|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
cvinci1986
Fully Colonized Crumb Cake



Registered: 12/01/13
Posts: 51
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
|
Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization?
#19247120 - 12/08/13 08:42 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? Is this a decent ratio, or do I need to re evaluate my methods. I am a first time grower and this is my very first cultivation. I have 6 jars of Ecuadorian, which are all colonizing nicely no visible problems… I also have 6 jars of F+, 2 of which have developed a spot of trich the size of a penny and they are roughly 50 - 60% colonized. I have separated these two jars and moved them out of my grow room as to protect the others. Finally I also have 6 Cambodian jars 3 of them have birthed and seem to be well off!! Super stoked but the other three have given me problems. two jars have seemed to stall at about 95% colonization and they have been in the jars since i knocked em up 7 weeks ago!!!! what should I do with these????? the third jar of Cambos also developed trich and was disposed of after birth upon identification of the contam (sour smell, and forest green patch). Overall I am asking for some advice on the two stalled jars and I would also like to know if having 3 of 18 jars contam with trich before birth a normal occurrence I do understand that obviously at some point in my tek I failed to sterilize effectively hence the bacterial growth but are these decent odds for a newbie, and am I just stressing out, or am I upsidedown? Thanks for the help guys! Peace & Love
|
elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,409
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19247152 - 12/08/13 08:49 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
At 7 weeks you can toss the stalled jars. If you really don't want to you can turn them upside down and see if they finish.
I didn't have any contamination for my first 30 jars or so.
What was your sterile procedure like? Did you wipe the needle with alcohol after flame sterilization?
You are freaking out. There is nothing you can do about your three jars so let them go. We will now discuss your sterile procedure in detail and try to find out where you can improve. Tell us all about your inoculation procedure.
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh would’ve sold more than one painting if he’d put tigers in them.―Bill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
|
cvinci1986
Fully Colonized Crumb Cake



Registered: 12/01/13
Posts: 51
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: elasticaltiger]
#19247313 - 12/08/13 09:20 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I knocked up 18 jars from two different providers. As this is my first time I bought my pre sterilized jars online. I then steralized my work space using bleach and water mix. I used gloves and a face mask during the procedure I flammed the needle prior to insertion but did not re flame between jars of the same strain. I am incubating at 100% humidity and a solid 80 degree temp my jars have no foil over the holes and there is alot of moisture in the FC could this be the problem i.e. too much moisture? After inoculation the jars were immidietly placed into the FC.
|
2bittoker
Resident PMP Advocate


Registered: 03/09/13
Posts: 555
Last seen: 2 years, 4 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19247378 - 12/08/13 09:31 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cvinci1986 said: I knocked up 18 jars from two different providers. As this is my first time I bought my pre sterilized jars online. I then steralized my work space using bleach and water mix. I used gloves and a face mask during the procedure I flammed the needle prior to insertion but did not re flame between jars of the same strain. I am incubating at 100% humidity and a solid 80 degree temp my jars have no foil over the holes and there is alot of moisture in the FC could this be the problem i.e. too much moisture? After inoculation the jars were immidietly placed into the FC.
Flame sterilization between each jar is critical. Any contams picked up in one jar will carry over to other jars.
Honestly, it sounds like 3 of your bought jars were contamed, as pre-sterilized jars, especially ones off a certain site I wont name here, do not have a good track record. Most pre-made vendors and kit vendors are shady with bad quality products. A case of 12 Kerr Mason Jars, vermiculite, a bag of organic brown rice flour will run you $30, and the jars are reusable and the verm comes in a HUGE bag that will last 200+ jars. The organic brown rice flour is $3-5.
Do a PF Tek from the video here - a pressure cooker is not necessary to get started.
Do yourself a favor and if you are not, only use shroomery sponsors for your spores, as they all have a good track record in delivering clean samples.
-------------------- “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” "Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom" ― Rabindranath Tagore Stuff for New Growers Where new growers should start: RogerRabbit's PF Tek video How it Should and Shouldn't Look My Simplified Bulk Growing My OJ Shroom Tek
|
elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,409
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19247386 - 12/08/13 09:32 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cvinci1986 said: I flammed the needle prior to insertion but did not re flame between jars of the same strain.
This could easily be the cause of your contamination. Always flame sterilize between jars.
On top of that, you bought jars pre made which means you don't know how old they are / when they were prepared.
For your first grow incubation is unnecessary.
This reeks of midwest growkits.
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh would’ve sold more than one painting if he’d put tigers in them.―Bill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
|
DannyDGAF
Boomer Enthusiast



