GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

362 GROWTH
cap development can begin.
In its natural habitat, this change is analogous
to the stalk emerging from the rich carbon
dioxide environment below ground level. Once
the CO2 sensitive stalk emerges into the open
air, the
spore producing lateral
cap develops. The caps form above the plateau
of the ground and orient towards directional
light. An indication of new growth is the depth
and prominent appearance of a white band
around the cap's edge. Under these conditions,
cap formation is rapid and the time of harvest is
usually indicated by the lack of new margin
growth and the production of rusty brown
spores. The spores, although released from below,
tend to accumulate on the upper plane of
the cap.
The cultivator has two alternatives for eliciting
conk development once antlers have begun
to form. The plastic bag can be left on or
stripped away from the mass of myceliurnl
wood chips/sawdust. If the protective plastic is
removed and a fog-like environment does not
prevail, massive evaporation will halt any fruitbody development. If the exposed block is maintained
in a fog-like environment
within the growing room,
vertical stalk growth slows or abates entirely and
the characteristic horizontal kidney-shaped
cap begins to differentiate. Like the stalk, the
margins of new growth are whitish while the
aged areas take on a shiny burgundy brown appearance.
Cultivators in Asia inoculate 1-2 liter cylindrical
bags or bottles,
narrowly closed at one
end and stopped with a cotton plug. Once Figure 325. Some strains will not form stems if
carbon dioxide is maintained at atmospheric levels.
White margin denotes new
inoculated,
the bags or bottles are stacked
horizontally in a wall-like fashion. After 30-60
days, depending upon the strain, inoculation
rate, and growing conditions, the cotton filters
are removed. The small opening channels CO2
stimulating stem elongation. This same opening
is also the only conduit for moisture loss.
From this portal, finger-like primordial shoots
growth.
Figure 326. When the plastic is removed, exposing
the mycelium, G. lucidum
will only form when a condensing
fog environment is maintained for a
prolonged period.
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