anyway, the biggest reason you folks are not seeing good results without additional standing/stagnant water is because of insufficient depth of perlite.
i see ppl talking about a half inch or so.
2 inches is about minimum without standing water, three inches better yet.
but 2-3 inches of damp perlite WILL, without additional water, humidify a terrarium for weeks on end.
that is a fact, like it, accept it or not.
whatever.

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

1. Location location location. Standing water is a bad idea. Depending on you ambient humidity you can get away with it or not, but it is not desirable. Also about the sealed terrerium, it depends on ambient humidity and temp. Humidity varries alot depending on geographic location and season. Just cuz you get a few rounds under your belt in the spring doesn't mean the same will work in winter.

2. Yes the temp thing is true

3. yes more surface area is good

Hip and link both, I think more credit is given to hippie for the DD than is neccessary. He sure as hell didn't start any site (that was ben). Much less a shroomery wannabe site. I frequent that site cuz for the most part the issues are faced without an attitude that is prevalent here (eg, this thread). Focus on the issues, perlite. Hippie was trying to provide info for beginners which seems to be the shroomery's forte. He took the time to share his experience. Thank-you for your effort hippie!

------------------
-From a registered Mad Scientist

"From a certain point of view"
-Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi (also a Mad Scientist tm)

Perlite humidifies too well if you aren't careful. Casings need about 85% rH. Perlite can provide 100% in some situations. Cause fatass-ism and wet spot if you don't watch it.

2-3 inches of damp perlite WILL, without additional water, humidify a terrarium for weeks on end This is indicative of a poor set up without enough air exchange. Cubies will survive and fruit in such a stagnant setup, but not much else will. Shrooms need air exchange, and air exchange carries away moisture. There isn't enough moisture in damp perlite to allow for adequate air exchange without drying out in a few days.

Perlite is useful, but to really do it right takes some fiddling. It won't matter much to cubensis but a stagnant, overly humid setup will really stifle an attempt at other more finicky species. It is necessary to balance air exchange, perlite surface area, and ambient rH.

If you really want to know where the perlite idea came from (if it matters), it originated in the lycaeum mushroom forum about 4 years ago. Long before ADM existed, before the shroomery existed. It was a brainstorm of about three members there.

And mycofile: I respect your opinion on alot of things, but your Drool Donkey comments are way out there. There are at least as many, probably more "issues" per capita at DD as anywhere else. I hope DD thrives. I don't think it serves much purpose for a couple of its moderators to be promoting & making negative comparisons to the shroomery, particularly obviously untrue ones. Just my $.02

[This message has been edited by Doktor Dung (edited May 05, 2000).]

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

------------------
-ChesterCopperpott-
"Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway."

A little standing water with the perlite sounds sensible to me.

------------------
Visit the Spore Lab at: http://www.sunshine.net/www/1700/sn1730
It's a trip you'll never forget!

peace,
Link

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

I checked out drooldonkey.org Ya'll should have named it shroomeryII.org

------------------
constantly being hurled into tomorrow, sometimes before i can even appreciate today

Yes air exchange is another factor to keep in mind. People need to remember that everybody's situation is different!

But I think the doktor is mistaken when he says cubes will grow in a stagnant env. but not much else will. I know you mean higher fungus, but lets not forget that all the major contams REQUIRE a stagnant env. to grow. So if you need standing water because of YOUR specifics (air exchange, humidity, temp etc), it may be a necessary evil.

Link, good job! Warm fuzzies and stuff to ya.

Dok, I certainly won't bash the shroomery, ever. I was am and will always be a shroomerite! Per capita issues at DD, perhaps. But one thing is for sure: They don't happen in my forums (experimentation or spirituality). And pretty rarely in the cultivation forum since mycomountain took over. I've never promoted one site over the other. I say nice things about each community to each community. I do like certain things about each one over the other, but certainly have no fav. My comments certainly weren't untrue, but neither were they negative. (at least not in spirit)

------------------
-From a registered Mad Scientist

"From a certain point of view"
-Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi (also a Mad Scientist tm)

Link

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

1. Be nice to others.

2. Respect others and their opinions.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Usually this tek is taught in kindergarden. I have broken it down into a clear, easy-to-follow, step-by-step procedure. Hopefully everyone will find it to be usefull in all aspects of human interaction, as well as here at the Shroomery.

------------------
Baldy

Perlite, yes, perlite is good...

I wish you would come for me, I'd toss you off the ferry so bloody fast....

[This message has been edited by Psychonaut (edited January 10, 2001).]