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mushr00ms
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Registered: 04/20/11
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Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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What is the best book to buy for beginner growers?
#14323577 - 04/20/11 03:25 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Hi, the name's Chad. I'm new to this whole mushroom growing experience, and I want to read as much as possible about the subject before I even attempt to try growing mushrooms. I've read a lot of contradicting things on the internet about the cultivation of mushrooms, so I found myself searching for a book to read on the subject. Do you guys have any suggestions? I was thinking about buying one of the following books, but I'm not sure exactly how accurate they would be, and I don't want to waste my time buying a book that isn't going to be helpful. Please help!
http://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Mushroom-Handbook-Outdoor-Cultivation/dp/0932551718/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1303334571&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Mushroom-Cultivator-Practical-Growing-Mushrooms/dp/0961079800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303334571&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Gourmet-Medicinal-Mushrooms-Stamets/dp/1580081754/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1303334571&sr=8-2
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Doc_T
Random Dude




Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 42,395
Loc: Colorado
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: mushr00ms]
#14323589 - 04/20/11 03:28 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'd buy the full version of RR's DVDs: http://mushroomvideos.com/ Or TMC.
-------------------- You make it all possible. Doesn't it feel good?
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virus1824
Mr Mushroom



Registered: 09/25/05
Posts: 1,751
Loc: Europe
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: Doc_T]
#14323606 - 04/20/11 03:32 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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TMC is ancient and allot of it is outdated.
Buy more recent books like growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms.
Better yet, all the info you need is right here on this website.
-------------------- A weekend wasted is never a wasted weekend
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mushr00ms
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: Doc_T]
#14323630 - 04/20/11 03:37 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Wouldn't it be better to start with a book? Or where would you suggest starting?
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Larrythescaryrex
teardrop on the fire



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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: mushr00ms]
#14323649 - 04/20/11 03:42 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Atlas shrugged
-------------------- RIP Acidic_Sloth Sunset_Mission said: "larry the scary rex verily scary when thoroughly vexed invoke the shadows and dust, cast a hex mercifully massacring memories masterfully relocate from Ur to 8th density and become a cosmic bully mulder and scully couldn't decipher his glyphs invoke the shadows and dust, smoke infernal spliffs" April 24th 2011
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mabachko
Just Strange



Registered: 02/11/11
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: Larrythescaryrex]
#14323770 - 04/20/11 04:03 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Start with the PF Tek. Use the search bar to find the tek. You can also watch it for free at the link Doc T gave you.
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dr harry bush
Grow wiz kid


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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: mabachko]
#14323800 - 04/20/11 04:12 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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what doc t said ....... watch the videos they are very easy to follow and is pretty much all you need for your first grow.
once you have afew under your belt, start learning agar work and reading up.
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healing
Strangest



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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: Doc_T]
#14323830 - 04/20/11 04:19 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
mabachko said: Start with the PF Tek.
I don't agree with mabachko on this one. In my experience, spawning grains to a bulk substrate in a monotub is the easiest way to do it. The only problem is that you have to use a pressure cooker.
Quote:
Doc_T said: I'd buy the full version of RR's DVDs: http://mushroomvideos.com/ Or TMC.
Whatever method you choose, follow the teks on this site ^ exactly the way they spell it out for you and you should be successful.
-------------------- Open mind, open heart, open book.
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quebus
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: healing]
#14323870 - 04/20/11 04:27 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I have the first book you listed - Mushroom Handbook - and I like it. The thing about this site is that it is freaking huge and opinions can be contradictory and confusing. When I get overwhelmed I pull out the book and read then decide which way to go.
Don't get me wrong - this site is organized extremely well. It's just that each link leads to another and another and so on and so on.....
I also have RR's video and like them (shop around as prices do vary on the DVD series). Finally - start with the PF Tek. It gives you a solid base upon which to build.
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mabachko
Just Strange



