Timeframe: 15-20 days from bud appearance to fruiting body maturity (some mature in 10-12 days under suitable conditions).
1. Maturity Standards
General sign: White fruiting body, rough spines, initial spore ejection (thin white powder on mushroom sac surface).
Harvest maturity by use:
Culinary use (fresh/canned/salted): Harvest when spines ≤ 0.5 cm (before massive spore release); fruiting body: white, firm, tender, crisp, fresh flavor, little/no bitterness.
Medicinal use: Harvest at moderate maturity (spines ~1 cm long).
2. Harvesting Methods
Knife cutting: Cut fruiting body at bag base (along inoculation port); avoid cutting plastic bag (prevents bacterial contamination) and not cutting entire base (allows regeneration).
Twisting & pulling: Hold bag with one hand, grip entire fruiting body with the other; gently twist then pull outward (faster method).
Post-harvest handling: Place in containers with smooth interior (plastic/bamboo/plastic buckets); handle carefully to avoid crushing (prevents appearance damage and commercial value loss).