|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime
#19389801 - 01/08/14 06:13 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Hi,
My first lime straw bags are ready to be fruited (a bit overdue actually!) Most of the bags in the pics were spawned early December and have been awaiting the newly arrived greenhouse.
Just wanted to share some pictures of what's going on in my house. I am starting a small scale mushroom farm. I want to start by feeding myself and my wife and down the track do the farmers market to sell mushrooms and organic vegetables. I want to grow mushrooms using spent logs under my crops as I have seen it is possible. And open the farm to visitors...one day!
I am a lime believer as well, even though my success rate to full colonization on my first attempts is only 50%. I have messed up the straw moisture content with lots of pooling water at the bottom of some bags, leading to bacterial nastiness.
I also tried wood ash, only had 1 bag colonized without contam. Lime seems to work a lot better for me.
I currently have Reishi on Coir in colar bags spawned less than a week ago and doing great (1 quart of spawn per bag).
King oyster on straw
Tree Oyster on straw (probably a blue oyster)
My shiitake all failed - waiting for fuel pellets.
Calocybe indica spawn that's been in the fridge for over a month and looks super keen to enjoy the tropical weather But I am not sure what the easiest reasonable tek would be for this species. Any advice?
I am going to cleanup the greenhouse today. At the moment it is 28-34 Celcius (90-100 F?) and 50% humidity. I plan on using a ultrasonic humidifier since it is all I have right now (the ones for terrariums). Any tips as to where I should place have the filtered air input? Is a passive output enough? Will a PC fan do the job for this greenhouse?
I plan to have one shelf fruiting every week when it's up and running and I improve my bag prep.
I also have this 1500w steam iron that I'm wondering if it could work as a steam pasteurizer. the output is really hot - dangerous hot.
How many of these should I need to pasteurise 20 lb of straw? I thought about connecting them to an old commercial freezer or similar insulated containers.
All my spawn is grain such as triticale, rye, etc mixed with millet and grass seed. Works great for just about everything.
Thanks to shroomery and other people who helped me along the way, can't wait for my first pins...the bags have been sitting there for over a month. I know it is too hot for King oyster, but will give it a shot anyway you never know
This is a bag of Oyster that showed a start of trich contamn, I simply opened the bag a week ago nothing has happened yet and the trich stopped?? This is 564m of poly tubing for my future big logs
Edited by Spiral Climber (01/08/14 06:33 PM)
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19389837 - 01/08/14 06:20 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
I forgot the photos of the potential steam sterilizer (correction: pasteurizer) for a trial:
Edited by Spiral Climber (01/08/14 06:29 PM)
|
liamtheloser
Advanced Idiot

Registered: 06/07/06
Posts: 1,453
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19389857 - 01/08/14 06:24 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Steam sterilizer won't work, the steam has to be under pressure to sterilize.
--------------------
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: liamtheloser]
#19389881 - 01/08/14 06:28 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Sorry I meant steam pasteurizer.
|
liamtheloser
Advanced Idiot

Registered: 06/07/06
Posts: 1,453
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19389904 - 01/08/14 06:32 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
I think you'd need an awful lot of steam to get a container to stay 160ish for several hours. Are you not satisfied with the lime tek you used? I think it would be cheaper and easier to get a 50 gallon drum and a propane burner and do it the old school way.
--------------------
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: liamtheloser]
#19389919 - 01/08/14 06:35 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
you're probably right. I am just not sure I can pasteurize wood chips or even manure with the lime technique. There is no sawdust at all around here (except pine). but anyway yes it probably isn't the way to go, at least the question got asked
Edited by Spiral Climber (01/08/14 06:39 PM)
|
liamtheloser
Advanced Idiot

