- Which mushroom cultivation book should I buy?
Paul Stamets and J.S.Chilton: The Mushroom Cultivator (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What is the point of each step in the recipe?
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read the getting started Q&A before reading this overview, otherwise it won't make sense! (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- Why do we boil the jars of substrate?
We boil the jars in order to sterilize them. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- How much spore suspension from my spore syringe should I use?
PF recommends using 1ml per jar, which, for 4 holes is 1/4 ml per hole. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What recipe should/can I use for PF cakes?
The basic PF recipe is 1/4 cup brown rice flour (measure the flour itself, not the brown rice if you grind it yourself), 1/2 cup vermiculite, and 60ml (4 tablespoons) of water. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What methods are there to inoculate PF jars?
PF jar ingredients, once sterilized properly, are completely sterilized inside the sealed jar. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- How long should the jars cool before inoculating?
You need to let the jars cool on their own, preferably for at least 6 hours, and hopefully overnight. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- Should I sterilize the needle, and how?
When you buy a syringe from a vendor, most vendors attempt to keep the needle as sterile as possible when they create the syringe. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What precautions should I be aware of when inoculating?
In the open air, you should take care to be as clean as possible, as the air itself contains contaminants which would love to colonize your lovely PF substrate and kick your mycelia's ass. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- Can I use coarse grade vermiculite for substrate?
Yes but the coarser type will hold a little less water (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- Can I mix different cubensis strains in a PF cake?
Yes, you can. But most likely one strain will prevail, so inoculate each jar with its own strain. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What are the optimum conditions under which to store the PF jars?
PF jars, like other colonizing jars, should be kept in a warm (75 - 85°F), dark place that is not too dry (target RH from 50% - 70% rh). (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What is too hot for incubation, and what happens to the jars?
Psilocybe cubensis mycelium has an ideal growth temperature at 86°F and a "thermal death temperature" at 106° (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- How can I speed up colonization of jars?
Maintain optimum parameters for colonization (temperature of around 80-84°F, humidity around 70%rH, proper substrate creation and inoculation) and the jars will colonize at an optimum rate. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- There's rust on the lids of my PF jars, is that okay?
Don't worry, a little rust won't do any harm. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- How come my jars started growing mycelia, but for some reason have stopped?
Mycelia can stop or slow to a halt for various reasons. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- How long does full colonization take?
Full colonization of a PF jar can take anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks, depending on your own factor (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What if I need to birth before the jar is fully colonized?
There are many reasons why you shouldn't birth a jar before it is fully colonized. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- Is condensation inside the incubating jars harmful?
To some extent water vapor condensing to small drops inside the jar is . (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What are those little brown/red dots pushing into the glass of the jar from the cake?
Those are pins, and are good things. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What if I can't get the cake out of the jar in one piece?
If you are growing from cakes, it is best to piece. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What if I can't get all the vermiculite seal off of the cake?
The vermiculite seal doesn't need to be totally removed. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What is "birthing," and how do I do it?
The term "birthing" refers to the removal of the fully colonized PF cake from its glass jar. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What is an easy way of humidifying my fruiting chamber?
Probably the easiest way is using a layer of moist perlite at the bottom of the fruiting chamber along with manual fanning several times a day. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
- What conditions are optimal for pin formation?
The relative humidity should be from 95%-100%, temperature between 70°F and 75°F, the fruiting chamber should be vented 2-3 times a day to displace the CO2, and they should receive a couple of hours of either indirect sunlight or fluorescent light. (01/01/90 12:00 AM)
