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Chilled
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Registered: 04/21/12
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First Grow - Ecuador PF Tek
#16185204 - 05/05/12 08:19 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Hi All!
From the UK here and so have made good use of the bank holiday so far for my new little project!!
Progress so Far This morning I went out and got myself a 6L Pressure Cooker. I didnt need one for the method (following http://www.mushroomvideos.com/ videos, been a great help!) but I didnt have a pan in the kitchen to fit more than 2 cakes!
Next was a stop at B&Q to get some Perlite and Vermiculite. I brought some brown rice flour with my spores and so have 1kg.
I next got it all home and then got out the plastic pots I also brought with spores. Would rather glass but in the UK its real hard to find cheap ones, and these seems pretty perfect and cheap!
I filled the jars (8x 268ml) will vermiculite:water:brown flour 2:1:1. I used ~550ml per part and filled the with just a little left over (also handy to have!).
I then rubbed the top really well (1cm gap of jar) and then filled the jars to the top with dry vermiculite.




I have no kind of spacers and since I am using plastic jars, I dont want to use the lids for the bottom of the pressure cooker. So I went to the garden and got some stones and washed them. I might bring the pressure cooker to a boil without the cakes and fully sterilise these first.


Then put some more foil and put the 8 cakes in. I going to boil it for 90 mins tomorrow morning as going out in a bit. I will be using Ecuador spores in these, 1/4cc in four points per jar. Does they sound about right?
Still need to get a propane cooker to sterilise the needle. I also need to buy a proporgator light (probably a 50w flouresent, in blue 6500k spectrum). Also need a clear box for the fruiting chamber, but got a few weeks for that yet.
How do they look so far?
Edited by Chilled (06/30/12 05:35 AM)
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Mr. Wilson
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16185226 - 05/05/12 08:34 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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LLETS--GET REEADY--TA---RUMBAAAAL----i got a special place in my heart for the eq strain--them badboys twisted my cap proper---im in the US and have PLENTY of canning jars--im a farming country boy and have ALOT of experience in canning grub---never seen anybody use the plastic though--good vibes man-i wish nuthin but success for ya bro----------lookin at that PC it seems a bit full--might have to do only 4 at a time--but again no experience with that plastic--im proly wrong--what is that strip cross the top??like a version of micro pore??
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Edited by Mr. Wilson (05/05/12 08:43 AM)
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forcekin
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Mr. Wilson]
#16185529 - 05/05/12 10:36 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Looks like you pressed your substrate down quite a bit to get some room for the vermiculite barrier at the top. This is going to condense your substrate quite a bit and making colonization a lot slower from everything I've read. You want it to be very loose and airy (this is in RR's videos) so there is plenty of space for the mycellium to "fill in" the nooks and crannies.
I'm not sure about the UK but here we have plastic designations like "PP1, PP5" etc which denote how strong or resistant to breakdown the plastic is. You want PP5 for pressure cooking. That little strip across the top looks like a "quick access" latch, is it made of thinner plastic than the rest? Don't forget to put foil over them before PC'ing.
I believe you can just use a regular lighter to sterilize your needle, I did with no issues (12 jars, 2 different strains, no contams).
Currently growing Ecuador and South American using PF Tek myself, good luck!
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: forcekin]
#16188746 - 05/06/12 01:44 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Thanks for all the comments! I will be covering each one with foil and the top is like a micropore put (think the needle goes through).
Its PP5 plastic (they were sold for this purpose) as I was 100% against the idea till I found out some plastics are fine in pressure cookers.
I was very careful not to push down in any way and take substrate out instead of compacting in.
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TheDeathryder
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16188771 - 05/06/12 01:57 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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You might get some RTV silicone from the auto parts store for self healing injection points. The injection site heals as you pull the needle, it's pc safe, and completely reusable. Other than that minor concern, looks good bud. I've got Ecuadors going aswell, they coloniized faster than I expected, almost a full week ahead of my Golden Teacher and Treasure Coast jars.
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: TheDeathryder]
#16188849 - 05/06/12 02:37 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Hey,
From what I understand the top strip is like micropore tape and you can go through that, and it seals after taking the needle out.
Also reading the site I got it from. I need to cover with foil with lid 3/4 on (under foil) and then close as soon as they are out of the pressure cooker. Ive not used a pressure cooker before I am assuming just put water to just under pots and then bring to boil and then leave just simmering for 90 mins.
More Progress Put the cakes into the pressure cooker for 90 mins and then came up fine. Not one was even slightly deformed!


Then let them cool down for 3 hours and then got into injecting the spores.


Got the hang of it by about the 5th but managed to bend the needle. I then got a pin and sterilized that and then made the holes for the needle with this, no problems after that (know for next time!).

The box they are in is right by a radiator so will be slightly warming than room temperature (not right next to it, but about 10cm away, that ok!).
Think it looks ok so far?
Edited by Chilled (05/06/12 11:21 AM)
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OH1Ogrown
Student



