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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline
#21217232 - 02/02/15 05:20 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Hi Shroomery!
Figured I'd introduce myself briefly and post a short inquiry. I just started my first grow (Stropharia Cubensis Cuban), and, like the newb that I am, I ordered a package that included all the necessary materials to get going (including an already inoculated 'cake' to start with). Next time, I'll cook one of these up myself (assuming all goes according to plan)... I should also mention that I've never actually tried mushrooms before, ha ha, but it's something that has been in the pipeline for about six years or so, as I've been reading up on it, but I just hadn't gotten around to it, and so I decided that I'd like to grow my own for the first shot. If I don't like them for whatever reason then I'll give'em away...
Anyway, in following the directions for my "kit" I have pasteurized the straw substrate, gently crumbled the spawn and mixed into the substrate (I might try keeping the cake intact next time, since I heard that's an option -- what are your opinions on the differences?), and now it is supposed to sit in the dark for 12 days before having the soil mixed in, only to sit for another 5 days, then to be fruited, flushed, etc...
My problem is, I didn't anticipate this particular timeline all that well, and now I realize that I will be leaving town in 15 days (at which point, if I've followed the aforementioned timeline, the mushrooms will be passed the casing stage and will have been sitting in the dark with the soil covering); and the problem is, I won't be around when it is time to place them beneath the light for fruiting.
So I was wondering, can the above timeline (recommended by my kit's instructions) be played with a little bit without sacrificing my yield? How long could I possibly leave the spawn in the substrate without soil (or with soil in the casing stage?) before beginning the fruiting process?
Now I'm wishing I had left the spawn in the fridge for a while longer before beginning this process, but since I've begun, what might be my best course of action?
Thanks for your directive! I can provide pictures too, if needed. Right now the mycelium is beginning to grow through the substrate (some white lumps forming throughout) and it has been in the dark for two days now.
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FriedEgg



Registered: 09/22/14
Posts: 2,537
Loc: Taiwan
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21217301 - 02/02/15 05:34 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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I wouldn't get too hung up on the timeline. Sometimes it works out faster/slower than you expect. If you forget about it for a few days it'll still be fine.
Look up the "late casing" tek: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/7708447/fpart/all/vc/1
and: increased consolidation times http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/15181139/fpart/all/vc/1
I'm not suggesting you desperately try either one of those but it'll give you an idea of the kind of flexibility you actually have when it comes to timelines.
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FriedEgg



Registered: 09/22/14
Posts: 2,537
Loc: Taiwan
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: FriedEgg]
#21217312 - 02/02/15 05:36 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Soil? 
Can you explain the instructions that you are following?
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DrRedBush
I'm unpasteurized


Registered: 12/03/14
Posts: 1,325
Loc: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21217315 - 02/02/15 05:36 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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It should be fine if left alone for a couple extra days.
You could refrigerate the whole thing which would act as a pause button for it
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: FriedEgg]
#21217788 - 02/02/15 07:04 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
FriedEgg said: Soil? 
Can you explain the instructions that you are following?
They call it "mushroom casing soil" -- so essentially after pasteurizing and leaving sit in the dark for a while, I'm supposed to sterilize the casing soil (which the kit is designed to do so in the microwave, but mine's on the fritz so it will probably be stovetop and meat thermometer, just like I did with the straw substrate), and then I'm supposed to sprinkle it over top of the substrate and gently level it, keeping it a little airy. Is this not necessary, or how do you guys go about it? Next time I'm going to start from scratch. I suspect it will be cheaper too.
Thanks for the resources, FriedEgg! I'll probably just leave it for the extra time in the dark, then, and see what she looks like when I get back.
Redbush, if I were to pop the whole thing in the fridge for a week after the culture has been spawning for twelve days, what might be a fair estimate for when to begin fruiting? Thanks for your input. I know it must be pretty variable. I haven't (yet) got an eye for this stuff, but from what I understand I should see the straw turning mostly completely white before starting this step(?).
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mushpunx
Fungus Punk



