The inoculator is also equipped with an air-purifying filter that prevents germs from entering.
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Video：Inoculator (semi-automatic)
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.
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
(English version)
Sun mush box
Sun mush box is a used refrigerated container that has been converted into a growing facility equipped with the necessary equipment for mushroom bed growing. Incidental equipment includes air conditioners, mobile growing shelves, lighting, and ventilation and circulation systems. This single box can grow about 2,500 units of 3 kg mushroom beds. It should be placed on a concrete foundation.
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Exterior
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One shelf
One shelf can hold 10 mushroom beds x 7 shelves x 2 rows = 140 mushroom beds.
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Inside of a container
18 shelves can be accommodated inside a container, and when harvesting mushrooms, the shelves are slid sideways and harvested in sequence.
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Harvesting
Our superior varieties have allowed us to harvest many high-quality mushrooms.
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Video：Sun mush box
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(English version)
