Coral hedgehog mushroom mycelium
Mycelium of Hericium coralloides – mycelium for outdoor and indoor cultivation
The Hericium coralloides, also known as coral mushroom, is a unique fungus that forms beautiful branched white structures resembling coral. Highly valued for its delicate texture and culinary interest.
Its mycelium is ideal as seed for inoculating hardwood, stumps, and outdoor substrates, or for controlled fruiting indoors.
At Les 400 Pieds de Champignon, our coral mushroom blocks are designed for simple and effective use, both for beginners and more advanced growers.
Outdoor propagation (recommended method)
The mycelium of Hericium coralloides can be used as seed to colonize hardwood blocks or wooded areas. This method allows for a slow but sustainable installation with possible harvests over several seasons.
Use as outdoor seed
Recommended materials
- Logs or hardwood blocks (maple, beech, birch)
- Untreated wood chips
- Shady and very humid area
- Coral mushroom mycelium block
Steps
1) Prepare the location
Choose a cool, very shady, and humid location, ideally in a forested or semi-wooded area.
2) Prepare the substrate
Use fresh logs or well-humidified hardwood chips.
3) Inoculation (seed)
Break the mycelium block into pieces and insert them between the logs or mix them with the chips to promote colonization.
4) Recouvrir et protéger
Lightly cover with mulch or chips to maintain humidity and protect the mycelium.
5) Keep moist
Water as needed to maintain constant humidity, without soaking the substrate.
Results
The mycelium slowly colonizes the wood and can produce mushrooms after several months, with fruiting possible over several years depending on the conditions.
Indoor culture in direct fruiting
Hericium coralloides (Coral mane)
- Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
- Thermal shock: 24 hours at 4 °C recommended
- Fruiting temperature: 16 to 21 °C
- Primordia formation: 7 to 14 days
- Time before harvest: 5 to 12 days
- Humidity: 90 to 95%
Fruiting guidelines
1) Block preparation
When the mycelium is ready to fruit, place the block in the refrigerator for 24 hours at 4 °C to stimulate mushroom formation.
Using a clean, sharp knife, cut a slit about 3 cm on the side of the bag. Then fold the bag behind the block to limit trapped air.
2) Maintain humidity
Spray the exposed surface 2 to 3 times a day to maintain high humidity until the primordia appear.
3) Development and harvest
Small white formations appear after a few days and continue to develop into branched structures.
Harvest generally between 5 and 12 days after appearance, before the color turns yellow.
Important notes
- A block can produce 3 to 4 harvests depending on the conditions.
- Always water the same opening after incision.
- Subsequent harvests are generally smaller than the first.
- Harvest by gently cutting the mass at the base.
- Maintain good air circulation to avoid deformation.
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