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 jc_illenium
undesirable
Registered: 01/21/05
Posts: 189
Loc: earth
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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 what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it.
#3768324 - 02/11/05 07:31 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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i want to make my own high quality compost, how many ways are there?
are the ingredient generally all the same? besides dirt? i like dirt, dont get me wrong 
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on my knees and burnin
my piss and moans the fuel that
set my head on fire
smell my soul its burnin
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penlight438094
1 spliff 16.1g +1 man alone =Blitzed!
Registered: 10/01/04
Posts: 933
Last seen: 24 days, 16 hours
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: jc_illenium]
#3768404 - 02/11/05 07:46 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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dirt?
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Grown on Uncle Ben's 5 Minute Rice
Looks nice, Think again, read and see http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3576624/an/0/page/0
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 Baby_Hitler
Anarcho-Technologist
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 18,433
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 25 seconds
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: jc_illenium]
#3768483 - 02/11/05 08:00 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Composting is serious science. You need to learn about Carbon:Nitrogen ratios, what temperature to incubate at, and how not to get anerobic spots in your compost, or when to get them and how.
Paul Stamets' first book "The Mushroom Cultivator has a good section on composting.
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 agar
old hand
Registered: 11/21/04
Posts: 9,056
Loc: Somewhere Else
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: jc_illenium]
#3768503 - 02/11/05 08:05 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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The preparation of mushroom compost is usually done in two stages. The breakdown of raw ingredients begins in Phase I. Phase I is characterized by building the raw ingredients into long rectangular piles approximately 2 m high called "ricks" or "windrows". These stacks are then periodically turned, watered, and formed. This phase is essentially a microbiological process resulting in release of energy and heat.
To favor the development of relatively high temperatures, aerobic conditions are maintained by aerating the compost during repeated mixing or turning. Temperature fluctuations during this phase are paralleled by similar changes in the numbers of thermophilic (heat loving) bacteria. These organisms start to grow rapidly and release energy in the form of heat. Thermogenesis by microorganisms initiates the heating of Phase I and also produces heat in Phase II.
The internal temperature of a compost pile can reach up to 80oC. Traditional Phase I composting lasts from 7 to 14 days depending on the condition of the material at the start and its characteristics at each turn. It is considered complete when the raw ingredients have become pliable and are capable of holding water. The odor of ammonia should be sharp, and the color of the compost is dark-brown in color, indicating caramelization and browning reactions have occurred.
It is primarily the control of the environment that distinguishes Phase II from Phase I. Typically, compost is loaded into wooden trays, which are stacked, and then placed in specially designed rooms where the environmental conditions can be manipulated. Phase II is commonly referred to as peak-heating and may be initiated by steam. Pasteurization is accomplished early in the Phase II operation and is necessary to kill many insects, nematodes, and other pests or pathogens that may be present in the compost.
Pasteurization requires air and compost temperatures of 66oC for a minimum of 2 hours. Once pasteurization is accomplished, cool air is introduced into the Phase II room to assure adequate oxygen, and to help dissipate ammonia. An important function of Phase II microbes that survive the pasteurization process is the conversion of residual ammonia into protein. Because ammonia is lethal to the mushroom mycelium, it must be removed by the end of Phase II.
A stage is reached when the available food supplies for organisms inhabiting the compost become quite limiting, hence their activity decreases. The substrate is now set for spawning, and the substrate is said to be 'selective' for the growth of mushrooms. Once the odor of ammonia is no longer present, Phase II is over and the compost temperature can be dropped to 24oC for the addition of any type grain spawn. Completed compost should have a C/N ratio of around 17 to 1, with N in the area of 2.6.
Initially raw compost will have an alkaline pH. When mature and ready for inoculation the pH should be between 7.0 and 8.0. As the mushroom and mycelium grows there will be a drop of pH from the excreted metabolites until the pH reaches 5.0-5.5 at which time mushroom production will generally cease.
CUBENSIS COMPOST
carbon / nitrogen ratio <17:1, nitrogen 2.6%, phosphorus 0.2-05%, potassium 1.5-2.5%, calcium 1.5-2.5%, available boron <2 ppm, available ammonium <10 ppm, soluble salts 3.0-5 OdS/m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I. Guidelines for calculating pre/compost nitrogen (N) content:
Calculate the starting N content of pile to be 1.5 to 1.7% before composting. The starting N for a synthetic compost formulas may be slightly higher than the wheat straw horse manure formulas. The percent N will increase throughout Phase I composting and Phase II and at spawning time the N content of the compost should be 2.1-2.6 %.
