Hericium Erinaceus Substrate - Lion's Mane
The Hericium Erinaceus Substrate - Lion's Mane allows you to easily cultivate these extraordinary medicinal mushrooms inside the Grow Box. Simply make a few cuts in the packaging and place the block inside the device. A mushroom with remarkable neuro-regenerative properties can now be cultivated at home without complex sterilization procedures or mixing mycelium and growth medium. But let's discover its characteristics together now!
Basics
Class: Basidiomycetes
Scientific name: Hericium Erinaceus
Common names: Lion's Mane - Yamabushitake - White Pom Pom
Characteristics
Fruiting body: Pure white in color, tending to yellowish with age, globose or elongated in shape, covered with long, pendulous spines (up to 5-6 cm) that give it the appearance of a mane.
Spines: Long, pendulous, white, soft and fleshy, arranged in tufts all over the fruiting body.
Stem: Absent or very reduced, the mushroom grows directly attached to the substrate.
Flesh: White, tender and succulent when young, becomes tougher with age.
Spores: White in mass, smooth, spherical, 5-7 x 4-5 µm.
Natural Habitat
Hericium Erinaceus is a parasitic and saprophytic mushroom that grows on dying or dead hardwood trees, particularly oak, beech, walnut, and maple. In nature, it is found in Europe, Asia, and North America, mainly in temperate forests. It is a rather rare species in the wild, but today with the grow-box you can cultivate it fresh directly at your home!
Cultivation Requirements
Temperature: 20-25°C for mycelial growth, 18-22°C for fruiting
Humidity: 70-80% during colonization, 85-95% during fruiting
Tips
- Growth Stages: Hericium has two main phases: substrate colonization and fruiting. The colonization phase is slower compared to other species.
- Ventilation: Essential to prevent excessive moisture on the spines, which could cause yellowing. Good air circulation promotes the development of compact fruiting bodies.
- Substrate: Prefers substrates rich in cellulose and lignin, such as hardwood sawdust. Our substrate is already optimized for this species.
- Light: Requires indirect light to stimulate fruiting and the development of the characteristic white color. The Grow Box provides the right lighting!
- pH: Prefers a slightly acidic pH (5.5-6.5). You don't need to worry about this parameter with our ready-to-use substrate.
- Thermal Shock: Does not require thermal shock to fruit. Maintaining constant temperatures is crucial for optimal development.
- Humidity Cycles: Maintaining consistently high humidity is crucial for the development of the characteristic long spines.
- Contamination: It is quite resistant to contamination, but yellow or orange spots indicate stress or aging. Harvest before the spines turn completely yellow.
- Adaptation: It adapts well to domestic conditions but is sensitive to humidity fluctuations which can compromise the quality of the harvest.
- Constant Monitoring: The Grow Box allows you to keep the essential parameters under control to obtain a high-quality product directly at home!
Organoleptic Properties
Hericium Erinaceus has a delicate flavor reminiscent of crab or lobster, with a tender and fibrous texture. The smell is light and pleasant, slightly sweet. It works magnificently when sautéed, grilled, in soups, or as a seafood substitute in various culinary preparations.
Nutritional Properties
From a nutritional standpoint, Lion's Mane contains about 22% protein, 6% fat, and 60% carbohydrates, plus minerals such as potassium, zinc, iron, and selenium. But its fame is mainly linked to its remarkable medicinal properties: it contains ericenones and erinacines, unique compounds that stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), promoting the regeneration and protection of nerve cells.
Scientific studies show that Hericium can improve cognitive functions, support memory, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune system support properties, in addition to contributing to gastrointestinal health by protecting the gastric mucosa.
