Reishi(ganoderma Lucidum Or Lingzhi)

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) Reishi is a mushroom with the most medicinal effects reported until now. In the Far East it is also called mushroom of immortality and is placed among the best traditional medicines. Japanese book Shinnoh Honsokyo treats it as a “topmost medicine”, otherwise it is considered to be the “plant of God”. It was proven that reishi has antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity, it levels blood pressure and sugar, lowers cholesterol level, boosts immune system and reduces stress. It has a positive effect on kidneys and liver. Reishi can be used in form of teas, tinctures or extracts. Fruiting bodies can range in color from yellow, orange, red to dark brown color.

Cultivation on wood It can be cultivated on wood inoculated with plug or grain spawn. When mycelium completely colonizes the wood logs can be partially buried into sandy soil to maintain proper moisture content for fruiting bodies formation and development. Fruiting bodies grow slow taking few weeks to mature, those found in nature are often few years old. If carbon dioxide concentration in air surrounding the mushroom is too high fruiting bodies tend to stretch, resembling a hand with fingers stretched upwards. This form of mushroom is very sought after because it is rare in nature and is said to possess special medicinal powers.

Growth parameters for reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) Substrate colonization temperature

21 - 27 oC optimal, slower at lower temperatures

light

not needed

duration

6 - 24 months on wood

Primordia formation temperature

14 - 27 oC (strain dependent)

relative humidity>

>95 - 100 %>

duration

16 - 27 days

light>

diffuse light necessary

Mushroom formation temperature

16 - 27 oC, strain dependent

relative humidity

90 - 95 %

duration

60 days

light

necessary (no direct sunlight!)

Wood types appropriate for reishi cultivation: oak, maple, elm, willow, magnolia, plum, robinia. Conifers are not appropriate for reishi cultivation.