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Torgo2212
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Registered: 10/12/13
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Last seen: 10 months, 14 days
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First Grow... So far so good.
#19020203 - 10/23/13 04:14 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Hey guys,
Just wanted to share my first grow.
Following Shea25's "PF tek done right" http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/11585613
Couldn't find half pint wide mouths so using half pint jelly jars.
Took sterilization very seriously. 2 hour steam, still air box, Lysol by the can full.
The jars where the mycelium runs all the way to the bottom are ones I used 0.5 cc instead of 0.25 cc of solution. I think I'll use 0.5cc on all jars next time.


It is day 4 and 7 of my 8 jars show good growth. One shows absolutely no sign of any mycelium.
Thanks to everyone here. This site has a plethora of knowledge.
Will update as I go.
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Telumbe Maur
Stranger

Registered: 10/14/13
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19020258 - 10/23/13 04:25 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Day 4? Nice, it took over a week for me to start seeing growth like those pics. Good luck!
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huxley_hound
Day Tripper



Registered: 09/02/13
Posts: 74
Loc: USA
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Telumbe Maur]
#19020428 - 10/23/13 04:59 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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4 days? Looking good!
Often the taller half-pints are condemned because the bottom has more problems colonizing (due to gravitational factors), but you look to be in good shape so far.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent



Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: huxley_hound]
#19020449 - 10/23/13 05:02 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Yea people really hate on the tall half pints. I have personally never had any problem. If it becomes a problem get 3.5/4 inch luer lock needles that will fit onto your syringe, I've never had to do this but I read about people doing this(they're usually not shipped sterile but you can sterilize them easy) Those will reach down enough to have the growth starting at the hard to colonize bottom.
Edited by Trusted cuItivator (10/23/13 05:07 PM)
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huxley_hound
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: bodhisatta]
#19020464 - 10/23/13 05:05 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I use them too; given their dimensions you can fit more (jars) in the same (shelf, box) space.
As you smartly point out, in addition to the gravitional factors, you need a sufficiently long needle to properly inoculate. Otherwise, you're just squirting into your protective verm layer, and that's no good.
Edit: Requisite parenthetical clarifications
Edited by huxley_hound (10/23/13 05:06 PM)
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: huxley_hound]
#19073998 - 11/02/13 08:13 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Update and a question.
Its been about 2 weeks now. 2 jars are 100%, 2 are 95%, 3 are around 80%, and 1 is at 30% (this is the 1 that previously showed no signs of life, it has an extra thick verm layer because I ran short of BRF/verm mix).



No signs of any contaminates in any of them! 
My question is: the mycelium looks like it is slightly pulled away form the glass and there is noticeable condensation on the glass in all jars (you can see it in the pics). doesn't seem to be affecting anything just wondering if its normal?
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tybojengles
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19074073 - 11/02/13 08:35 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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It's normal to see condensation and cake shrinkage. Looks good!
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illumi.naughty87
Old Uncle Nutty



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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19074078 - 11/02/13 08:37 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yes, shrinking cakes are totally normal. Good job man... quick colonization for the tall-boy jars.
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Torgo2212
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Registered: 10/12/13
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Quote:
illumi.naughty87 said: Yes, shrinking cakes are totally normal. Good job man... quick colonization for the tall-boy jars.
Yeah I was surprised too. I was ready to wait a month for full colonization. glad it didn't take that.
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Stromrider
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19074132 - 11/02/13 08:59 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Damn I don't think I've ever seen tall half pints colonize that quickly. Nice work 
Did you load the substrate in the jars really loose?
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Stromrider]
#19074144 - 11/02/13 09:04 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stromrider said: Damn I don't think I've ever seen tall half pints colonize that quickly. Nice work 
Did you load the substrate in the jars really loose?
Yes very loose. I filled them up and just tapped the side of the jar to remove large air pockets.
I think using .5cc of solution per hole helped a lot (those jars colonized the fastest.
When inoculating I was able to see the solution streak down the side almost all the way to the bottom.
But I was worried about adding to much moisture, so I did .25cc's in the others.
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19099660 - 11/07/13 10:14 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Dunked the first two cakes yesterday.
Setting up my shotgun FC right now.
Questions about perlite:
How long can it be used before needing to be re-wetted? Some cakes ready to go in while others not even at 100% colonization yet.
Is misting enough to keep it hydrated, extra mist the perlite itself when it gets light, or do you just completely re-wet when it gets light?
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PussyFart
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19099666 - 11/07/13 10:18 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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When you mist the cakes, the perlite will also get wet....
Since you should be misting more than 2 times a day, the perlite should stay moist.
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THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT! A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD, SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List, EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE *** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: PussyFart]
#19099700 - 11/07/13 10:26 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks for the quick reply.
Here is a pic of my shotgun FC.

I did not realize how heavy it the perlite would get when wet.
The cakes go in tonight. Thanks for all the help everyone.
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Casual Cultivator
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19099734 - 11/07/13 10:33 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Are you sure you used enough perlite in your fc?
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PussyFart
Retired Cultivation Extrodinaire



Registered: 04/08/12
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--------------------
THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT! A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD, SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List, EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE *** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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kratom_redmomd
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: PussyFart]
#19100107 - 11/07/13 11:52 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Gotta leave room for the mushies.
-------------------- "If the goal is to ride the bike, why is everyone arguing about which bike to ride? We are all bike riders. Ride your bike." -Unknown If I was going to destroy a nation, first I would destroy its language. -Confusious ¿Hablas Inglés?
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Peachette
Wayward Princess