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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16190314 - 05/06/12 12:54 PM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Seems like you're right on track to an awesome education in Mycology.
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mandrax360
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: OH1Ogrown]
#16194517 - 05/07/12 12:01 PM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Looking good . Them plastic containers will be good for a few rounds in the Pc but can go brittle after a while and then i would recommend glass jars or just cheap glasses with tin foil for lids . Its also best to leave your pc over night to cool . Good luck , you will soon see the fruit of your efforts .
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: mandrax360]
#16209347 - 05/10/12 10:43 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Hi all,
I know it has been only 5 days and I am using spores but I cant see anything in any of my jars! 
Im sure its a case of me being impatient but thought I might see something by now!! Cant see any growth in all 8.
How long can it take for anything to show?
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OH1Ogrown
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16209470 - 05/10/12 11:13 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Patience young padawan. I've seen it take a long time for quite a few on here.
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mandrax360
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: OH1Ogrown]
#16209672 - 05/10/12 12:00 PM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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There are many factors that effect growth , Temperature , Genetics,FAE ect ect .At this stage no growth is better than green growth . Patience is the name of the game . Stay Chilled .
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: mandrax360]
#16222972 - 05/13/12 03:09 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Good morning!!!
Day 7
What a lovely weekend it has been so far. House party Friday night and then a wake and bake Saturday, ending in a 12 hour sleep.
Today I wake up and before cracking on with all the bits I need to do today, checked the jars. When I injected them I was surprised how difficult in some of the jars it was to get the needle to the edge (I reckon glass would be way easier, first downside of plastic jars I have found) and so, combined with spores taking longer I just assured myself that's why I have yet to see growth.
But, to my surprise I have growth in 3/8 and all is a lovely shade of white (seems fine to me anyway!). I feel real chuffed and cant wait to get my fruiting chamber together (40L plastic box with holes and perlite in my wardrobe with a ~50w florescent propagation light (6500k), and they will be fanned and sprayed 3-4/day). That is next weekends job though...

Hard to see but I bent the needle at start of inoculation. When I did I started making holes with a sterilized pin which worked a treat.
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hamilton
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16223010 - 05/13/12 03:37 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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looks good so far friend! keep up the good work....
-------------------- i love you !and look forward to shroomin wicha !
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: hamilton]
#16272672 - 05/23/12 11:27 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Day 18
While I am very pleased at this stage that I am yet to see any kind of mould, there seems to be the following problems with my grow: - only 4 of 8 are showing any kind of growth - The growth in the 4 are fairly slow for this stage


I said to myself at the start that I would be happy if I saw growth from 3/8 so the fact 4 having shown growth isn't a massive problem. However, I would like to know why I have yet to see growth in these.
As such, I have made a list of all the errors I made this grow (which will help with the next one) and would to love what you all think!
- When in the pressure cooker, 4 were on top and 4 on the bottom. Do you think that maybe the pots on top which were further from the heat source werent sterilised as well? - I didnt have time/was being lazy to buy a gas burner to sterilise the needle so in the end I used a Clipper Lighter. I used the lighter between each pot.
I also think that the growth they are showing is slightly behind, which isnt a massive problem as I hope to have these for a festival at the end of July. I think this may be due to:
- Verm and BRF being too tight - Being kept in room next to a radiator (not on much due to being near summer)
We have a loft that is a good 3-4oC warmer so I am going to move them up there and see if they helps develop growth.
Do you think the 4 no shows will grow? Any help is greatly appreciated here! Thanks!
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Elftastic
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16273319 - 05/23/12 02:15 PM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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If it's Day 18, and there still isn't ANY grow, then something is most likely wrong. I'm a noobie too, but just keep your eyes on them. If it was contaminated then you should see green spots but I don't see those either so I'm at a loss.
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"Yes, this is Dog." - Dog
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Elftastic]
#16273587 - 05/23/12 03:12 PM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Cheers for the reply! Yea I feel like I should have seen something by now and im not really fussed on losing 4 as 4 is more than enough for the few shrooms I was hoping for.
However, It would be great if I can figure out why and then it may not happen again! I think I will pressure cooker only 4 at a time next batch.
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Elftastic
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Chilled]
#16273635 - 05/23/12 03:19 PM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yeah I wouldn't stack in a PC or a Pot. Good luck with your s!
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"Yes, this is Dog." - Dog
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mandrax360
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Registered: 09/20/11
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: Elftastic]
#16276731 - 05/24/12 01:58 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Elftastic said: Yeah I wouldn't stack in a PC or a Pot. Good luck with your s!
Almost sure that was not the problem here , I and almost all on this forum stack in there PC , that's what you buy a large PC for so you can get more in at a time .This hobby is trail and error and somewhere down there line there was a error . I dont think the 4 non starters will show any sigh now but I could be wrong , 50% not bad. Some just grow 100% contames on there first attempt so your doing well . Now you should focus on a fruiting chamber cos it wont be long till you birth them cakes.Stay chilled
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PF-Wreck
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: mandrax360]
#16276922 - 05/24/12 04:10 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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Took me 3 goes before i seen mycelium so your doing better than i was. My problem was too wet, i take no notice now of measurements. I done all different jars, glasses, plastic containers and plain old glasses with foil over are as good as jars so i wouldnt waste your green on jam jars when you need em. If you do go the jam route tescos have a conserve which is cheap enough. I got rye flour from asda and it works fine. Cakes for me dont yeild a lot and small fruit, crumbling into farmyard manure, straw and topping with verm is good fer me in chinky foil dishes. I wasted a load on failed syringes so tried a lc to make it go further and i got litres of the stuff:0)
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Chilled
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Re: First Grow - Ecuador BRF/PF Tek [Re: PF-Wreck]
#16278230 - 05/24/12 11:52 AM (11 years, 8 months ago) |
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I think Im going to stick with these jars. Cheap, easy to use and so fair seem fairly successful (I don't think the jars hold any responsibility for 4 not showing growth, Im putting it down to human error )
I think Im going to call a day on the four no shows.
Can someone please tell me whether I should put them back in the pressure cooker for another go or should I empty and put new brown rice flour and verm?
Thanks for all the comments, really helping me understand all this a bit more!
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