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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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yields
#18996929 - 10/18/13 07:05 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I have been getting horrific yields and was wondering what might be the cause. I mean a 10lb or more log only giving me a lb or less on first flush!!!!! I am talking oyster mushrooms (Phoenix, Pink, Blue) and they are on straw (wheat). The temps are in the 65-70 degree range. Humidity is around 85%-95%(working on that) and I spray 3-5 times a day. Light is 12 on 12 off with some variation at times but not much. I have not supplemented any logs so far. The Pinks are not good at all in looks or in yield. Not sign of contams and although I did not feel the Pinks were ready to fruit they started in my incubation chamber so I moved them to the fruiting chamber. The Blue's are VERY well colonized yet don't yield much. The Phoenix do the best then the Blue and the Pinks dead last. Any ideas?
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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OICU812
NC Tree Farm owner


Registered: 11/06/11
Posts: 1,064
Loc: Foothills of NC
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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How are you pasteurizing? How much spawn and what kind of spawn media?
-------------------- -------------- "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" --Benjamin Franklin "Those who give up liberty for security won't have, or deserve, either.". . . Benjamin Franklin ----> Read: The Fight of our Lives - Defeating the Ideological War Against the West - by Victor Davis Hanson
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
OICU812 said: How are you pasteurizing? How much spawn and what kind of spawn media?
Sawdust spawn blocks from everything mushroom and just ordered from Aloha. Pasteurizing in 55 gal trash cans with bleach and lime. I don't have a way to heat and keep the water hot as I have no 220 or stove where I do this (in a warehouse) but I have not had to much in the way of contames. I use 8" tubes and put straw then cover it with sawdust spawn in layers like in RR's vids. I use 2lbs spawn to about 40-50lbs wet straw. To little spawn?
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
Mangomankw said:
Quote:
OICU812 said: How are you pasteurizing? How much spawn and what kind of spawn media?
Sawdust spawn blocks from everything mushroom and just ordered from Aloha. Pasteurizing in 55 gal trash cans with bleach and lime. I don't have a way to heat and keep the water hot as I have no 220 or stove where I do this (in a warehouse) but I have not had to much in the way of contames. I use 8" tubes and put straw then cover it with sawdust spawn in layers like in RR's vids. I use 2lbs spawn to about 40-50lbs wet straw. To little spawn?
Aloha says that 10lbs of their spawn should do like 400lbs of straw I think. Seems a bit much but I don't know.
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
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Those aren't terrible yields. I get like maybe a couple pounds tops first flush on pinks off 75lb logs. They are very good and fast about 2nd, 3rd, and 4th flushes. Blues gettin like 3-4lbs first flush as bouquets of 'babies'. I don't like to let the caps turn up cause we only deliver Monday and Thursday, so some hang out in the fridge. Chin up, you gotta work your ass off to get 'rich' off this. We do lime soak too
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OICU812
NC Tree Farm owner


Registered: 11/06/11
Posts: 1,064
Loc: Foothills of NC
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Try:
- Grain spawn - to give a little supplementation;
- Reduce your spawn ratio to 10:1 - giving the mycelium a better head start;
- Rinse your straw with fresh water before pasteurizing;
- Reduce your package size to 10-15 lbs.
How many days between inoculation and fruiting?
How many holes do you punch in each package?
-------------------- -------------- "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" --Benjamin Franklin "Those who give up liberty for security won't have, or deserve, either.". . . Benjamin Franklin ----> Read: The Fight of our Lives - Defeating the Ideological War Against the West - by Victor Davis Hanson
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t3chnobily
Strangest