Knowing the N and % moisture of the bulk ingredients and supplements will increase the accuracy of the calculated and finished nitrogen content. If supplements are added by volume, occasionally weigh volume added to confirm calculated formula.
At the end of Phase I and again at the end of Phase II, compost may be analyzed for N, ammonia, ash and moisture. It is important to take a representative samples, several small handfuls thoroughly mixed. When taking a sample do not shake the compost.
II. Examples of Mushroom Compost Formulas
Horse manure pile
Ingredients Wet Wt. Dry Wt. %N Tons N
Horse manure 80 T 50 T 1.2% 0.6 T
Poultry manure 7.5 T 6.0 T 4 % 0.24 T
Brewers Grains 2.5 T 2.5 T 4 % 0.1 T
Gypsum 1.25 T 1.25 T 0 0
59.75 T 0.94 ? 59.75 = 1.57%
Synthetic pile
Ingredients Wet Wt. Dry Wt. %N Tons N
Hay 15 T 12.8 T 2.0 % 0.26 T
Cobs 15 T 12.8 T 0.3 % 0.04 T
Poultry manure 3.8 T 2.4 T 4 % 0.09 T
NH4NO3 0.3 T 0.3 T 32% 0.10 T
Potash 0.3 T 0.3 T 0.0 0.00
Gypsum 0.6 T 0.6 T 0.0 0.00
29.2 T 0.49 ? 29.2 = 1.68%
Horse manure-synthetic blend
Ingredients Wet Wt. Dry Wt. %N Tons N
Horse manure 15 T 10.5 T 1.2% 0.13
Hay 7.5 T 6.3 T 1.1% 0.07
Corn Cobs 7.5 T 6.4 T 0.3% 0.02
Brewer's grains 3.0 T 3.0 T 4.0% 0.12
Poultry manure 2.0 T 2.0 T 4.5% 0.09
Urea 0.1 T 0.1 T 44.0% 0.06
Potash 0.2 T 0.2 T 0.0% 0.00
Gypsum 1.0 T 1.0 T 0.0% 0.00
29.5 0.49 ? 29.5 = 1.66%
III. Suggested watering procedures during composting:
Add as much water as possible without run off during pre-wet conditioning or during the first two turns. Avoid adding too much water early during Phase I, always be able to control moisture. Add only enough during next turn or turns to wet dry spots. Bring up compost moisture to desired water content by adequate watering just before filling.
During pre-wet it is advisable to flip or turn the compost every day. After the rick or pile is built, the compost should be turn every other day unless pile temperatures have not peaked.
IV. Changes in organic matter, carbohydrates and nitrogen during mushroom composting.
Soluble carbohydrates are simply adsorbed by the micro-organisms and it is converted into new living matter or provides energy for the cells. As these micro-organism grow energy in the form of heat is released.
As the pile heats to temperature above 150o F the activities occurring within the pile change from biological to chemical reactions. It is at these higher temperatures that carmelization takes place. Carmelization is the process where water is eliminated from the carbohydrates and carbon is concentrated. This process can be compared to boiling sap down to make maple sugar.
V. Phase I is considered complete when as soon as the raw ingredients become pliable and are capable of holding water, the odor of ammonia is sharp and the dark brown color indicates carmelization and browning reactions have occurred.
Moisture content at filling should be 70-73%. Water should drip from compost squeezed in the hand. But a good rule of thumb to follow is: the longer, greener or more coarse the compost then more moisture it can take. The shorter, more mature or dense the compost the less water it should have.
The shorter or wetter the compost, the more loosely it should be filled into the beds or trays. The longer or greener the compost, the more it can be firmed into the beds. Attempt to fill uniformly in both depth and compaction. Edges or sideboards should be packed slightly tighter, whereas the center should remain looser.
VI. Phase II composting has two objectives:
Pasteurization - elimination of undesirable insect pest, microbes and pathogens.
Conditioning - Creation of specific food for the mushroom and creating a selective and suppressive compost to favor the growth of the mushroom.
VII. Insure adequate ventilation during Phase II. When in doubt, ventilate. A flame should be burn at all times.
The higher the nitrogen content of compost, the greener the compost or the more dry weight at filling time, the greater the ventilation required. When outside temperature is high as in summer or early fall, more ventilation is required than when Phase II occurs during the cold winter weather. This is especially important when the grower does not have a forced air ventilation system.
VIII. During Phase II keep compost in the temperature range where microorganisms grow best (115-140o F).
Microbes convert ammonia and ammonia containing salts into protein and other nitrogen compounds the mushroom uses for food. The growth of these microbes depends on having the available food, adequate moisture, sufficient oxygen and suitable temperature. A shortage of one of these requirements will limit growth and often results in incomplete conditioning.
