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slugworth
Stranger
Registered: 09/30/13
Posts: 37
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help
#18913148 - 09/30/13 08:54 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Hey All,
Like so many before them, AFOAF comes to you in search for assistance and knowledge. As stated this is their first attempt and it appears it may produce experience but no mycological specimens which they care to study beyond how to avoid them.
After weeks of research from here, mycotopia, fungifun and various other sources AFOAF embarked on the BRF PFTek. followed the "Lets Grow Mushrooms" vid for the most part - and read many informative responses from the likes of RR and Kizzle. AFOAF used the 2:1:1 ratio for my substrate, inoculated in oven set at 280F I believe (sprayed kitchen with lysol prior). Sterilization (8 half pint jars - couldn't find wide mouth, but they have them now for next run) was performed after large pot was boiling, for 90 minutes. Jars were covered with two layers of foil (Inoc. holes were covered with masking tape in half of the specimens, and a portion were also sealed using rubber bands around tin foil to prevent moisture entry. Syringe was flame sterilized using a lighter between each jar, wiped clean of black carbon from flaming using a lysol or alcohol wipe. AFOAF did run into quite some difficulty piercing the metal lids as the pre made holes were not large enough (that friend is such a dummy) to accomodate the syringe tip ( this resulted in him very carefully forcing the syringe tip through the small metal lid holes). Inoculation was performed approx 12 hours after sterilization (plenty cool) with a sponsor site syringe.
For fruiting this dude built a TIT which initially was placed in the crawlspace of a basement in a mystical castle (lid was intact and covered by blanket). Heater was set at 84.0F. After a day an army of knights moved the TIT into a large clothes chest in fear of airborne contaminants - however the kind did use a 1/2'' layer of dry verm at the top of his jars, left both layers of foil on the jars and tape over holes of the ones which did have it.
Within a few days his majesty noticed some growth (entire kingdom cheered !! ). Concerned for his studies the mad scientist upped his hours researching appropriate appearance of mycellial growth - you can see the reason for concern based on pics. The initial growth was the greyish fog looking stuff followed by the thicker white (what he believes to be) true mycellial growth. He fears the greyish stuff may be a banner image for some sort of mold (appears many would suggest cobweb), however it is hoped you guys can inform me otherwise (- so I may relay this information to my dear friend and the kingdom if I have this crazy dream again - never eating half baked ice cream before bed again !!!). It was not overly quick to grow however. The pics are taken at two weeks (dreamspace time may be different than real life) although maybe this mold could not grow very fast because of possibly too low of air exchange due to small inoc holes, taping, foil layers ( Tape as removed from all jars at approx 8 days, after it was noticed the ones without tape were "colonizing" faster).
Anyways after more thick white mycellial looking growth appeared the researchers became certain the jars were lost. At approx 14 days the brown spots began showing up ( perhaps some bacteria ? ) .
Today is Day 15 post inoc - I have not spoken with the researchers however I dont think they looked at them today (they were quite depressed at recent realization and hope time will just fix everything)
Any input will be appreciated, I really like the friendly vibes and intelligent responses I have encountered on this site - quite refreshing compared to many other forums.
***there are 8 jars total (couple dup. pics) - AFOAF just remembered an entire syringe was used - this was because it was very difficult to plunge the syringe once inside the jar, must have been close to air tight - again maybe a reason why the suspected cobweb like mold grew slower than what has been read in the forums
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Kizzle
Misanthrope


Registered: 08/30/11
Posts: 9,855
Last seen: 11 hours, 51 minutes
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: slugworth]
#18913380 - 09/30/13 09:41 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Those are all contaminated with mold.
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MAIA
World-BridgerKartikeya (DftS)



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 7,396
Loc: Erra - 20 Tauri - M45 Sta...
Last seen: 19 days, 6 hours
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: Kizzle]
#18917131 - 10/01/13 04:35 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I think some are contaminated but not all of them. Flip the jars, wait about a week and report back. All contaminated jars should either get stalled growth or some funky color/texture or smell.
As I see it, right now, you've got nothing to loose, so see what happens next. Every piece of experience is gold to any rookie. Even failures can tech you something. Just take precautions when disposing contaminated cakes. Open contaminated jars outside and throw the cakes directly into the bin.
Take care !
-------------------- Spiritual being, living a human experience ... The Shroomery Mandala
 Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy. Voltaire
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slugworth
Stranger
Registered: 09/30/13
Posts: 37
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: MAIA]
#18918190 - 10/01/13 08:34 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Thanks for input guys.
Checked em' today - most are fully covered now in what appears to be the gray fog although in a few the brighter white is pretty melded with the fog making it difficult to distinguish the boarder. I hope you are right MAIA - what is your rationale as per why some may/may not be contaminated ? I pulled the foil off and gave em all a whiff however I detected nothing whatsoever - should I be taking the lid all the way off as well ? Also of note a few of the ones with brownish looking spots seemed to have spread - the spots may be reddish but I'm red/green color blind so it's pretty much impossible for me to distinguish red/brown/dark green if they are close together.
At this point the jars are all flipped and fingers crossed. Waiting for opportune time to get next batch started ( gf/boss would see to it that she witnessed the final product of anything I was really cooking, and she would be far from impressed).
I'm seeing some different views on wiping the needle after flame sterilization (lysol and alcohol will kill bacteria but not mold ?), any thoughts on this ? Thanks again for any input
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Jimmyhunter1000
That guy.



Registered: 06/15/12
Posts: 777
Loc: Massachusetts, USA.
Last seen: 5 years, 9 months
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: slugworth]
#18919648 - 10/02/13 05:23 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Alcohol wipes after you have the needle red hot just reintroduces contams back onto the syringe. All you really need is just to flame the needle, as when its red hot it kills contams.
Taking off the lids of a jar not fully colonized will Contam the cake for sure. Never ever do that, especially if there is potential mold in the jar at hand as that can contaminate your grow area.
-------------------- There isn't a trail too long or too wide.
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slugworth
Stranger
Registered: 09/30/13
Posts: 37
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: Jimmyhunter1000]
#18920158 - 10/02/13 09:41 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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So if I'm sniffing for rotten apples or moldy smell it should be detectable with lid on ?
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Kizzle
Misanthrope


Registered: 08/30/11
Posts: 9,855
Last seen: 11 hours, 51 minutes
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: slugworth]
#18923131 - 10/02/13 07:57 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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The texture looks pretty funky to me. The closest thing to mushroom mycelium in any of those is on the top right of the first pic.
Wiping a flame sterilized needle with anything could potentially contaminate it. Having soot on the needle during the inoculation won't cause problems.
The smell of the mold isn't always detectable. It's also pretty obvious the mold has grown into the dry vermilulite layer in some of those so I'd definitely recommend against taking the lid off. Also like said above taking the lid off a jar can disturb the verm layer which could lead to contamination even in healthy jars so it's never a good idea if the jars not fully colonized.
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Spacecateer1981
Stranger

Registered: 08/14/19
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Re: First Attempt - Contamination verification - Help [Re: slugworth]
#26240740 - 10/09/19 04:48 PM (4 years, 3 months ago) |
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My first attempt with grains, do these look ok?
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