Registered: 04/20/14
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21217947 - 02/02/15 07:36 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yea I would definitly pasturize on the stove over your microwave haha
So did this kit come with spawn already colonized or you had to innoculant it yourself?
The substrate is just chopped up straw?
Once your substrate is 100% colonized you have the option of adding the casing layer. Cubensis doesnt need a casing but since you have it yea go ahead and case it. It also can colonize in ambient light, doesnt need to be kept in darkness at any point. Light is benificial
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FriedEgg



Registered: 09/22/14
Posts: 2,537
Loc: Taiwan
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: mushpunx]
#21218038 - 02/02/15 07:57 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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^ like mushpunkx said, stove pasteurization is much better. and even though the casing is optional, you'll probably get much better results using it. Casing layers will make your grow much easier and forgiving.
What does your fruiting chamber look like?
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: FriedEgg]
#21218282 - 02/02/15 08:41 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Thanks folks!
You guys would LAUGH at what they sent me, I bet, lol. The best part, though, was that the spawn they shipped me is already colonized (and from what I read on other threads on this website, that is illegal lol). So I didn't need to think about injecting spores or anything. I'm going to do that next time, though, and hopefully try out some different strains.
My "fruiting chamber" is merely a plastic see-through dome thing that will sit on top of the case (which is legit just the grow bag filled with substrate and the crumbled spawn mixed together and sitting in a cardboard tray). I'll definitely make something for next time, ha ha.
So essentially, I can start them underneath lights whenever I choose as long as everything is sterilized? The guide recommends that in the fruiting phase I expose the kit to light for 12hours daily to activate fruiting and that I use a low wattage bulb (25W maximum) at a minimum distance of 1meter away. I was thinking I'd just leave it in my living room for some indirect light, and put it in the closet for the dark cycle; but what would you folks suggest? I've been careful to follow the guide so far because they are so adamant on following it so that nothing goes wrong, ha ha...But so far this seems a lot less maintenance than growing cannabis, although more potential for contamination I guess (and that's what I've been paranoid about).
I'll scan and attach a picture of the Casing and Fruiting section and see what you guys think:

Thanks!
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21218297 - 02/02/15 08:44 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Also, RE: the picture I posted, where it says to "water the casing soil" (or at least keep it moist) -- I was under the assumption that this was incorrect, and that I should instead be coating the inside of the dome (above the tray) with light mists of water, rather than actually watering the casing soil itself.
Which is correct?
Cheers!
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FriedEgg



Registered: 09/22/14
Posts: 2,537
Loc: Taiwan
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21218451 - 02/02/15 09:10 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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That set up will probably work. 
Where it says the light should be a "minimum" distance of 1 meter... That doesn't matter. I've seen people put lights inside their fruiting chambers with good success. I personally have my light about 8" away from my monotubs. Regarding the type of light... Just any standard lightbulb won't work. Make sure you get a 6500k bulb from a hardware store. They are often sold as energy saving "daylight" bulbs.
No, you need to mist the substrate, not the walls. The walls don't grow Don't pay attention to the "mist 1-3 times daily". Just mist when/if it looks like it's dry. You just want to keep the humidity as high as possible, not get it "wet".
By the way, giving it a 12/12 hr cycle of light now would help. You don't have to worry about giving it light too early. It helps the mycelium get on a circadian rhythm.
Are there any holes in that lid? I'm wondering how it's going to get FAE (fresh air exchange)
If you're unsure of anything during your grow, feel free to bump this thread with a pic or two.
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FriedEgg



Registered: 09/22/14
Posts: 2,537
Loc: Taiwan
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: FriedEgg]
#21218466 - 02/02/15 09:14 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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By the way, do some research on "field capacity". It'll help you get the proper moisture content in your casing layer.
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mushpunx
Fungus Punk