Registered: 06/07/06
Posts: 1,453
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19389958 - 01/08/14 06:43 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
But you can pasteurize those things in water, which would be more thorough and easier to control than steam.
Also if you haven't looked into it yet, pelletized sawdust is cheap and easily available. If your local hardware stores don't sell it, you can usually have one order you an entire pallet. I can pick up bags for 2-4 dollars, or 5-10 cents per pound.
--------------------
|
drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: liamtheloser]
#19390164 - 01/08/14 07:37 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
liamtheloser said: I think you'd need an awful lot of steam to get a container to stay 160ish for several hours. Are you not satisfied with the lime tek you used? I think it would be cheaper and easier to get a 50 gallon drum and a propane burner and do it the old school way.
there's a guy on mycotopia who runs a small farm based on those carpet steamers. don't knock it till ya try it...twice
|
pseudotsuga


Registered: 06/29/11
Posts: 947
Loc: usa
Last seen: 4 years, 1 month
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: drake89]
#19390196 - 01/08/14 07:43 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|

Non-pressurized steam is what I use for treating most of my substrates.
|
Ganzig
It's for the street cred


Registered: 11/29/06
Posts: 8,206
Loc: Oregon
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse [Re: pseudotsuga]
#19390344 - 01/08/14 08:07 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
pseudotsuga said:

Non-pressurized steam is what I use for treating most of my substrates.
Same.
I go 55gal barrel with a water heating element in the bottom currently.
I tried the steam cleaner then shortly thereafter move on to something else.
But it does work.
--------------------
I must keep reminding myself of this. I must keep reminding myself of this. I must keep reminding myself of this. I must keep reminding myself of this.
|
fractaldill
Cultivator in Training

Registered: 08/31/13
Posts: 909
Last seen: 9 years, 9 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19390372 - 01/08/14 08:13 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
sorry i need to ask, where did you get those black tubes to go around the mouth of the bag?
|
Ganzig
It's for the street cred


Registered: 11/29/06
Posts: 8,206
Loc: Oregon
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: fractaldill]
#19390963 - 01/08/14 10:20 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
You could probably buy a tube of plastic piping and just cut it into sections.
--------------------
I must keep reminding myself of this. I must keep reminding myself of this. I must keep reminding myself of this. I must keep reminding myself of this.
|
fractaldill
Cultivator in Training

Registered: 08/31/13
Posts: 909
Last seen: 9 years, 9 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Ganzig]
#19390982 - 01/08/14 10:24 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
|
Forrester
aspiring sociopath


