GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

GROWTH PARAMETERS 361
Figure 323—324. Antler formation of Ganoderma lucidum is controlled by the carbon dioxide of the prevailing
environment. (ATCC# 52412)
Rapid Cycle System for Indoor Cultivation: A unique combination of variables can orchestrated
to effect fruitbody formation. The indoor method I have developed calls for spawn inoculation
onto a 50:50 (by volume) hardwood sawdust/wood chip mixture incubated in polyethylene space
bags. For 3-4 days, the hardwood (alder/oak) wood chips are soakedlfermented in molasses enriched
water (50 ml. molasses/S gallons water). After soaking, the 17.50 x 8.25 x 4.75 in. bags are filled to 3
lbs. wet weight. The bags are then sterilized for 2 hours at 15 psi. Upon cooling the bags are opened
within a clean room. Grain or sawdust spawn is distributed equally into each bag. The bags are exposed
to the airstream from a laminar flow bench, causing partial inflation. Directly thereafter, the
bags are heat sealed. The bags appear domed or inflated. In effect, an idealized, positive pressurized,
humidified environment is created. Slow gas exchange occurs through the semipermeable
microporous filter media patch.
Colonization is usually complete in 14-21 days at 750 F. (24° C.). Thirty to forty days after inoculation,
the first mushrooms begin to emerge from the rough micro-topography of the sawdust/chip
media. The emerging fruiting bodies are whitish to golden yellow in color and apically triangular in
shape. Growth is slow, yet noticeable from day to day. The tongue-like formations yellow with age,
and becoming progressively more reddish brown towards the base. By day 50 they have often
achieved 4 inches in length, are branched, having arisen from multiple sites on the surface plane of the
wood chip media. Frequently, these antler-stalks seek out the filter patch and become attached to it.
Once the desired height of stalk formation has been achieved, the environment must be altered so as to
proceed to the final stage. If the cultivator does not expose these emerging antlers to near-natural atmospheric
conditions, the opportunity for conk development will soon be lost.
For the previous two months, the entire growth cycle has occurred within the environment of the
sealed plastic bag, wherein carbon dioxide and other gases exist in relatively high concentrations. Although
the filter patch allows the slow diffusion of gases, it acts as a barrier to free air exchange. Often
the interior plenum has carbon dioxide levels exceeding 20,000 ppm or 2%. Once the bag is opened,
and a free rate of gas exchange prevails, carbon dioxide levels drop to near normal levels of 350 ppm
or .035%. This sudden change in carbon dioxide levels is a clear signal to Ganoderina lucidum that
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