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inter
Spiral out, keep going



Registered: 08/13/10
Posts: 59
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Journal of an Australian finding supplies 1
#13066257 - 08/17/10 08:13 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hi all,
A lot of people ask questions about where to find various supplies, followed by heaps of helpful answers. Unfortunately, some of these answers aren't always very useful for an Australian! Our shops are different, and some of the stuff is harder to find here. My journal might help some people out who are just getting started like I am. It started as a list for myself to track what I still need to buy, but now it contains a bit more info.
Here it is:
edit: I'll just copy paste it below so all the info from new posts and my journal is all in one place. Read on!
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This is a list of supplies I had to buy to begin the BRF cake tek. I live in Australia. This might help some other Aussies who are also getting into growing. I haven't starting growing yet, I'm just getting everything together. I'll update soon. Feedback welcome!
Syringe needles (18gauge) Location: vet, medial supply store, family doctor, online stores. UNLIKELY to find one at a pharmacy Cost: 20-50 cents each. I tried many pharmacies but none stocked needles, or if they did it was only 25gauge or higher. I called a vet and they had 18gauge that they were willing to sell me. Be creative with why you need them (craft, experiment, etc). Looking for a wide gauge like 16 or 18 helps, as drug users would not want such a thick needle, yet we need thick needles to stop spores clogging. ruckusman: www.livingstone.com.au - they're lab and health care suppliers. They've got stainless steel 14 gauge needles for LC in 50mm and 100mm lengths plus 60ml syringes. plus petris, scalpels, blades, micropore tape etc etc etc
Syringe (5-20mL, I got a variety) Location: pharmacy. Some pharmacies might not have 20mL. Cost: 20-50 cents each.
Alcohol for cleaning/disinfectant Location: pharmacy, supermarket. Cost: $10 for 345mL for rubbing alcohol... or $3-4 per L for methylated spirits! ruckusman: Alcohol - Methylated spirits is the GO!, just dilute it 70/30 with water I tried to find reasonably priced isopropyl alcohol - too expensive here and methylated spirits is as good or better anyway
Inoculation loop - needle, wire, whatever. Just something to scrape the print off I haven't got this yet. Might just use a blunt sewing needle tip. Used for rubbing the spores off the print when making a spore syringe. ruckusman: What about getting a large needle for wool and using the eyelet for the loop and sticking the sharp other end into a bamboo chop stick or something to use as a handle? - Sounds good. I'm not sure if the "loop" is really needed, I'm led to believe that is for a taking advantage of surface tension when using a particular petri dish spreading technique. However it would still work as a good scratcher on the spore print, and it would be soft on the spores, not sharp like a syringe needle tip (RR mentions that a sharp tip needle or knife might damage spores, I'm paraphrasing).
Flame I cant find anything like what RR used in his Let's Grow Mushrooms videos. I have a few lighters around the house though, they should do. Or maybe a candle. Although, the yellow flame might put soot all over the tools I'm flame sterilizing. I might need a jet lighter with a nice blue flame. ruckusman: Flame - take any small jar, I used a basil pesto jar, put a hole in the lid and get some cotton wool (not balls), twist it into a wick and drag it through the hole - fill with methylated spirits and offyougo 100% cotton rope works perfectly as a wick also - maybe a haberdashery is the place to get this, I had some on hand already, no idea where I got it though. www.livingstone.com.au - They also have alcohol lamps
Jars (I bought glasses) Location: home supply stores Cost: $1 per glass I couldn't find any 'canning jars' or even any product in the supermarket with a jar that is suitable. Every jar has a shoulder that comes in before the top. I bought a bunch of scotch glasses, 250mL and about as tall as they are wide. Should be good for cakes and I'll use foil as the lid. I'd rather proper jars though and I'll keep an eye out for some. ruckusman: Useful jars - go to Woolworths where the mustards/sauces are Look for Always Fresh relish, there's three types available - Tomato relish, Chilli Jam & Beetroot relish $3.49 each. I liked the tomato relish The price is comparable to getting half pint Kerr jars here and you get to eat the contents, BONUS! Aldi also has the same jars with pate, you'll have to search in store - not so good on the contents though $2.99 per jar Check http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_14404.htm Gladware containers are also available in 250mls Drill the holes in the lids carefully as they can split - they are autoclavable Check http://210.247.177.179/wheretobuy.aspx for store locations that stock them
Pressure cooker Location: Kmart Cost: $70 Kmart has a $70 pressure cooker at the moment, around 8L I think.
Cordless drill Location: Bunnings, kmart, hardware stores Cost: $40+ Just got one for $35, and $10 for a pack of various sized drill bits for plastic/metal.
Large plastic container Location: supermarket, Kmart, Bunnings, heaps of places Cost: $10-20 each I have a 60L transparent container for a glove box, and an 80L translucent container for a fruiting chamber.
Hygrometer+Thermometer Location: Bunnings Cost: $5-15 Useless as a hygrometer for inside the fruiting chamber as you need a specialist one for humidity levels of 90-99% RH, but handy to know the approximate humidity and temperature of your growing room.
Light bulb Location: supermarket, Bunnings Cost: $3-5 Get one of the newer style energy saving bulbs with a colour temp of 5000 to 7000 Kelvin. Phillips "cool daylight" colour is 6500. I have a 24 watt one in the room where I'll grow, very bright. Don't use an old style incandescent bulb.
Brown Rice Flour Location: supermarket (Woolies doesn't have it, but Coles does), health food/organics store. Cost: $8 per kg I got some at Coles, look in the health food section with all the gluten free stuff.
Vermiculite: Location: Bunnings, gardening store, ebay, online stores. Cost: $14 per 15L bag. 5L bags also available. Picked some up at Bunnings. She said they only just started stocking them in 15L bags. ruckusman: Bunnings have both perlite and vermiulite in 5L and 15L bags, the 15L bags are obviously cheaper and are thick brown paper. about $15 for 15L memory
Perlite: Location: Bunnings, gardening store, specialist pet store, ebay, online stores. Cost: $14 per 15L bag. 5L bags also available. Picked some up at Bunnings. She said they only just started stocking them in 15L bags. ruckusman: Bunnings have both perlite and vermiulite in 5L and 15L bags, the 15L bags are obviously cheaper and are thick brown paper. about $15 for 15L memory
Spore prints: DO NOT BUY SYRINGES. Search for spore syringe teks to create syringes from spore prints. You'll want to learn to use prints anyway if you want to be self sufficient while growing and keep backup supplies. Location: Sporeworks, Ralphsters Spores, FSRE Sporeworks: US$15 + US$15 delivery to Aus. Card, PayPal or mail order. Raplh: US$20 + US$5 delivery to Aus. Mail order only I think. FSRE: 1 euro donation. They cant accept foreign coins, only notes. So give them a note donation and mail your request (plus $2.20 postage to The Netherlands).
Edited by inter (08/22/10 01:40 AM)
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rave420
open minded