Registered: 02/05/13
Posts: 9,351
Loc: Northeast USA
Last seen: 25 days, 10 hours
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: fractaldill]
#19390993 - 01/08/14 10:26 PM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Nice work! What country are you in? That range you gave is closer to 80-90f, but damn that's pretty hot. Might be pretty warm for the kings like you said, but the Calocybe should love it. You sure that C. indica spawn is ok in the fridge? I know refrigeration kills some of those tropical species, but don't know much about C. indica myself... Maybe a couple nights in the fridge would be enough to get the kings to pin?
Looking forward to seeing fruits!
-------------------- Repugnant is a creature who would squander the ability to lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here. ------------------- Have some medicinal mushrooms and want to get the most out of them? Try this double extraction method.
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Forrester]
#19391336 - 01/09/14 12:03 AM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
fractaldill said: sorry i need to ask, where did you get those black tubes to go around the mouth of the bag?
They are called collar bags they came together with the bags from the australian supplier I got it from. There are also filters inside the black ring. Very easy to use but the bags are a bit narrow = not easy to fill quickly and properly.
Quote:
liamtheloser said: But you can pasteurize those things in water, which would be more thorough and easier to control than steam.
Also if you haven't looked into it yet, pelletized sawdust is cheap and easily available. If your local hardware stores don't sell it, you can usually have one order you an entire pallet. I can pick up bags for 2-4 dollars, or 5-10 cents per pound.
Yes I'd like to buy a water element and a 55 gallon drum but I am not sure where to find the element and what capacity I should be looking at. Any advice? (2kw? more?)
I am trying to get fuel pellets sent to me to do wood lovers. There is just nothing where I live and I don't have time to chop down and mulch mango trees A company down south told me sending 100kgs would cost $300. That isn't going to work :/
Quote:
drake89 said:
Quote:
liamtheloser said: I think you'd need an awful lot of steam to get a container to stay 160ish for several hours. Are you not satisfied with the lime tek you used? I think it would be cheaper and easier to get a 50 gallon drum and a propane burner and do it the old school way.
there's a guy on mycotopia who runs a small farm based on those carpet steamers. don't knock it till ya try it...twice
Inspiring. Mine isn't a carpet cleaner, it's to use to iron your cloth. Works pretty good So all I have to do is run the steam in a container packed with straw for 2 hours?
Quote:
Forrester said: Nice work! What country are you in? That range you gave is closer to 80-90f, but damn that's pretty hot. Might be pretty warm for the kings like you said, but the Calocybe should love it. You sure that C. indica spawn is ok in the fridge? I know refrigeration kills some of those tropical species, but don't know much about C. indica myself... Maybe a couple nights in the fridge would be enough to get the kings to pin?
Looking forward to seeing fruits! 
Cheers, me too!
The Calocybe Indica looks very healthy despite the fridge, I'd like to believe the rebirth will put it on steroids. The problem is I am still stuck on what substrate to use for them. I can only use lime on straw, or pasteurise substrate in my pressure cooker...or build a container for the steam machine.
Interestingly, my 3 quarts of C.I came from the same plate (second generation plate). 1 quart jar colonized 100% within 4 or 5 days. The other jars took more like 10 days. I must have found a great strain but now the jars are mixed up...lame.! Need to test a neighbor sector.
My 5 shiitake quarts in the fridge look bad, the grains have dried and broken up it looks like it is dying. Oh well...more for the compost.
Reishi did not mind the fridge whatsover. One bag is already 80% colonized (after 5 days). I think it loves the heat.
I will put king oysters in the fridge during the week end and setup the greenhouse.
I bought pink, pearl, golden and phoenix oyster dried spawn from a shop. The pink loves the heat (or so I hear) but what about the other ones? I will start some dishes.
I am also looking for some heat and lime straw tolerant shiitake strain. And any good oyster strain too 
I have Reishi and Calocybe Indica for trade, some shiitake plates too but I think they need sawdust and colder weather.
Thanks for the hints
Edited by Spiral Climber (01/09/14 01:09 AM)
|
Forrester
aspiring sociopath


Registered: 02/05/13
Posts: 9,351
Loc: Northeast USA
Last seen: 25 days, 10 hours
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19391390 - 01/09/14 12:17 AM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
For the C. indica - have you searched posts by Sparkle? She grows them commercially in Thailand, can't remember what she grows them on but she's definitely got it down so search for posts by her 
Yeah, reishi does love the heat! You should do well with it 
Oysters? You're right, the pink is tropical and loves heat. The others, it depends - phoenix is great for warmer temps, pearl likes cooler but will pin and fruit fine in warmer, golden I'm not really sure, never grown it personally but I know it gets more color in cooler temps, might be like pearl and still grow fine in warmer though idk.
There is a specific shiitake strain that does well on straw alone, all the others to the best of my knowledge do better on sawdust alone or straw/sawdust mix.
Hope this helps!
-------------------- Repugnant is a creature who would squander the ability to lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here. ------------------- Have some medicinal mushrooms and want to get the most out of them? Try this double extraction method.
|
solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Forrester]
#19392504 - 01/09/14 07:18 AM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Put your sub in a drum/container, raised on a grill. Pipe the steam from the iron into the bottom of it, you will need to have a probe thermometer in the centre of the sub and start your timer when it starts to rise - usually it will take off suddenly and you can shut the steamer down. Great for pasteurisation.
Add some controls and an auto fill for the steamer and you can get the sub up to 95C. Keep it there for 8-12 hours and you have sterile sub (technically "super pasteurised") - I do grain spawn this way 90kg at a time as well as sub. Bigger steamer but same concept. You will need a drain (p trap) for the condensation
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
|
Aleon
The Power of Our Origins



