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dexingsmotpoker
Stranger
Registered: 08/18/06
Posts: 31
Last seen: 15 years, 2 months
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Just a substrate question.
#11012354 - 09/06/09 11:20 PM (15 years, 4 months ago) |
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So I've read through the tech's and guides on here a handful of times over the years, and I've yet to tackle cultivation. I know that the standard Cube mix is simply Brown rice flour and Vermiculite. Well I wanted to try and spice things up and read around about some more nutritional mixes, not that it really matters or should be done seeing as it would be my first time. But after a scan of the few supermarkets we have in town, I have not been able to find Vermiculite. I'm sure it's possible to find.
So here's what I have at hand, and please, I know a lot of you guys are pro's on the subject but if you could please refrain from just saying, "just find vermiculite and use rice flour" I'm interested in trying something different.
So being on an extreme budget, here are the possible substrates I have:
Brown Rice Flour Quinoa perlite Peat moss
So here's what I was thinking about doing. Maybe substituting the vermiculite with peat moss, and possibly perlite seeing as it might be able to serve the same purpose (fluffy and moist substrate), have the bulk of the nutrients come from rice flour, and then suppliment it with some whole, washed quinoa, maybe give it a shot of pure hemp oil just for Kicks. Lol
I know you guys must get tired of noobs asking stupid substrate questions, but I'd like to have some experienced input on my idea, please.
Thank you shroomery!
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audiophoenix
Find Peace



Registered: 08/28/09
Posts: 4,107
Loc: Upstate NY
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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If you have a home depot or Lowe's in your area verm should be easy to come buy. It is in the section with miracle grow usually inside the store (not in the outdoor garden section) I too was struggling to find it at supermarkets or Wall-mart garden section but Lowe's has it for sure.
I have heard it over and over to not stray from anything the first time. Just follow directions exactly and then the next time try supplementing or innovating. But if you really can't find any Vermiculite then some type crushed lava rock for potting should do the trick i would think. As far as I know Vermiculite is there to keep the sub from packing too tightly and hold some moisture. I imagine that if you could find something to do the same it would work equally as well.
EDIT: If you are worried about a budget I paid 3.69 for my 9 quart bag of Vermiculite. You will use 1.5 quarts on 12 1/2 pint jars if I am doing my math right... that will be enough for about 5-6 batches. (5 if you use verm to dunk and roll)
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Edited by audiophoenix (09/06/09 11:36 PM)
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tictactone
Stranger
Registered: 08/30/09
Posts: 102
Last seen: 15 years, 28 days
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i dont think perlite would work its pretty much little rocks and used to keep rh levels up because it doesnt absorb water, but i'm a noob to this too lol...you could use wild bird seed, manure, read through the teks theres a lot of options thats what i did to get started. as for vermiculite, you wont find it at a super market, try walmart, home depot, lowes, true value, anything with a garden section. i used brown rice flour and verm and it was cheap and easy...a bag of verm got me 24 jars, 6 dunk and rolls (well the roll part of it anyway), and 2 casings, all for about $6. if youre looking for something cheap wild bird seed is super cheap.
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dexingsmotpoker
Stranger
Registered: 08/18/06
Posts: 31
Last seen: 15 years, 2 months
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Re: Just a substrate question. [Re: tictactone]
#11012414 - 09/06/09 11:41 PM (15 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thanks for the answers! Yeah no Lowe's here in this town. I live in a relatively small town.
I think I tracked down some Vermic, but I'm still interested to hear what anyone thinks about my other ingridients.
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Shroominit
Part Time Mycologist



Registered: 11/29/08
Posts: 4,662
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Could replace or augment BRF with quinoa flower, It wouldn't necessarily be more beneficial, but it would almost certainly work.
As far as the peat goes, you could use it for spawning bulk when you get there or better yet, save it for casing the bulk. If you can get horse manure you'd be set for that.
As stated above, perlite is going to be for humidity, not nutrients.
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chronosync
kicked the habit. shed my skin.

Registered: 01/23/09
Posts: 692
Last seen: 9 years, 2 months
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Re: Just a substrate question. [Re: Shroominit]
#11012839 - 09/07/09 01:40 AM (15 years, 4 months ago) |
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do you have a PC?
using BRF/verm is almost foolproof for the steam sterilization method.
if you have a pressure cooker you can successfully use nearly any medium.
wheat, rye, quinoa, im sure barley would work, etc,. you just dont want a mushy sub/spawn medium.
dont try to inoculate any sub intended for bulk spawning: peat, coir, or dung. these are for mature cultures only. spores wont take to them well, but healthy mycelium will eat them alive. if and when ready.
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dexingsmotpoker
Stranger
Registered: 08/18/06
Posts: 31
Last seen: 15 years, 2 months
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Re: Just a substrate question. [Re: chronosync]
#11015109 - 09/07/09 02:24 PM (15 years, 4 months ago) |
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Hmm yeah I have a PC. I will just supplement the rice flour with quinoa just for kicks, it's nutritious stuff.
I have a ton ton ton of peat moss, way too much. It would be nice if there was something I could do with it. I read some casing techniques but I'm not sure I really know what it really is.
All I have is two spore prints that are questionably sterile. (IE probably not at all) So this should be interesting.
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Doc_T
Random Dude




Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 42,395
Loc: Colorado
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Peat is useful for casing, but you don't need to case. Certainly not needed to start with, you can try it later if you like. If your prints are unsterile, just use a light swipe of spores to make your syringe. Then shoot a few jars, and if yo get one good one, do grain to grain, or Grain LC.
-------------------- You make it all possible. Doesn't it feel good?
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