Registered: 02/04/12
Posts: 651
Loc: As Seen In VT
Last seen: 6 years, 9 months
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there are a lot of variables. To get close to theoretical yield they all have to line up just right. ICU812 has it right. Also what is the ventilation like? Co2 effect yield also.
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
drake89 said: Those aren't terrible yields. I get like maybe a couple pounds tops first flush on pinks off 75lb logs. They are very good and fast about 2nd, 3rd, and 4th flushes. Blues gettin like 3-4lbs first flush as bouquets of 'babies'. I don't like to let the caps turn up cause we only deliver Monday and Thursday, so some hang out in the fridge. Chin up, you gotta work your ass off to get 'rich' off this. We do lime soak too 
Right now I just want to make the bills...lol. Thanks for the info. I think this will do well here but I need to get more shrooms to sell so trying to boost yields. Might give up on pinks for now and try later when I have built my business up a bit. I still have loads to learn but I'm far ahead of where I was 2 years ago for sure. I am dealing with the cost of shipping in some items. I went to Miami a month ago and brought back 26 bales of wheat straw and 50lbs of Hydrated Lyme. Trying WBS as Rye cost me 120.00 for 50lbs delivered and gets bugs before I can use it all up. But with each issue I'm learning
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
OICU812 said: Try:
- Grain spawn - to give a little supplementation;
- Reduce your spawn ratio to 10:1 - giving the mycelium a better head start;
- Rinse your straw with fresh water before pasteurizing;
- Reduce your package size to 10-15 lbs.
How many days between inoculation and fruiting?
How many holes do you punch in each package?
I do a dish soap soak like RR says and then a Bleach and Lyme soak. This is done in a Plastic trash can that I drilled holes in to create a giant colander then put in a can with no holes, holds the water. After the soak I let it dry till it feels right moister wise (varies with weather conditions) and then pretty much do what RR does in the vids. I was wondering about mixing the spawn in the wheat instead of layering it. This would make things much easier in my process. The number of days between inoculation and fruiting has varied but is about a month. The Pinks I thought were not ready but one morning I had fruits so I moved it. I poke a hole about every 4-5 inches and about 5-6 inches apart. So going length wise 4-5 and going around the log 5-6. so maybe 25-30 holes per log give or take. Thanks for your in put and I will do as you suggested!!!
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
t3chnobily said: there are a lot of variables. To get close to theoretical yield they all have to line up just right. ICU812 has it right. Also what is the ventilation like? Co2 effect yield also.
I have a system that moves air through a filter at around 400cfm through a box that has pond foggers in it for humidity. I also have a fan in the room, the A/C fan and a humidifier in case the humidity drops that has a fan. I'm not sure but my gut says if it is anything it is light and changing that is problematic.
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
Mangomankw said:
Quote:
OICU812 said: Try:
- Grain spawn - to give a little supplementation;
- Reduce your spawn ratio to 10:1 - giving the mycelium a better head start;
- Rinse your straw with fresh water before pasteurizing;
- Reduce your package size to 10-15 lbs.
How many days between inoculation and fruiting?
How many holes do you punch in each package?
I do a dish soap soak like RR says and then a Bleach and Lyme soak. This is done in a Plastic trash can that I drilled holes in to create a giant colander then put in a can with no holes, holds the water. After the soak I let it dry till it feels right moister wise (varies with weather conditions) and then pretty much do what RR does in the vids. I was wondering about mixing the spawn in the wheat instead of layering it. This would make things much easier in my process. The number of days between inoculation and fruiting has varied but is about a month. The Pinks I thought were not ready but one morning I had fruits so I moved it. I poke a hole about every 4-5 inches and about 5-6 inches apart. So going length wise 4-5 and going around the log 5-6. so maybe 25-30 holes per log give or take. Thanks for your in put and I will do as you suggested!!!
I was wondering about 2 things: 1) the 10-15 pound you speak of is that dry or wet? 2) When you refer to 10% is that wet or dry? Thanks yet again
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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OICU812
NC Tree Farm owner


Registered: 11/06/11
Posts: 1,064
Loc: Foothills of NC
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Your fruiting times are definitely a bit long. That tells me to increase spawn. My suggested spawn rate is wet as is the suggested bag weight. Also, pinks love hot weather, something you should have plenty of in Key West. Turn off the A/C and let 'em go. Limit them to the mid 90°'s.
When I say wash the straw, I want you to dispose of the wash water, kinda like giving the straw a shower to rinse off the dust and dirt that has accumulated. Also, I don't understand why you are using bleach and lime. Lime only will be fine as long as you are getting the PH up to about 12 at the start of the lime bath. Make SURE you are using lime that does not contain over 1/2% sulfur because it is a natural fungicide! I'm thinking you might be over doing the chemicals.
Try making a few bags by spreading out the straw onto a cleaned plastic sheet and sprinkling the spawn all through it before bagging. Reduce the number of holes you punch in the bag by half.
Use food grade diatomaceous earth mixed in your grain to combat bugs.