Registered: 07/20/10
Posts: 694
Loc: Vancouver Island
Last seen: 13 years, 3 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: inter]
#13066744 - 08/17/10 10:29 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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i don't see how this would be any different in australia?
needles and syringes at the pharmacy store jars, verm, perlite etc at the hardware / garden center / supermarket Brown Rice at the supermarket
-------------------- we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and draw our strength from the same giant fireball. Help me with my collection (trades only)
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Base Icks



Registered: 03/19/10
Posts: 6,191
Loc: Shroomshire
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: rave420]
#13066765 - 08/17/10 10:34 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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The UK has their own thread. Its way different here compared to state side man. I'm sure its all different down under as well.
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inter
Spiral out, keep going



Registered: 08/13/10
Posts: 59
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: rave420]
#13066945 - 08/17/10 11:23 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
rave420 said: i don't see how this would be any different in australia?
needles and syringes at the pharmacy store jars, verm, perlite etc at the hardware / garden center / supermarket Brown Rice at the supermarket
Unfortunately the jars are very difficult to find. I have tried 3 supermarkets and a bunch of different home and hardware stores. This is why many Aussie growers have to resort to glasses and foil if we use a brf cake tek. Not all supermarkets sell brown rice flour, and it is often called red rice flour. (it's "brown rice flour" in Coles though) Pharmacies do not sell needles at all, unless it is for insulin (way too thin) or with a prescription.
Anyway I don't mean for this to be some big sticky thread, I just put it here to when people search for those terms, plus "Australia" then my journal will be one of the results.
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  artwork by Peter Westermann
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ruckusman
Figment of my own imagination

Registered: 05/08/10
Posts: 190
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: Base Icks]
#13066951 - 08/17/10 11:25 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Good thread!!
OK I just checked your log
Some additions
Alcohol - Methylated spirits is the GO!, just dilute it 70/30 with water I tried to find reasonably priced isopropyl alcohol - too expensive here and methylated spirits is as good or better anyway
Useful jars - go to Woolworths where the mustards/sauces are Look for Always Fresh relish, there's three types available - Tomato relish, Chilli Jam & Beetroot relish $3.49 each. I liked the tomato relish The price is comparable to getting half pint Kerr jars here and you get to eat the contents, BONUS! Aldi also has the same jars with pate, you'll have to search in store - not so good on the contents though $2.99 per jar Check http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_14404.htm
Gladware containers are also available in 250mls Drill the holes in the lids carefully as they can split - they are autoclavable Check http://210.247.177.179/wheretobuy.aspx for store locations that stock them
Inoculating loop - I like your idea of using a needle! What about getting a large needle for wool and using the eyelet for the loop and sticking the sharp other end into a bamboo chop stick or something to use as a handle?
Flame - take any small jar, I used a basil pesto jar, put a hole in the lid and get some cotton wool (not balls), twist it into a wick and drag it through the hole - fill with methylated spirits and offyougo 100% cotton rope works perfectly as a wick also - maybe a haberdashery is the place to get this, I had some on hand already, no idea where I got it though
Bunnings have both perlite and vermiulite in 5L and 15L bags, the 15L bags are obviously cheaper and are thick brown paper. about $15 for 15L memory
peace out
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lucas_southoz
Adelaidian


