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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow?
    #21229720 - 02/05/15 09:38 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Hi Forum!

I am new to cultivation (a 4 month-long, strange, trip in learning), to be explained here.  I am reaching out to the experts.  So far, many of you have been instrumental in my education, and I am grateful.

It starts like this:
I bought 6, 1/2 pint jars of pre-made (and sterile) BRF substrate, from a reputable source (a Shroomery sponsor, thank you!).  I just found out my friend has a pressure cooker I can use, so this will change in the future.

I inoculated 3 with PE and 3 with Mexi-cubes, from spore syringes bought from a reputable source (thanks, Shroomery!).

The next four months would ensue...

I had zero contamination (except for some cobweb toward the end, but I beat it with H2O2), so I kept patient.  One jar had some metabolites, but I read they aren't so bad. (Correct?)  Anyway, the one with the metabolites just pinned first (now I'm getting ahead of myself).  The jars continually stalled and started.  I realize now that it was because I was running the room too hot (75-80*), and the jars were not getting enough FAE through the discs.  3 months in, I learned this.  So, I fanned them and dropped the room temperature down to 70*.  Within a week, I reached full colonization.  I waited a week, and dunked for 12 and rolled in dry verm.

Note: I started a new batch, using 1/4 pint jars in 70*, with a better FAE disc, and got full colonization in 2 weeks. So, the 1/2 pints and 1/4 pints are at about the same phase (a week apart before I dunk and roll).  I plan on breaking some of these up to try spawning to manure, but the others I will stack (to make a half-pint size), and put into my current Auto-FC.

Now, for the setup:

I built the $80 auto-terrarium I found on gamerchronic, through Google (for $120...but I made some alterations using better products).  In the future, I will be using a monotub, no doubt, and spawning from grain to manure.  (Still, I am reaching out for your comments on this particular grow).  One modification was to add a tank heater below the FC and thermostat control to monitor perlite surface temps compared to air temps inside the FC.  I also use a digital hygrometer/thermometer that came highly recommended by one of your Pros.  You will notice if you look near the external digital temp controller, you'll see that the FAE "finger" is not extended.  This was to make sure that there is always positive pressure in the FC.  Since it is limp, I can only assume that air is escaping other places.  I am running a fogger setup for 1 hour out of every 3 (a lot, I know, but I was having problems keeping RH higher than 92%).  During that hour, an air pump blows through an air stone and fills the FC.  Now, I get 99% RH. See pictures below:









After 5 days, I had (what I think is) rhizomorphic mycelium attempting to colonize the humid air (I know you can't colonize air).  I am concerned that it is cobweb, back again.  What do you think?







After more research, I developed a new hypothesis from an old concern (mentioned above)...FAE.  Maybe, it is not cobweb, but maybe they are not getting enough FAE (you know, since the FAE "finger" is limp...so many jokes).  So, I started fanning my "Auto" terrarium 3x/day (days 4,5,6).  On day 7 (yesterday), I found this little guy! (the reddish myc is from some rust, and doesn't seem to be an issue)



So...I got a pin...whoopee!  Today, I adjusted the fogger to run only half hour every 3 hours (15 was recommended, so long as I could keep R up...I can't at 15 minutes per 3 hours).  To take care of the FAE issue, I took the air pump off the timer and am running it constantly.  I also run a 75-watt (comparable), 6500K bulb, 12/12.

Am I on the right track?  Can you assist with my other questions/concerns, too?  What about the little white balls on the cakes?

I am learning here, and just want this grow to go well, before I graduate to bulk and monotubs.  Thanks, Pros!!!


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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Invisibleazur
God of Fuck
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Registered: 04/21/12
Posts: 28,103
Loc: Daid
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21229772 - 02/05/15 09:55 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Oh man, that's a lot of back and forth to read.
Jars don't need fae. They need gas exchange.
75-80 is nit too hot.
You don't need a pc for pf tek. Just a pot of water.
Not sure about a fogger. When i did pf tek i used and ultrasonic humidifier. Fogger should work. But these days i think the standard is a sgfc.
And that cake, i don't think it's rust. How would rust get there?