IX. Heat up (pasteurization) for insect kill early in Phase II (perhaps 1-4 days after filling) so as to avoid a second heating cycle of the compost.
A good indication that the compost is ready to pasteurized, is the subsiding of microbial activity, which is indicated by a decrease in compost temperature at the same air temperature.
X. After pasteurization slowly lower compost through the temperature ranges of the microorganisms. A general rule is to lower compost temperature no more than 4-5o F. per day.
Provided that enough food, water and oxygen the microbes will continue to grow. Different microbes use different compounds and grow at different temperatures. Therefore it is important to make sure all areas of the beds and room gradually drop through all temperatures ranges.
Thermophillic fungi grow at lower temperatures and are important because they are able to grow into denser areas of compost.
XI. Composting is considered compete when no trace of ammonia odor can be detected and the compost has a uniform flecking of white colonies of actinomycetes, called fire-fang. The N content on a dry wt. basis should be in the range of 2.0 to 2.6.
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Edited by agar (02/11/05 08:11 PM)
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jc_illenium
undesirable
Registered: 01/21/05
Posts: 189
Loc: earth
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: agar]
#3768535 - 02/11/05 08:11 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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nevermind 
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on my knees and burnin
my piss and moans the fuel that
set my head on fire
smell my soul its burnin
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penlight438094
1 spliff 16.1g +1 man alone =Blitzed!
Registered: 10/01/04
Posts: 933
Last seen: 24 days, 16 hours
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: jc_illenium]
#3768624 - 02/11/05 08:28 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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i love it when agar does that 
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Grown on Uncle Ben's 5 Minute Rice
Looks nice, Think again, read and see http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3576624/an/0/page/0
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jc_illenium
undesirable
Registered: 01/21/05
Posts: 189
Loc: earth
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: penlight438094]
#3768819 - 02/11/05 09:18 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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where did you get that..im gonna kill you lloyd.im gonna throw this damn curse, right in that damn pond! dont do anything foolish harry. FOOLISH! FOOLISH LLOYD! EGHGHGH HARRY! YOUR HANDS ARE FREEZING>
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on my knees and burnin
my piss and moans the fuel that
set my head on fire
smell my soul its burnin
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Baby_Hitler
Anarcho-Technologist
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 18,433
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 25 seconds
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#3768825 - 02/11/05 09:19 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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That's what you call "Advanced".
For a simpler answer, you might try the Mushroom Cultivation forum.
I looked, and couldn't find a good thread on composting small amounts (less than a cubic yard).
I'd like to have one for the archives. If anyone knows of one, please let me know.
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Roadkill
Mycologist/Fisherman
Registered: 12/11/01
Posts: 20,912
Loc: PNW
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 Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: agar]
#3769798 - 02/12/05 01:48 AM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Bro,
I think you scared him off from trying to make his own compost.
Nice post!~
lolzz
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Laterz, Road
When the power of Love overcomes the Love of power, then the world will know Peace.
-Jimi Hendrix
Brainiac said:
PM the names with on there names, that means they have mushrooms for sale.
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Baby_Hitler
Anarcho-Technologist
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 18,433
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 25 seconds
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: Roadkill]
#3770792 - 02/12/05 12:13 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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We need a good recipe, or set of guidelines for making compost that starts out:
"First... get a bucket."
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RRhoads
Etheno/cologyStudent
Registered: 10/26/04
Posts: 725
Loc: Somewhere out in nowhere
Last seen: 2 days, 12 hours
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#3770827 - 02/12/05 12:30 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Just buy some
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Baby_Hitler
Anarcho-Technologist
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 18,433
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 25 seconds
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: RRhoads]
#3770881 - 02/12/05 12:45 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Life is like a bag of store bought compost...
You just never know what you're gonna get.
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jc_illenium
undesirable
Registered: 01/21/05
Posts: 189
Loc: earth
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#3770915 - 02/12/05 12:57 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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and then...
would you like fries with that?
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on my knees and burnin
my piss and moans the fuel that
set my head on fire
smell my soul its burnin
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jc_illenium
undesirable
Registered: 01/21/05
Posts: 189
Loc: earth
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Re: what is mushroom compost made of, and how can i make it. [Re: jc_illenium]
#3770927 - 02/12/05 01:00 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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hows the compost from shroomeries sponsor?
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on my knees and burnin
my piss and moans the fuel that
set my head on fire
smell my soul its burnin
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