Morel Cultivation (holy grail) and Other mushroom Cultivation

Hi all, this thread appeared in search results and brought me to this site. I planted morel spawn (morchella importuna) in spring of this year, and I'm hopeful for good results. I'm using the layered bed technique from Tradd Cotter's Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation. I produce my own morel spawn.

I found an interesting article today, talking about "the mysteries" of Chinese morel cultivation. There is a claim that the spawn is applied to the top surface of the soil, allowed to colonize into the top layer a little ways, and then the spawn is "removed", forcing the stranded high-energy mycelium to keep pushing outward, seeking to establish itself and fruit ASAP as a survival strategy. https://plantpath.psu.edu/research/news/2017/china-trip-unveils-morel-cultivation-mysteries

Cotter's technique is to leave the spawn where it is. I'm thinking that good grain spawn will be attacked by bugs and pests and microbial competitors anyhow, creating the need for a similar survival strategy.

Cool discussion

Guillame, cheers to you, for an excellent tip in regards to the China patent office search function. (State Intellectual Property Office, or SIPO). I will just paste this here...

"
Method for cultivating morchella

Application Number 201310129134 Application Date 2013.04.15
Publication Number 103202177A Publication Date 2013.07.17
Priority Information
International
Classification A01G1/04
Applicant(s) Name Sichuan Chuanye Food Company Limited
Address
Inventor(s) Name Chen Wen;Wu Guangshun
Patent Agency Code 51214 Patent Agent wu panfeng
Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of morchella cultivation, and particularly relates to a method for cultivating morchella. The method is characterized by comprising steps of firstly, performing field preparation: spacing ridge compartments and ditching; secondly, sowing the morchella and wheat: broadcasting 75-150kg per mu of strains of the morchella on compartment surfaces, covering a soil layer on each compartment surface, applying compound fertilizers after the strains of the morchella are watered, broadcasting 2-5kg per mu of wheat on the compartment surfaces in 1-10 days after the compound fertilizers are applied, covering a sunshade net on the compartment surfaces, and watering the strains of the morchella and the wheat every 2-3 days; thirdly, applying morchella growth promoters: applying the morchella growth promoters in the compartment surfaces in 35-45 days after the wheat is sowed; fourthly, performing fruiting and harvesting field management for the morchella: shading and watering the strains of the morchella and the wheat; and fifthly, performing field management for the wheat: weeding and applying additional fertilizers. The width of each compartment surface ranges from 90cm to 110cm, the width of each ditch ranges from 30cm to 40cm, the depth of each ditch ranges from 20cm to 30cm, and the humidity of each compartment surface keeps within the range from 60% to 80% in the fourth step. The method has the advantages of low cost, high and stable yield, simplicity in operation and easiness in popularization.
"

I don't see any info regarding removal of the spawn. Nor, unfortunately, do I see a way to get more than the patent application abstract.

I'm wondering if "mu" above refers to a square meter.
"morchella growth promoters"?
"additional fertilizers"?

I've got some reading to do...