Truffle Growing
Brief description of the fungus, its features growth
Truffle is a marsupial mushroom. It has a tuberous shape fruit body, it is also fleshy, and grows under land at a depth of 10-20 centimeters. Truffle has plenty varieties. The main place for their growth is the South Forest France, Northern Italy. However, these mushrooms are found in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and even in Central Asia.
This mushroom is saprophyte. Mycorrhiza is formed by him with the roots of oak and beech, and it receives food from the organic substances which are in soil. In most cases, the fruit body has an abnormal flattened shape. In the context of such a mushroom a bit like potatoes, or has a marble look. There are streaks having colorless rims. The truffle is bag-shaped, in which are spherical spores and stupid spikes. However, not everyone type of truffle is suitable for eating. Highest value represents black French as well as white Piedmontese truffle. For Russia, one type of truffle is typical – summer. To search for such Mushrooms are used by specially trained dogs and pigs. Occasionally you can find the truffle on your own if it is located under leaves.
For black (winter) truffle is characteristic roundly tuberous shape of the fruiting body having an uneven black or a dark gray surface. The size of such truffles may be the most varied – from walnut to medium apple. Fruit body has a reddish hue of pulp, which after full ripening the mushroom acquires a purple-black color. For this mushroom characteristic strong aroma and delicate taste.
Edible mushrooms contain substances inherent not only plants, but also animals. However, the exact percentage cannot be called the ratio of certain substances, since it is unstable, and depends on various conditions. Therefore, with an increase in interest the content of animal substances in mushrooms, they become poisonous.
Site selection and preparation
Black truffle is usually grown in groves with oaks, hornbeams, nuts and beeches. Only on the roots of these trees can a mushroom form mycorrhiza. Allowed to use natural or specially cultivated groves. Also for growing Truffles require a warm climate because they cannot tolerate severe frosts, no high temperatures. Therefore ideal for truffle cultivation will have a climate with mild winters and non-hot in the wet summer. It’s important to remember that truffles can grow only in calcareous soil, which should be of high quality drain, and have a good set of nutrients.
During the artificial cultivation of these mushrooms special plantations, and soil characteristic of truffles natural habitat.
The choice of a place under the trees is also important, because they should not exposed to extreme weather events. Besides Moreover, such trees should grow far from other trees, and to they should not have access to various animals. Important is also checking soil acidity. At home, this is done. as follows – a soil sample is placed in a container, then there white vinegar is added. If the mixture produces a slight hiss, then the truffle will not grow in such soil, an increase in the level is required alkalinity. To this end, lime is added to the ground. But only after that trees are planted.
Sowing mycelium
The mycelium must be brought in together with the earth, which was delivered from truffle’s natural habitat. For this a mycelium is dug up with a depth of 10-15 centimeters, and placed near the trees. In addition, it can be broken completely ripened mushroom, and scatter next to the roots of seedlings of trees. On the today are already available for sale hazel seedlings, to which grafted spores of truffles. Mushroom picker replanted in late summer or at the beginning of the autumn period.
Growing and harvesting
The main care for growing truffles is to prepare a plot for their growth. On earth should not be various shrubs, and even more so other mushrooms. Also care should be taken that no one trample this plot of land. The first crop should be expected 5-7 years after planting seedlings. Duration of fruiting is about 25-30 years old. Truffle fruit bodies are often located in nests. 3-7 pieces together. After they mature, the land above them becomes slightly elevated, and the grass dries. In case of occurrence of such signs, you can begin to start harvesting. In most Cases of truffles ripen in the fall and harvest before the start of winter. Each mushroom should be wrapped in parchment, and placed in dry rice. This allows you to save moisture in the mushrooms. Also you should refuse to completely clear them from the ground, since this protects them from loss of taste and the appearance of microorganisms. Mushrooms should be kept in a cold place.