-------------------- -------------- "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" --Benjamin Franklin "Those who give up liberty for security won't have, or deserve, either.". . . Benjamin Franklin ----> Read: The Fight of our Lives - Defeating the Ideological War Against the West - by Victor Davis Hanson
Edited by OICU812 (10/19/13 07:28 AM)
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solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
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Yep I would go with the lime only. Any bleach left will kill it.
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
OICU812 said: Your fruiting times are definitely a bit long. That tells me to increase spawn. My suggested spawn rate is wet as is the suggested bag weight. Also, pinks love hot weather, something you should have plenty of in Key West. Turn off the A/C and let 'em go. Limit them to the mid 90°'s.
When I say wash the straw, I want you to dispose of the wash water, kinda like giving the straw a shower to rinse off the dust and dirt that has accumulated. Also, I don't understand why you are using bleach and lime. Lime only will be fine as long as you are getting the PH up to about 12 at the start of the lime bath. Make SURE you are using lime that does not contain over 1/2% sulfur because it is a natural fungicide! I'm thinking you might be over doing the chemicals.
Try making a few bags by spreading out the straw onto a cleaned plastic sheet and sprinkling the spawn all through it before bagging. Reduce the number of holes you punch in the bag by half.
Use food grade diatomaceous earth mixed in your grain to combat bugs.

How much DE do you add?
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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OICU812
NC Tree Farm owner


Registered: 11/06/11
Posts: 1,064
Loc: Foothills of NC
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Quote:
Mangomankw said:
How much DE do you add?
Mix about a cup per 25 lbs.
-------------------- -------------- "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" --Benjamin Franklin "Those who give up liberty for security won't have, or deserve, either.". . . Benjamin Franklin ----> Read: The Fight of our Lives - Defeating the Ideological War Against the West - by Victor Davis Hanson
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Stevei
Stranger

Registered: 11/20/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Europe
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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loose the bleach and you will be fine.
I´v had that problem in the beginning and all was solved by removing the bleach. I only use bleach to sterilize my working area.
Edited by Stevei (10/19/13 03:33 PM)
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Mangomankw
Key West Fun-Gi



Registered: 11/04/12
Posts: 180
Loc: Key west, FL
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Quote:
Mangomankw said:
Quote:
Mangomankw said:
Quote:
OICU812 said: Try:
- Grain spawn - to give a little supplementation;
- Reduce your spawn ratio to 10:1 - giving the mycelium a better head start;
- Rinse your straw with fresh water before pasteurizing;
- Reduce your package size to 10-15 lbs.
How many days between inoculation and fruiting?
How many holes do you punch in each package?
I do a dish soap soak like RR says and then a Bleach and Lyme soak. This is done in a Plastic trash can that I drilled holes in to create a giant colander then put in a can with no holes, holds the water. After the soak I let it dry till it feels right moister wise (varies with weather conditions) and then pretty much do what RR does in the vids. I was wondering about mixing the spawn in the wheat instead of layering it. This would make things much easier in my process. The number of days between inoculation and fruiting has varied but is about a month. The Pinks I thought were not ready but one morning I had fruits so I moved it. I poke a hole about every 4-5 inches and about 5-6 inches apart. So going length wise 4-5 and going around the log 5-6. so maybe 25-30 holes per log give or take. Thanks for your in put and I will do as you suggested!!!
I was wondering about 2 things: 1) the 10-15 pound you speak of is that dry or wet? 2) When you refer to 10% is that wet or dry? Thanks yet again
I have some sawdust blocks can I use the same10:1 ratio?
-------------------- The Key West Fun-Gi!!!:
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OICU812
NC Tree Farm owner


Registered: 11/06/11
Posts: 1,064
Loc: Foothills of NC
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Quote:
Mangomankw said:
I have some sawdust blocks can I use the same10:1 ratio?
Yes.
-------------------- -------------- "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" --Benjamin Franklin "Those who give up liberty for security won't have, or deserve, either.". . . Benjamin Franklin ----> Read: The Fight of our Lives - Defeating the Ideological War Against the West - by Victor Davis Hanson
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