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Reishi / Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum) Reishi
mushrooms have a long history in oriental medicine
for their beneficial effects. The mature mushroom is
hard and woody and it has a bitter taste due its medicinal ingredients.
It is generally used in small quantities to make tea or soup but it can also be
ground up and mixed into other foods. The
Reishi mushroom kit we ship is made up of hardwood chips, sawdust, organic wheat
bran and a small quantity of crushed limestone and gypsum. It is totally
chemical and additive free. The block will be totally white from the mycelium
which has grown through the chips/sawdust mix. This mycelium is your mushroom
organism and with the proper care and stimuli it will produce the " fruits
"or mushrooms. Reishi is a slow-growing mushroom and will take several
months under the proper conditions to reach full size. To
provide the stimuli necessary for mushroom “fruiting” follow these steps: 1.
Leave the kit in its original bag, undisturbed, at room temperature,
for 2-3 days to recover from shipping. After this initial resting period
the kit needs to be soaked overnight in cold water (do not use chlorinated
water, but if you have to, let the water stand for a few days to dissipate the
chlorine). You can do this by opening the top of the bag and filling the bag
with water in your sink. Alternatively, take the bag off completely and place
the block in a bucket or sink filled with water with a weight on top to hold it
underwater as the block tends to float. 2.
This kit must be kept in a high humidity environment (70-85% RH). This
can be achieved by using the perforated bag and the wooden dowels as per the
drawing. Remove the block from the
original plastic bag and insert the dowels around the
top in an arrangement that will hold the perforated bag in a tent-like position
over the block. The dowels should be inserted about 1-2 inches into the top of
the block, one in the middle and the other 3 around the top perimeter at a
slight angle out. It is important to arrange the dowels so that the bag does not
touch the block. Place the block with the dowels in the perforated bag so that
the bag forms a tent over the block. To keep the humidity high you should mist
the block with water at least
a couple of times per day. Place the kit on a tray or pie plate large enough to
protect the surface of the table or floor because water will condense on the
inside of the bag and drip down. Please note that the block of mycelium needs to
“breathe” and the perforations
in the bag will allow an exchange of gases. The mushrooms require some light,
but not direct sunlight as it is too strong. A shady corner, or a
florescent bulb will provide adequate light. The optimum temperature range for
the kit is 18-30EC (70-85EF). 3.
Be patient as this mushroom grows quite slowly. Mushroom production
begins when small white “bumps” form on the side of the block. After a few
weeks the colour of these bumps will change into a golden brown colour and the
characteristic ‘conch’ shape of Reishi will begin to form. If the
ventilation is restricted the mushroom will develop into the ‘antler’ form.
It will take a few months for full development. A fine light brown dust on
and/or around the mushroom is a sign of spore production indicating maturity.
You can pick the fruiting body at this point by cutting it off the block, or you
can let it grow to a larger size before harvesting. Reishi
is a hard, woody polypore and will not rot.
4.
Unlike other kits, Reishi kits will normally only produce one crop. You
may be able to get more mushrooms by burying the block in a shady area under a
bush in your back yard. 5.
After the kit is finished you can break it up and it will make an
excellent soil conditioner for your potted plants. The
mushroom should be air dried and stored in a sealed container.
Use small quantities in preparations (tea or soup).
For optimum effect use on a daily basis. Two excellent books on the
medicinal properties of this mushroom can be obtained from us: Reishi
Mushroom, Herb of Spiritual and Medical Wonder
by Terry Willard CDN$ 28.00 Medicinal
Mushrooms by Christopher Hobbs
......... CDN$ 25.50
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