Registered: 06/09/10
Posts: 1,196
Loc:
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: ruckusman]
#13066979 - 08/17/10 11:32 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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FINALLY!!! i have been looking for a thread like this for ages! ima go down to a garden shop this arvo and price some verm and perlite, ill post back with prices
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inter
Spiral out, keep going



Registered: 08/13/10
Posts: 59
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: ruckusman]
#13066997 - 08/17/10 11:38 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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ruckusman, thanks!! Awesome info. I'll add that to the journal too!
I could do with some tomato relish Gladware that can be PC'ed? Gotta check that out.
Updating the journal now.
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  artwork by Peter Westermann
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Scraps
Stranger


Registered: 03/16/09
Posts: 302
Last seen: 12 years, 3 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: lucas_southoz]
#13067012 - 08/17/10 11:42 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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great thread ill b keeping note of all this stuff
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ruckusman
Figment of my own imagination

Registered: 05/08/10
Posts: 190
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: Scraps]
#13067086 - 08/18/10 12:01 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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BTW for anything syringe or needle related if you get strange looks asking for needles at pharmacies - I have!
www.livingstone.com.au - they're lab and health care suppliers
They've got stainless steel 14 gauge needles for LC in 50mm and 100mm lengths plus 60ml syringes
plus petris, scalpels, blades, micropore tape etc etc etc
They also have alcohol lamps, but I'd already made my own so didn't bother
Edited by ruckusman (08/18/10 12:02 AM)
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inter
Spiral out, keep going



Registered: 08/13/10
Posts: 59
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: ruckusman]
#13067113 - 08/18/10 12:08 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Ah nice, I was just looking at places to buy agar and petri dishes also.
I think I'll just post my journal in the first post of this thread. I'll keep adding peoples suggestions to it when I can, but this way all the info is on one page.
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  artwork by Peter Westermann
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ruckusman
Figment of my own imagination

Registered: 05/08/10
Posts: 190
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: inter]
#13067132 - 08/18/10 12:14 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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The only pieces of the puzzle missing are reasonably priced Mason jars (I may have a source for them, but waiting to hear back)
and
large pressure cookers. The 23 Quart prestos are available, but at 3X the domestic US price is just damned unreasonably expensive for me - you can actually get them shipped here via amazon.com and even with the $120 shipping cost they are less expensive than from our domestic suppliers
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jimmystubs
Backyard Chemist



Registered: 07/02/10
Posts: 212
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 2 years, 8 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: ruckusman]
#13067192 - 08/18/10 12:33 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Good thread, cheers fellaz!!
I got my needles and syringers from a Vet. You shouldnt get any weird looks as a 10ml syringe with 18 gauge is not suitable to inject into humans anyway, its almost more of a pipe than a needle - apparently for horses...
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free Journal of an Australian finding supplies
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ruckusman
Figment of my own imagination

Registered: 05/08/10
Posts: 190
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: jimmystubs]
#13067230 - 08/18/10 12:44 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Another thing I just remembered
For wrapping petris I was using micropore tape, then got sick of removing it with gloves on.
So I went and got some glad wrap and cut 30mm length off of the end of the roll with a hacksaw.
It's easier to wrap and unwrap them when doing transfers or for storage and a lot lot cheaper
I'm still using micropore tape over inoculation holes or GE holes but working on a dual layer tyvek GE port for LC's as a substitute for whatman syringe filters
Once I've got that checked out as OK I'll post a TEK with pics
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rave420
open minded