Registered: 06/10/13
Posts: 533
Loc: USA
Last seen: 6 years, 9 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19247391 - 12/08/13 09:32 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I'd say only loosing 3 jars out of 18 is good enough. Some people like elasticaltiger & myself are a bit more careful with sterile techniques and haven't had a contaminated jar for a while.
--------------------
"You tell him, and I will smack you. I will smack you like a bad, bad donkey!" Our dreams are a second life. I have never been able to penetrate without a shudder those ivory or horned gates which separate us from the invisible world. "In order to use your head, you have to go out of your mind" - Tim Leary
|
cvinci1986
Fully Colonized Crumb Cake



Registered: 12/01/13
Posts: 51
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: elasticaltiger]
#19251053 - 12/09/13 04:26 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Why do u say toss the stalled jars? I dont understand if the mycellium is healthy cant I just rehydrate after birth then try to fruit them? I would hate to have wasted 7 weeks!!!SMH
|
HypnotoadCroaked
Retired, but will check MSGs

Registered: 01/05/13
Posts: 1,168
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19251116 - 12/09/13 04:40 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cvinci1986 said: Why do u say toss the stalled jars? I dont understand if the mycellium is healthy cant I just rehydrate after birth then try to fruit them? I would hate to have wasted 7 weeks!!!SMH
Depending on how much of the cakes is uncolonized, you could certainly use them....Success is not guaranteed. Stalling is not good. It can mean contamination, or something as simple as moisture content. It is very hard to assess without photographs....7 weeks could point to drying out.
I am not a cake person. I didn't make a whole lot of them, but when I did It was wrong. Wrong jars which were too tall would simply not colonize on the bottom. Prior to the dunk I took a few and washed them under the sink and gently brushed off uncolonized areas. I used this as a first time cake to bulk, and had no issues through a few flushes.
Don't take my word for it however....I hate cakes. It would be awesome if someone else could chime in on this with good pf tek experience.
|
twistedty
Forcefully Retired



Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 5,487
Loc: Middle
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19251121 - 12/09/13 04:41 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cvinci1986 said: Why do u say toss the stalled jars? I dont understand if the mycellium is healthy cant I just rehydrate after birth then try to fruit them? I would hate to have wasted 7 weeks!!!SMH
we call those learning experience around here.
|
cvinci1986
Fully Colonized Crumb Cake



Registered: 12/01/13
Posts: 51
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: twistedty]
#19252033 - 12/09/13 07:21 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Thanks man, I think Im gonna take ur advice and simply rehydrate then birth and gently rub off any substrate that is not colonized… Ill keep you updated my friend, and ill post pics asap
|
kechlesurf
Stranger



Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 1,103
Last seen: 1 month, 14 days
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19252142 - 12/09/13 07:47 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Honestly, if you Had three fail, you are lucky you did not loose more. But with pf tek, did not loose much time or money. Keep doing pf Tek until you get zero contams than move to ryeberries or some other grain
|
cvinci1986
Fully Colonized Crumb Cake