Registered: 04/20/14
Posts: 13,394
Last seen: 2 months, 8 days
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: FriedEgg]
#21220200 - 02/03/15 09:40 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yea dude depending on where you live, colonized spawn is uber illegal.
So thry sent you live spawn, what is the substrate? Just straw?
Honestly one of the hardest parts of growing mushrooms is getting good, contaminant free spawn (harder than you might think).
This is actually one of the better kits honestly if it teaches you to spawn to a bulk substrate , pasturizing and casing. You just need to learn to produce your own spawn.
Most of us fruit in monotubs , google it. The tub is the fruiting chamber. Can you post a pic of yours?
As for lighting, while its colonizing ambient lighting id good. Like in your living room with the lights on. When you fruit it that is when you move it under special lighting, the myth about mushrooms needing to grow in the dark has bedn dispelled.
The lighting they sufguest, I think is wrong. Go buy a florescent light, compact florescent that fits in a regular socket will do, and make sure it is in 6500K. 12 on 12 off.
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: mushpunx]
#21352724 - 03/02/15 04:41 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for your very helpful feedback, folks!
I began the fruiting phase, and I am seeing a few (very small) mushroom caps popping up. I'll attach some pictures here.
The only thing I am wondering about now is the odd turquoise-greeny spots on the corners/perimeter of my kit. They are not VERY pronounced, but are nonetheless apparent (see attached). It seems to be only on the perimeter and one strong patch in the one corner. Is this normal, par chance? I've heard of things starting to turn a bit blue in the process(?), but the green sounds to be the unpleasant stuff. Hopefully these pictures paint a clear picture!
The instruction manual advises that I dump salt on it ASAP. What do you folks recommend? Will this ruin the kit completely, and is it a confirmed contaminant? Is it at all mitigable?
Thanks again!
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: FriedEgg]
#21352782 - 03/02/15 04:51 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Where it says the light should be a "minimum" distance of 1 meter... That doesn't matter. I've seen people put lights inside their fruiting chambers with good success. I personally have my light about 8" away from my monotubs. Regarding the type of light... Just any standard lightbulb won't work. Make sure you get a 6500k bulb from a hardware store. They are often sold as energy saving "daylight" bulbs.
No, you need to mist the substrate, not the walls. The walls don't grow Don't pay attention to the "mist 1-3 times daily". Just mist when/if it looks like it's dry. You just want to keep the humidity as high as possible, not get it "wet".
By the way, giving it a 12/12 hr cycle of light now would help. You don't have to worry about giving it light too early. It helps the mycelium get on a circadian rhythm.
Are there any holes in that lid? I'm wondering how it's going to get FAE (fresh air exchange)
If you're unsure of anything during your grow, feel free to bump this thread with a pic or two.
After rereading this post, I can see where the air flow thing might've been an issue:
The kit came with a clear plastic lid to go over the casing and had a sticker on the air hole up top, and I didn't think about taking it off at the time, ha ha, so that could've allowed too much moisture to build up and cause some surface mould? That's kinda what my rookie speculations are telling me, anyway. As I said, it's not too pronounced, almost like a light-blue sort of thing that appears to be proliferating. Hopefully it's OK because the small growth up top has been encouraging! It's only been out of total darkness on a 12/12 for maybe three days.
T
Edited by GreenKnight (03/02/15 04:52 PM)
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r00tuuu123
Now I'm just really piseed



Registered: 04/20/12
Posts: 8,507
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21352835 - 03/02/15 05:06 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Well op you definately have shrooms print as many as you can before it trichs up. You can consider this grow a success. since you actualy got fruits. Next time DIY it.
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: r00tuuu123]
#21353537 - 03/02/15 07:42 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for your thoughts, r00tuu! Any take on the sort of blue-ish/light-greeny stuff on the corner of the box?
And I'll definitely DIY next time. I'm going to build myself a nice little box. Looks like you guys have some pretty cool little rigs!
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Guardian187
Neophyte


Registered: 11/29/14
Posts: 716
Loc: Center of the Universe
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21353588 - 03/02/15 07:51 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Looks like trichoderma! I got it once, no fun.
You should be able to get some fruits before it takes over and as mentioned above collect some prints!
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/16815139
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r00tuuu123
Now I'm just really piseed