Registered: 07/20/10
Posts: 694
Loc: Vancouver Island
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: ruckusman]
#13067279 - 08/18/10 01:01 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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you don't buy brown rice FLOUR you buy Long Grain Brown Rice and grind it using a coffee grinder, medium-fine consistency. This works somewhat better than finely ground BRF.
no need to buy the powdered stuff when you can make your own much easier. Also, i don't care if you live in australia, africa or south america, there must be a store that sells canning supplies. If not i suppose you can use a normal glass with verm layer and simple tinfoil lid, i don't see nothing wrong with this.
Also, don't be "creative" when buying syringes and needles from the pharmacy. Give them a piece of honesty and tell them you need the syringes for mycology and microscopy research and experiments. You're not lying to them, you have no reason to feel bad asking for one, and they will sell you what you need unless they think you're bullshitting them. I have walked into many pharmacies across the globe, and as far as i can remember all of them stocked an asoortment of syringes.
Furtehrmore, there is sterilesyringes.com which i believe is an australian based company that sells syringes and needles for good prices.
-------------------- we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and draw our strength from the same giant fireball. Help me with my collection (trades only)
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Dreamtime
psy brew


Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 265
Last seen: 9 years, 10 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: ruckusman]
#13067288 - 08/18/10 01:03 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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http://aussimushroomsupplies.com/ have allot of things you might need.
http://redbacktrading.com.au/ ; Every kind of canning jar, good sized pressure cookers & woodchips
http://www.forestfungi.com.au/ bags, culture etc
http://au.vicdir.com/dir/w1009s31281 have not checked this but there are a few promising looking links.
peace
EDIT = sorry if I am not meant to post non sponsor links here... some of these things cannot be bought from sponsors as they are controlled items and post on other items would be quite high, I will remove the links If I have broken the rules.
REMEMBER TO SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS THEY KEEP THIS PLACE ALIVE!
Edited by Dreamtime (08/18/10 01:11 AM)
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ruckusman
Figment of my own imagination

Registered: 05/08/10
Posts: 190
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: rave420]
#13067421 - 08/18/10 02:01 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
rave420 said:
Furtehrmore, there is sterilesyringes.com which i believe is an australian based company that sells syringes and needles for good prices.
Just checked their prices, they are expensive! 100 18g needles should cost $5-$6 Aus not $18
10ml syringes should be ~ $22 Aus for 100 not $48
If you're getting them by the box, get them for the right price
Here are the SKU codes for www.livingstone.com.au - their new site search is a bit of a PITA
I've put the prices so that people can compare without having to register beforehand, though it's no hassle to do so
Petris 80mm A81 bag of 10 - $3.70 A81-10 box of 10 bags of 10 (100) total $16.10
10ml luer lock syringes DSL010MLL - box of 100 - $21.15 DSL010MLLL - loose 0.30 each
60ml luer lock syringes box of 25 T3SS50LA - $38.10 these are Terumo, can't find the others which were cheaper per box
14 Gauge reusable stainless needle 100mm long NMLL14X4 $2.45
16 Gauge reusable stainless needle - 50mm long NMLL16X2 $2.45
16 Gauge resuable stainless needle - 100mm long NMLL16x4 $2.45
18 Gauge needles box of 100 DN18GX1.5LV $5.95
3m micropore tape - 12mm box of 24 rolls - enough to last for quite a while 1530-A - $13.60
Just trying to save you guys some $$
peace out
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inter
Spiral out, keep going



Registered: 08/13/10
Posts: 59
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: Dreamtime]
#13067434 - 08/18/10 02:09 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
san rainbow said: http://aussimushroomsupplies.com/ have allot of things you might need.
Wow, I can't believe all my google searches never found this site. Looks like it has EVERYTHING (weather or not people want to buy everything at one place is a different matter, but it looks legit).
Anyone purchased from there before?
--------------------
  artwork by Peter Westermann
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Dreamtime
psy brew


Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 265
Last seen: 9 years, 10 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: inter]
#13067682 - 08/18/10 04:48 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Anyone purchased from there before?
yeah many times, all round great service, nice guy!
He is selling / sold the site, so it will have new owners soon.
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Dreamtime
psy brew


Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 265
Last seen: 9 years, 10 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: Dreamtime]
#13067683 - 08/18/10 04:49 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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don't you need to be a company to buy from livingstone?
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inter
Spiral out, keep going



Registered: 08/13/10
Posts: 59
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: Journal of an Australian finding supplies [Re: Dreamtime]
#13085130 - 08/22/10 01:45 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Haha funny story:
I just went to Bunnings and got some perlite and vermiculite. When I asked a shop attendant to help me find the 15L bags instead of the 5L, she was very helpful. We had a bit of a chat, then she says "yep, your marijuana plants will love this stuff". I reply "haha close, mushrooms! Perlite is for humidity, vermiculite for growing in". Then she went on to say "it's funny when guys come in, dressed with gold chains and baggy clothes, and buy vermiculite and tomato plant fertilizer. Marijuana plants love that stuff". I was still in my business clothes, dress shirt and pants. "You shouldn't get any weird looks at the counter though" she said. Then she helped me find a nice cheap drill for can lids and fruiting chamber holes.
Yay for Bunnings, "the DIY experts" alright.
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  artwork by Peter Westermann
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