Registered: 12/01/13
Posts: 51
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: kechlesurf]
#19252440 - 12/09/13 08:40 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Well I'm just stressing out bc I dont want to losse anymore to the bacteria, and my fc is really humid could execessive humidity be the culprit? I guesse I have done all I can do, im still developing the patience for mcology I keep staring at my cakes that have been birthed and maybe if I stare hard enough they will initiate pinning!
|
SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: kechlesurf]
#19252449 - 12/09/13 08:42 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
My first grow i did 20 jars and 1 grain/verm mycobag..7 of my jars failed.. it happens dude. Did you pc or steam sterilize? I still occasionally have a jar or two contam.. sometimes its due to the ms syringe or maybe substrate, but you will have it once in a while. I think only losing 3 if its your first grow aint that bad mang..
--------------------
|
SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19252480 - 12/09/13 08:47 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cvinci1986 said: Well I'm just stressing out bc I dont want to losse anymore to the bacteria, and my fc is really humid could execessive humidity be the culprit? I guesse I have done all I can do, im still developing the patience for mcology I keep staring at my cakes that have been birthed and maybe if I stare hard enough they will initiate pinning!
The more you stare at your cakes and handle em the longer it will take for pinning. Just mist and fan and follow procedure and things will work out.. humidity shouldnt be a problem unless its over 100% which means theres standing water gathering from it.. just dont look at the cakes every hour and you will be better off. I find when im constantly looking at my cakes and casings they take forever to pin.. pins usually sneak up on ya..when its almost time for pinning you will notice little white bumps forming on your cakes..these are hyphal knots and are the first step of a pin forming
--------------------
Edited by SamhainJ (12/09/13 08:48 PM)
|
2bittoker
Resident PMP Advocate


Registered: 03/09/13
Posts: 555
Last seen: 2 years, 4 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: cvinci1986]
#19255398 - 12/10/13 01:20 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cvinci1986 said: Well I'm just stressing out bc I dont want to losse anymore to the bacteria, and my fc is really humid could execessive humidity be the culprit? I guesse I have done all I can do, im still developing the patience for mcology I keep staring at my cakes that have been birthed and maybe if I stare hard enough they will initiate pinning!
If you have the money, start your own jars now. That way, if any more fail, you have a batch right behind them. And only do your own jars, never buy pre-sterilized. Too many shady operators out there with bad products.
From my other post: Honestly, it sounds like 3 of your bought jars were contamed, as pre-sterilized jars, especially ones off a certain site I wont name here, do not have a good track record. Most pre-made vendors and kit vendors are shady with bad quality products. A case of 12 Kerr Mason Jars, vermiculite, a bag of organic brown rice flour will run you $30, and the jars are reusable and the verm comes in a HUGE bag that will last 200+ jars. The organic brown rice flour is $3-5.
-------------------- “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” "Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom" ― Rabindranath Tagore Stuff for New Growers Where new growers should start: RogerRabbit's PF Tek video How it Should and Shouldn't Look My Simplified Bulk Growing My OJ Shroom Tek
|
vikingsc
Mushroom Enthusiast



Registered: 01/11/12
Posts: 1,214
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
Last seen: 6 months, 14 days
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: 2bittoker]
#19257408 - 12/10/13 08:07 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
The glass is 5/6 full not 1/6 empty
If you get 15 of 18 jars that's not so bad. Like they said I wouldn't buy pre-sterilized jars again. Who knows how long it's been sitting in there at least as long as it takes to ship them. BRF cakes are so easy to make yourself.
Be very careful what you do with Trich containing jars. You should sterilize them before you consider opening them inside your house or just throw them out. Don't wanna spread that Trich through your house and cause future contams.
|
TheFog
Mycophobe

Registered: 10/04/13
Posts: 200
Last seen: 9 years, 6 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: vikingsc]
#19257447 - 12/10/13 08:18 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
As vikingsc said, kill those contaminated jars immediately. Make sure there is no chance the trich can escape from the jars. Don't bother re-using, just wrap them up tight in a plastic bag and get them away from your grow area (ie. trash them!).
I bought pre-sterilized jars, too. Followed these instructions exactly: Grow Guide - PDF. I built the glove box (SAB - Still Air Box) as instructed and not a single contaminated jar.
If, like me, you get immediately hooked from your first PF Tek grow and want to move on to bulk, it's best that you get sterilization procedures in order. …although my next grow is pasteurizing, not sterilizing… whatever. Good thing to know is that once the substrate is fully colonized it will be incredibly resistant to contams.
|
TheFog
Mycophobe

Registered: 10/04/13
Posts: 200
Last seen: 9 years, 6 months
|
Re: Can anyone tell me if its normal to have 3 of 18 pf tek Cakes contaminate during colonization? [Re: TheFog]
#19257464 - 12/10/13 08:26 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
PS - Here's my first PF Tek grow post, in fact my first attempt to grow mushrooms period.
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/19206190
|
|