Registered: 04/20/12
Posts: 8,507
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Last seen: 8 years, 10 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: Guardian187]
#21353752 - 03/02/15 08:23 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: Guardian187]
#21353816 - 03/02/15 08:40 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Hmm, alright, from what I've read on the trichoderma, it's non-toxic and the fruits won't absorb any of it, right? So basically I might not get more than one flush, maybe?
The instructions suggest that I dump salt on the greeny spots. Is there merit to this, especially since it's still early? Thanks for linking that thread, r00tuu. Seems like there are some mixed opinions on it there: it might just pop up all over the place after salting... But anyway, I tried it and soaked liberally with water (as one poster suggested), so we'll see if that helps or not. It shouldn't contaminate the fruit at all though, correct?
I'll look into the prints thing... That looks like a whole other beast altogether haha...I will check it out with fresh eyes tomorrow.
Thanks!
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r00tuuu123
Now I'm just really piseed



Registered: 04/20/12
Posts: 8,507
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: GreenKnight]
#21353865 - 03/02/15 08:54 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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The trich will win out but since it's only the one corner it'll probably buy you some time to get a decent first flush. Just be careful you don't inhale any trich spores. You'll feel like someone punched you in the face about 50 times,for a week. talk about fun.
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
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Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Re: Introduction & Question Regarding Growth Timeline [Re: r00tuuu123]
#21354299 - 03/02/15 10:40 PM (9 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for the input!
Is it very unhealthy for it to stay in your house? It's just in my living room haha, not really a special place. Living room and closet.
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Hey everybody,
Just posting a quick picture update. Some exciting growth is happening, yet the bluey-green substance appears resilient! However, it is not taking over quite like the pictures of trichoderma that I've seen (and from what I've read, many people are complaining that this stuff takes over after 24-48hours).
Please see the attached. I've swabbed the greeny-blue areas with several q-tips and I can't get any powdery residue to scrape off the mycellium (at least at this point), and so I was wondering if this MIGHT be bruising (but it doesn't appear to be BLUE enough to be bruising). Also, the rest of the casing is not contaminated at all and appears to be solid white throughout (although the very heart of it could be green as can be -- I can't tell, yet!). I was thinking, though, that if this is indeed trichoderma then it should've proliferated even more by now. I was wondering if the discolouration might be a side effect of humidity(?), either not enough or too much RH.
Also, there's some interesting growth happening on the sides of my casing -- with some large brown caps appearing in random places (see attached).
I'm going to be leaving town tomorrow until Sunday. Do you think it will be OK if left alone in the dark for a few days? And should I give the top of the casing a really thorough SOAKING so that it doesn't dry out as bad when I come back? Could I think about adding a LOT of water to try to supplement for my absence?
Thanks in advance for all your thoughtful replies! I'm really having a blast with the whole process, even though I might have some contamination issues. I've been learning a lot throughout and will certainly DIY it next time.


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r00tuuu123
Now I'm just really piseed



Registered: 04/20/12
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That bottom section in the 2nd to last pic looks like the Sahara desert.
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GreenKnight


Registered: 01/29/15
Posts: 15
Loc: The Enchanted Forest
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
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Quote:
r00tuuu123 said: That bottom section in the 2nd to last pic looks like the Sahara desert.
Haha, yes I thought so! I don't think I'm getting the right humidity, and it could probably do with some more water. That picture was taken right before watering. It seems that the outside is particularly dry compared to the centre -- and that's exactly where the bluey stuff is coming in.
Also, I see that the bluey substance is on the bottom part of some of the VERY small mushrooms as well. From what I read about Trichoderma is that mushrooms don't actually absorb contaminants but absorb metal -- so might that blueing be bruising or something? I've only see trich affect the actual casing, but never actually on the mushrooms themselves.
Thanks for the replies, r00t!
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