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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: healing]
#14323876 - 04/20/11 04:28 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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To each his own, but you gotta walk before you run. Most start with PF-Tek and move on from there after a few grows.
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mushr00ms
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Registered: 04/20/11
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: quebus]
#14323919 - 04/20/11 04:39 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
healing said: Whatever method you choose, follow the teks on this site ^ exactly the way they spell it out for you and you should be successful.
I have a question on the BRF/PF Tek Part 2. When he's inoculating the cakes, he's reaching into this giant clear tub with perfect circular holes in it so that he could reach into it. How do you get holes like that into the tub? That looks a bit hard to achieve, and I have no idea how I would compensate for not having a tub that's exactly like the one in the video. Unless someone has other suggestions for accomplishing that step?
Quote:
phortre55 said: I have the first book you listed - Mushroom Handbook - and I like it. The thing about this site is that it is freaking huge and opinions can be contradictory and confusing. When I get overwhelmed I pull out the book and read then decide which way to go.
Don't get me wrong - this site is organized extremely well. It's just that each link leads to another and another and so on and so on.....
I also have RR's video and like them (shop around as prices do vary on the DVD series). Finally - start with the PF Tek. It gives you a solid base upon which to build.
Thanks a lot, that's really helpful. I've been honestly debating on which book to get for the past few hours, and that's the one I've been leaning towards. There's just far too many options when it comes to starting this whole process, I've been looking into it for some time but I always end up getting confused when I try to look for information online about how and where to start, the links end up confusing me after I've clicked on one, which leads to another, and another...like you said. I think I'm going to order the book, and then the DVD's once I read through the book in it's entirety.
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mabachko
Just Strange



Registered: 02/11/11
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: mushr00ms]
#14323948 - 04/20/11 04:45 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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A drill bit or hot knife will make the holes. Some plastics are brittle but it still can be done.
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healing
Strangest



Registered: 02/22/11
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Loc: the universe, the milky w...
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: mushr00ms]
#14324000 - 04/20/11 04:55 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
mushr00ms said: When he's inoculating the cakes, he's reaching into this giant clear tub with perfect circular holes in it so that he could reach into it. How do you get holes like that into the tub? That looks a bit hard to achieve, and I have no idea how I would compensate for not having a tub that's exactly like the one in the video. Unless someone has other suggestions for accomplishing that step?
It's called a glove box. They're cheap and easy to make.
You don't need to search the site much if you're following RR's videos. Just do exactly as he says.
If you want to use a technique that RR doesn't cover, come here and search for more information. Set your search parameters so that you don't get really old posts. That should keep you from finding contradictory information.
If you can't find the info you need with a search, ask your question in this forum. We are here to help.
-------------------- Open mind, open heart, open book.
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quebus
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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: mushr00ms]
#14324007 - 04/20/11 04:57 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I made the wholes with a jig saw. First layout the two 4" holes and drill a few 1/2" guide holes along the perimeter (on the outline but on the inside of the 4" circle). These guide holes allow you to insert the blade of a jig saw or hand saw and begin to cut. You could use a small hand saw (go to a woodworkers store or website).
I did my PF inoculation in a tub laid on its side in my basement on the washing machine. I took the top off the plastic tub and laid it on its side with the opening facing me. Wiped it down (and the surrounding surface) with alcohol and limited movement in the room so as not to stir up bacteria. Be clean - wear latex gloves and wear clean long sleeves or tyvek sleeves (not required). Use the alcohol lamp (or other flame source) and alcohol wipes for the needle - no skimping on that. RR uses optimum conditions that we should all strive for but we can succeed with alternative methods. He uses a flow hood for some of his work and there is no way at this time I am spending the time or $$ to build one of these things. As I grow and become confident I might consider it but not now.
Part of this gig is failing and learning from those failures. Someone said "Success is failing over and over and not getting discouraged".
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mabachko
Just Strange



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Re: What is the best book to buy for beginner growers? [Re: quebus]
#14324071 - 04/20/11 05:14 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Good thought, I didn't think about a jig saw as I have drill bits big enough. Sucess thru failing is a way to learn as you remember failures longer than a good grow, but it can be done right the first and every time with minimal fails. You don't waste much money on a failed BRF Cake.
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