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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice
#14716626 - 07/04/11 04:35 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hi all,
First bulk grow just about ready for execution. I have:
6 qt fully colonized WBS spawnbag Coir Gypsum Verm 18 month aged hpoo (already moist) GornyHuy's sub calculator MSG tub made as per Doc T's posts
I'm looking for fast colonization/low contam risk so I'm going for a 2:1 substrate:spawn ratio and need some advice on ratios for the hpoo/coir/verm. I'm planning on hydrating the poo to field capacity then pasteurising in a spawnbag; pasteurising the coir/verm (plus gypsum) mix as per Damion5050's tek then mixing them together. Hope this sounds reasonable - any pointers esp on the sub mix would be great.
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anonjon
Partially Right

Registered: 11/03/08
Posts: 6,322
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: mr_squee]
#14716958 - 07/04/11 05:57 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I've been going 50/50 or 60/40 or 40/60 depending on availability. All works great.
One thing tho, if you're going to pasteurize in spawn bags you might as well go ahead and mix your ingredients first.
You can still follow the coir bucket tek, but when you open the bucket the first time to break up the coir, go ahead and mix it with your manure while it's still hot, bag it and pasteurize it. This way you're getting a guaranteed, proper pasteurization and the poo comes up to pasteurization temps faster cuz the coir is nice and hot. That's how I do it neway and I prefer it for many reasons.
-------------------- The above post is fictional, hypothetical, or downright nonsensical.
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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: anonjon]
#14717083 - 07/04/11 06:25 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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That does sound like a good plan - mixing pre-pasteurisation has got to be better as far as contam risk goes - cheers for the advice!
I have a shit-load (ahem) of poop but its not exactly fluffy and there is a lot of spawn going in to this tub so I'm thinking about a sub ratio of 40% hpoo/40% coir/10% Verm/10% Gypsum. What do you reckon? Too much gypsum?
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anonjon
Partially Right

Registered: 11/03/08
Posts: 6,322
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: mr_squee]
#14717315 - 07/04/11 07:35 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I tend to use a lot of gypsum just cuz it's cheap and seems to help. But I don't know what I use in terms of percentage, I think I"m using roughly 2 cups of gypsum per 4 gallons of substrate, which is.... asking google....16 cups per gallon so 2 cups / 64 cups = 3%. And I consider that to be overkill, my fruits bruise green I use so much.
-------------------- The above post is fictional, hypothetical, or downright nonsensical.
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anonjon
Partially Right

Registered: 11/03/08
Posts: 6,322
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: anonjon]
#14717333 - 07/04/11 07:41 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Do you have a cheapo moisture meter btw? It sure helps when trying to prep manure to optimal moisture levels. Another handy dandy tool for manure is a corded drill and a mortar mixer bit...hit horse manure with that baby and you'll hardly be able to distinguish it from coir.
-------------------- The above post is fictional, hypothetical, or downright nonsensical.
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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: anonjon]
#14717383 - 07/04/11 07:58 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yeah think I'll scale back the gypsum to 5% by volume (did a bit of searching there and seems to be recommended). That's a good idea for aerating the sub - I have a bitchin drill and a mixer 
Don't have a moisture meter though. If I should get one is it 25% moisture content I'm looking for?
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anonjon
Partially Right

Registered: 11/03/08
Posts: 6,322
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: mr_squee]
#14717448 - 07/04/11 08:17 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I go for a 6 or 7 on the scale, which is drier than field capacity, which some people do. I think field capacity is too wet.
Here's a link to a great substrate prep video series: http://myco-tek.org/showthread.php?209-The-Prof_P-EZ-Sub-Bulk-Poo-Tek-Video-Guide
-------------------- The above post is fictional, hypothetical, or downright nonsensical.
Edited by anonjon (07/04/11 08:19 PM)
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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: anonjon]
#14717525 - 07/04/11 08:38 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Thank you for the link (and for the PM) will check out myco-tek further. Should hopefully get this box spawned in the next couple of days!
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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: mr_squee]
#14717698 - 07/04/11 09:22 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Just posting one more time to make 50 so I can give you a rating for your help Anonjon: for you!
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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: mr_squee]
#14719976 - 07/05/11 11:08 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I thought my wbs was fully colonized but I lifted up the bag today and found one corner seems unwilling. The rest of the bag is a big ol' block apart from this one spot. The bag was nocc'd with GLC 12 days ago.
Should I mix it again (already did at 20%), reorientate the bag to take the pressure off that area, or just wait?
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anonjon
Partially Right

Registered: 11/03/08
Posts: 6,322
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: mr_squee]
#14720093 - 07/05/11 11:34 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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It depends if it is contaminated.
If it looks like it's 'unwilling', does that mean it looks maybe like its got the blotch? (aka the wetspot, aka bacteria, aka the fermenty).
If so the mycelium will slow down as it approaches it, become dense and clumpy looking. The grains will look moist and start to turn to mushy brown eventually. You can also push some air out of the bag to give it a smell check. You're looking for any hint of fermenting smell.
If you think this is the case, take the bag out and rip the bad out and rinse the block off before you use it.
If you think it's not the case mix it up again and it should be ready in 2-3 days.
-------------------- The above post is fictional, hypothetical, or downright nonsensical.
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mr_squee
the noobiest

Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 82
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Re: First bulk grow imminent - would like a little advice [Re: anonjon]
#14720161 - 07/05/11 11:51 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Gave it the smell-check and couldn't get any fermentation smell. Just smelled like myc and a hint of cooked grains, so I broke it up and redistributed the uncolonized seed through the bag. Lets hope it recovers!
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