In the natural world, mushrooms are a common type of fungi that grow in various environments.

Understanding the growing environments and conditions of mushrooms is crucial for their cultivation and conservation.

This article will provide a detailed introduction to the growing environments and conditions of mushrooms to help readers better understand this field.

Let's start by understanding the classification of mushrooms. Mushrooms belong to the phylum Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, and order Agaricales within the fungal kingdom. There are various species of mushrooms classified based on different criteria. Among them, mushrooms can be divided into two major categories according to their growing environments: terrestrial mushrooms and aquatic mushrooms.

1. Terrestrial Mushrooms

Terrestrial mushrooms refer to mushrooms that grow on land.

These mushrooms typically form symbiotic relationships with trees, herbaceous plants, and other vegetation during their growth. They connect with the roots of plants through mycelium to obtain nutrients from the host plants. Therefore, terrestrial mushrooms usually grow in plant communities such as forests, grasslands, and gardens.

The growing conditions for terrestrial mushrooms include the following aspects:

- Temperature: The suitable temperature for the growth of terrestrial mushrooms is generally around 20°C. Within the appropriate temperature range, the growth rate of mushrooms will accelerate. Both excessively high and low temperatures can affect the growth rate and quality of mushrooms.

- Humidity: Mushrooms require a certain level of humidity. During the mycelial growth stage, soil humidity should be between 60% and 80%. During fruiting, the relative humidity of the air should be maintained between 80% and 90%. Inadequate humidity can affect the quality and yield of mushrooms, while excessive humidity can lead to diseases.

- Light: Terrestrial mushrooms generally grow in shady and humid environments, so they do not require much light. Excessive light can inhibit mushroom growth and even lead to mycelial death.

- Soil: Terrestrial mushrooms thrive in acidic soil rich in organic matter, with a pH generally ranging from 4.5 to 6.5. Soil aeration and drainage also affect mushroom growth.

2. Aquatic Mushrooms

Aquatic mushrooms refer to mushrooms that grow in water. This category includes mushrooms that grow on aquatic plants such as lotus roots and water chestnuts, as well as mushrooms that grow freely in water. The growing conditions for aquatic mushrooms include the following aspects:

- Temperature: The suitable temperature for the growth of aquatic mushrooms is generally around 20°C, similar to terrestrial mushrooms.

- Water quality: The water in which aquatic mushrooms grow should be fresh, unpolluted, and regularly replaced. The nutrient content in the water also affects the growth and quality of mushrooms.

- Light: Aquatic mushrooms require sufficient light for photosynthesis, so aquatic plants hosting mushrooms should be placed in sunny locations. However, excessive light can inhibit mushroom growth, so proper shading is necessary.

- pH value: Aquatic mushrooms thrive in neutral to slightly alkaline water, with a pH generally ranging from 6.5 to 7.5. Water with excessively acidic or alkaline pH levels can affect mushroom growth and quality.

In conclusion, understanding the growing environments and conditions of mushrooms is essential for their cultivation and conservation. In practical applications, it is necessary to choose suitable varieties and cultivation methods based on different environments and conditions to improve mushroom yield and quality.

Additionally, for the collection of wild mushrooms, understanding their growing environments and conditions is crucial to avoid blind harvesting, which may lead to ecological damage and resource waste.