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 1,127
Loc: Everywhere
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: solarity]
#19392603 - 01/09/14 08:04 AM (10 years, 22 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
solarity said: Put your sub in a drum/container, raised on a grill. Pipe the steam from the iron into the bottom of it, you will need to have a probe thermometer in the centre of the sub and start your timer when it starts to rise - usually it will take off suddenly and you can shut the steamer down. Great for pasteurisation.
Add some controls and an auto fill for the steamer and you can get the sub up to 95C. Keep it there for 8-12 hours and you have sterile sub (technically "super pasteurised") - I do grain spawn this way 90kg at a time as well as sub. Bigger steamer but same concept. You will need a drain (p trap) for the condensation
Neat info; thanks solarity!
-------------------- Mushroom medicines available at: www.swordandshieldwellness.com
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Forrester]
#19393887 - 01/09/14 02:13 PM (10 years, 21 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Forrester said: For the C. indica - have you searched posts by Sparkle? She grows them commercially in Thailand, can't remember what she grows them on but she's definitely got it down so search for posts by her 
Yeah, reishi does love the heat! You should do well with it 
Oysters? You're right, the pink is tropical and loves heat. The others, it depends - phoenix is great for warmer temps, pearl likes cooler but will pin and fruit fine in warmer, golden I'm not really sure, never grown it personally but I know it gets more color in cooler temps, might be like pearl and still grow fine in warmer though idk.
There is a specific shiitake strain that does well on straw alone, all the others to the best of my knowledge do better on sawdust alone or straw/sawdust mix.
Hope this helps!
I've looked up Sparkle, thank you so much! I found a paper about C.I. And it looks like I'm lucky to have access to a great substrate for it: sugar cane leafs (not bagasse). Cane leaf is sold as mulch for around AUD$15 a bale, it's cheaper than straw I think (I can pick up shredded wheat straw for AUD$28 a bale (12kg) from the pet store...I refuse to work with the local hay could be too moldy. I think we also have a few rice growers in the region I might talk to them. A major store here also had different substrates to try for cheap like lucerne hay etc... will have to try them and mix them.
Apparently C.I isn't that hard, it should work with cane leafs with supplementation inform of extra spwan. Best casing material is a mix of cow dung and soil. Easy, it is probably my best bet for summer. During winter here the temperature are more 23-30 Celcius which is probably too cold for this species but fine for oysters and others. So pinks and calocybe and maybe phoenix oysters.
Which shiitake does well on strain alone?
Yes thanks for the info Solarity. I didn't know you could do grains like this.
Down the track I will be buying a 75L autoclave to make life a bit easier.
Edited by Spiral Climber (01/09/14 02:18 PM)
|
Spiral Climber
Happy Farmer


Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 143
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
|
Re: My mini farm set up: several edibles/medicinals, indoor logs, greenhouse, lime [Re: Spiral Climber]
#19396165 - 01/09/14 10:02 PM (10 years, 21 days ago) |
|
|
Green house is now set up, I cut the bags of Oysters in different ways, put them on the shelf next to the ultrasonic humidifier.
I noticed a few pins that were hidden under the filters of the collar bags.
The King Oyster logs made it to the fridge. I removed the collar and filter. Should I mist the top of the bags? (I haven't removed the bags, only opened them.
A mini fan spreads the moisture very effectively in the tent, my hydrograph jumped from 40% rh to 70% within 10 mins. The problem is that it raises temperature. Might be good for calocybe indica but not the rest we're talking 34 Celcius or above.
I am going to try and keep it on a timer so it works a few minutes every hour and spend time dialing in the flaps.
I bought everything to make calocybe indica logs. I will try various compositions between lucerne, sugar cane mulch, straw and coco coir. Apparently coco coir is good to speed up colonization but yields less by itself. Hopefully it doesn't mind lime.
Also have lots of peanut husks for my next batch of oysters 
|
|