Thanks for the tips Sutec:-)

Lana

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resinthc

if someone wanted to combine the two, it would definitely belong in grow/find

Link

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How I wish that somewhere there existed an island for those who are wise and of good will.
-Albert Einstein

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Only you can prevent forest fires.
-Smokey the Bear

Sutec =)

The point: don't waste hours on sterility when the same can be accomplished with less work.

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Visit http://www.drooldonkey.org Global Psychedelic Community, Forums & Chat, Teks & Tips.

The Learner - That's what I said, you just said it much better :P

shroom|ord - Sterility is a key part, if you're breathing on your jars, leaving them open to air and allowing contams to enter the process you're doomed for failure. I'm not saying be Clean Room clean, but being mindful of how clean your process is can only help your success rates...

How to induce fruiting..

To induce active fruiting there needs to be several changes.

1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Light
4. Decrease in CO2 levels

1. To induce fruiting a dropping of ten (10) degrees (f) is recommended. The temperature should be dropped for at least 6 hours, preferably 12 or more though. This temperature change signals the mycelium that it's time to fruit. This is known as "Cold Shocking".

2. Increase the relative humidity of your growing chamber to around 90%, this does a couple of things, including giving the developing pinheads ample water with which to build a good mushroom body. The increase in humidity is also a signal to the mycelium that it is time to fruit.

3. You should have light coming from the top of the casing for at least a couple of hours a day (In my experience), Stamets et al, recommend a 12/12 on/off cycle. I've found that a couple of hours is sufficient though.

4. A decrease in CO2 levels generally signals that the mycelium has "broken" through the substrate and when combined with increased humidity, light and a temperature drop (mycelium growing out of cow shit will be subject to more air, light and less CO2 than in the cozy confines of dung), signal the mycelium it is time to produce some fruit. Fanning your casing is recommended at least once a day, twice or more I would say is better though.

Hope that helps!

It's doubtful that breathing on your jars will contaminate them with the vermiculite layer protecting them (esp. with only 4 small points of entry). If you're worried anyway, simply don't breathe on them! Problem solved.

Have fun with growing mushrooms; don't become a slave to the process.

[This message has been edited by Condi1 (edited October 06, 2000).]