Registered: 11/22/09
Posts: 681
Loc: Secret Dungeon Level
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19100120 - 11/07/13 11:56 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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If it were me, I'd remove half of the perlite then drill a *few* more holes halfway between the existing ones and the top of the perlite.
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PussyFart
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Peachette]
#19100128 - 11/07/13 11:58 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Peachette said: If it were me, I'd remove half of the perlite then drill a *few* more holes halfway between the existing ones and the top of the perlite.
Remove half the perlite yes, but it looks like his holes are spot on.
You want 1/4" holes every 2" on all 6 sides in a grid pattern.
Looks like he has that.
You want 4-5" of perlite...looks like he has enough for 2 tubs.
When you have perlite that fine that thick, it compacts itself, which negates the fact that it's there.
--------------------
THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT! A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD, SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List, EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE *** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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Peachette
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Registered: 11/22/09
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: PussyFart]
#19100152 - 11/07/13 12:04 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks for the correction. I'm on someone else's cell phone and I can't see the pic that well. But yes don't take my advice on more holes, sorry.
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Torgo2212
Stranger


Registered: 10/12/13
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Last seen: 10 months, 14 days
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Peachette]
#19100352 - 11/07/13 12:41 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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That is 5" of perlite, which did seem like a lot but its what the tek called for. It is pretty compacted.
I am a gardening noob so not sure if there is fine and course perlite.
Here is what I got.


I'll try taking half it out and "fluffing" it up best I can.
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Peachette
Wayward Princess



Registered: 11/22/09
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19100368 - 11/07/13 12:45 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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It will keep compacting regardless of how much you fluff it.
You'll have to keep battling this issue as your grow proceeds. No need to add extra work or things that can potentially cause terrible results.
Get larger perlite. You've made it this far, don't F up over perlite.
Keep up the good work! It's all about asking questions and trial and error but at this point you're looking more at "egregious error" IMO.
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Peachette]
#19100487 - 11/07/13 01:11 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Removed a third of it and fluffed it up (it was really compacted). That takes me down to 4" of perlite.

Here is where I think I went wrong. I used the shotgun FC to strain my perlite (put it right in the shower). Then I didn't mix it or anything, which left it very compact. It is less dense now that I mixed it up real good.
Did a little googleing about perlite and there are fine, medium, and coarse varieties. My particular brand does not specify which it is.
Going to take a run to the store to see if I can find a coarse type.
thanks fellas.
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Peachette
Wayward Princess



Registered: 11/22/09
Posts: 681
Loc: Secret Dungeon Level
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19100507 - 11/07/13 01:15 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Fellas?

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cronicr



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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Peachette]
#19100599 - 11/07/13 01:34 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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yes that where you went wrong, whgen you strained it in here you probly clogged the bottom of your holes with fine pperlite, those holes are very important so i like to use the perlite off the top first toavoid this problem for as long as possible
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: cronicr]
#19101203 - 11/07/13 03:13 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Well no dice on coarse perlite. Checked lows, home depot, agway, and 2 local garden centers. They either had the kind I got or the miriclegrow brand that has plant food added to it.
Going to go with what I have. Its much fluffier now that I mixed it up good.
I see how it goes and maybe check some spots for the coarse stuff while working this week.
Thanks fellas and feministas.
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Peachette
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19101420 - 11/07/13 03:51 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Peachette]
#19140916 - 11/15/13 01:07 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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So I have 5 cakes in the FC.
2 have been in there a week (show no signs of pins).
2 have been in 3 days (1 shows some signs of knotting (lower left)).
And the one away from the others just went in now.
I mist and fan 3 times a day though it ends up being like 5:30am, 5:30 pm 9:00 pm because of work.

When I opened that jar up 2 large shrooms were growing up into the dry verm layer and some small pins were up there too. It had no discoloration and smelled of fresh mushrooms.

Yeah I know about the hygrometer but it was all I could find and I was very curious about my RH.
1 of the shrooms fell off when I took it out of the dunk. I assume its still good to consume?
You think the others will end up being aborts?
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19149051 - 11/17/13 10:26 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Well two cakes have been in there for 2 weeks and another 2 for one week. The one with fruits for only a couple days (it had fruits in the jar).
Some fuzzy white stuff is starting to appear at the base of the fruits.

I believe that means I need more FAE.
Everything seems good. No discolorations and fresh mushroom smell.
My cheap hygrometer reads around 90% most the time.
My other jars have started pinning in the jars. Just dunked them today.
 Is it weird that the fasting colonizing jars are the slowest fruiting?
And anyone see any problems with my set up?
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19178049 - 11/23/13 08:32 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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So 3 of my cakes, they were the last ones to colonize and all 3 had in-vitro pins, have produced a good first flush.
My 5 other cakes, the first ones to colonize and had no in-vitro pins, look like this:


They all produced very small (except for those 2 that knocked their cake over), very dark pins (aborts?) they are growing but very slow and new pins have started to appear on one of the cakes.
I think my RH was low so I re-wetted my perlite and mixed it up a bit. This really seemed to help some of the shrooms from the good cakes (they were turning blue, this perked them right back up).
I re-dunked the cakes pictured. They felt light and looked dry. After the re-dunk the pins grew a little but not much.
Any advise?
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Torgo2212
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Re: First Grow... So far so good. [Re: Torgo2212]
#19187668 - 11/25/13 03:59 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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All the shrooms are growing, just very slow with the exception of those 2 monsters in the back.
I thought the dark ones were aborts but they are growing.
I am keeping a much closer eye on my RH. Humidity is low in the house and my perlite dries out every couple days. I think that was my problem before.
Here are some pics.

 this one has a ton of small dark pins that are growing real slow.
The cakes that are on their second flush are not showing any signs of life yet.
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