Ok, Did a batch or 12 quart jars and 12 1/2 pint jars. Sterilized with the same procedure, same substrate ratio (though there is a bit more in the quart jars). The 1/2 pint jars took off and I have 11/12 successful jars. The quart jars were less successful... Myc. started off aggressive, but has since slowed down dramatically. The 1/2 pint jars are close from birthing, but the quart jars jave about a 1/2 inch layer of substrate on the top that will not colonize. Recently, at the exact points of innoculation, the myc. has started to darken, almost a greenish-blue color. It isn't very dark or anything, but definitely does not look right. However, it has been there for many days now, and has not spread at all. I have read and been told that contams usually move pretty quickly...

Could it be that the cakes are just to dry in the quart jars? Causing the myc. growth to stop, and possibly darken like a cake that has had many flushes? The temperature stays between 79-84 where they are incubating, though dry, I also put a few bowls of perlite in the same space just to help the humidity a little bit...

Thanks.

P.S. I use the filter-style lids.