Ganoderma is prized in traditional Chinese medicine and long tied to legends of immortality. In Meizhou, Guangdong, the first batch of giant ornamental Ganoderma has reached harvest: 42 glossy, unfurling specimens as large as basins, the biggest measuring 85 cm across. These oversized Ganoderma are rare in China and hard to cultivate.

After more than four months of careful care, the greenhouse at the growing base now displays the full crop. The general manager says the success came from a 2024 collaboration with the local institute of microbiology. The science team funded strain materials and cultivation needs and guided key technical steps to bring the project to fruition.

What makes these giants special are their very large, heavy caps. They combine medicinal, ornamental and collectible value, and a single planting can yield harvests for three years, offering promising economic returns.