Lion's mane mushroom mycelium
Mycelium of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's mane) – mycelium for outdoor and indoor cultivation
The Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion's mane, is a highly sought-after gourmet and medicinal mushroom for its unique texture and refined culinary uses. It forms white structures resembling "puffs" and is valued for both cooking and its nutritional properties.
Its mycelium is an excellent growing base and can be used as seed to inoculate outdoor substrates (hardwood, stumps, chips) or for controlled fruiting indoors.
At Les 400 Pieds de Champignon, our lion's mane blocks are designed for simple and effective use in home cultivation or natural propagation.
Outdoor propagation (recommended method)
The mycelium of Hericium erinaceus can be used as seed to inoculate hardwood balls or wooded areas. This method allows for a slow but sustainable installation, with potential harvests over several years.
Use as outdoor seed
Recommended materials
- Hardwood balls or logs (maple, beech, birch)
- Untreated wood chips
- Shady and humid area
- Lion's mane mycelium block
Steps
Prepare the site
Choose a very shady, cool, and humid spot, ideally near a wooded area.
Prepare the substrate
Use fresh logs or slightly damp hardwood chips.
Inoculation (seed)
Break the mycelium block into small pieces and insert it between the logs or mix it with the chips.
Cover and protect
Lightly cover with chips or mulch to maintain humidity and protect the mycelium.
5) Keep moist
Water as needed to keep a constant humidity without saturating the substrate.
Results
The mycelium slowly colonizes the wood and can produce mushrooms after several months, sometimes seasonally for several years.
Indoor culture in direct fruiting
Hericium erinaceus (Lion's mane)
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Thermal shock: 24 hours at 4 °C
- Fruiting temperature: 17 to 21 °C
- Primordia formation: 7 to 14 days
- Time before harvest: 5 to 10 days
- Humidity: 90%
Fruiting guidelines
1) Block preparation
When the mycelium is fully colonized and ready to fruit, place the block in the refrigerator for 24 hours at 4 °C to stimulate mushroom production.
Using a clean, sharp knife, cut a slit about 3 cm on the side of the bag. Then fold the bag to eliminate the trapped air behind the block.
2) Maintain humidity
Mist the exposed surface 2 to 3 times a day to maintain high humidity until the primordia (small white formations) appear.
3) Development and harvest
When the small mushrooms start to form, they will be ready to harvest in 5 to 10 days.
Maintain stable humidity throughout growth to achieve a nice dense and well-white formation.
Harvest when the "teeth" start to elongate but before they turn yellow.
Important notes
- A block can produce 3 to 4 harvests.
- Always water the same incision after the first opening.
- Subsequent harvests are generally smaller than the first.
- Harvest by cutting or gently detaching the mass at the base.
- Maintain good air circulation to avoid deformation.
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