--------------------


A cube is NOT a cube.

FALL IN LOVE WITH LC
FOTTSE!!!
ALL NOOBS READ THIS!!!


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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
Trusted Cultivator
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21229774 - 02/05/15 09:55 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

that is some nasty looking mold

take the fogger, heating pad, and any other gadgets and put them in a box. take that box and put it in the closet.

now take your terrarium and drill/melt 1/4" holes in a 2"x2" grid pattern.

then fully hydrate your perlite to its holding capacity.

ditch contaminated cake then continue to fan & mist daily.

http://www.mushroomvideos.com/Terrarium-Tek

the sooner you do this, the better your flush is gonna be.

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: Munchauzen]
    #21234553 - 02/06/15 10:05 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Thanks a lot, azur and Munchausen!

Azur,

Imagine all the back and fourth that goes on between my ears :smile:  Years ago, I was extremely and clinically OCD. I turned to mushrooms and years later, I live a pretty normal life...sans non-ruminating thoughts.  It allowed me to look inside myself (and my disorder) from an external viewpoint (I think we've all been there on a trip...once or ten times).  Thanks for the info. The rust got there because the cakes took so long to colonize that the lid started to rust from the inside and the moisture from the colonizing made sure of it.

Munchausen,

LOVE IT!  In the closet they go.  I am no one to argue with experience.  Many thanks.

Ahhh yes, nasty mold it was.  H2O2 may have saved the day.  Ugh.

As far as hydrating the perlite to capacity...the first time I put it in a bucket full of water, then strained it out.  Is that what we're talking about here; or, are you asking me to put water in bottom of the FC with the perlite?

I'll keep you guys posted.  Very grateful, I am, for you.

Cheers!


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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InvisibleFungus Mountain
Poke-N-Squirt
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Registered: 10/16/14
Posts: 1,188
Loc: Front row @ the Freakshow
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234573 - 02/06/15 10:18 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Sounds like you have a good method for hydrating your perlite. Your just looking to soak the perlite and then drain, so you can have damp rocks in the bottom of your FC. This will slowly release humidity as air rises thru the bottom of your FC.

:goodluck:


--------------------
“Until they became conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”
George Orwell, 1984

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
Albert Einstein

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234667 - 02/06/15 10:44 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Munchausen,

How many times are you misting and fanning?  Also, what keeps the perlite from falling out of the bottom holes?  Should I add screen to the bottom before adding the perlite?

Many thanks!

And, thank you, Fungus Mountain.


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
Trusted Cultivator
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234733 - 02/06/15 11:02 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

a little bit will fall out, but not much. not enough to where you need to worry about it. I would worry more that putting an additional screen or something under the perlite might actually hender the sgfc.

the device works on passive air currents being created by the moistened perlite. it pulls air up through the bottom, saturates it with moisture, then it flows out the top/sides.

you should mist and fan usually 2-5 times a day. pay attention to your cakes. if they look and feel dry, you probably need to mist more frequently. if they are moist to the touch, they don't need further misting.

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234752 - 02/06/15 11:05 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Is it strange that I find the drilling of a couple hundred holes....therapeutic?! lol


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234768 - 02/06/15 11:09 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

As far as misting goes, I've read different things.

Munchausen, are you misting the cakes, the walls, the...?  A few sprays?  Spray for a few minutes? 

What about the best fanning technique...

You guys are awesome!  I believe in being good to people...and karma.


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
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Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234792 - 02/06/15 11:16 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

just mist the cakes. misting the walls won't do anything. the moisture will quickly evaporate and go out the holes, never coming close to the mushrooms. just mist them until the surface is wet and gleaming.

for fanning just take the lid of your sgfc and woft it back and forth over the tub a few times. you don't need to count or anything. just a nice strong woft to displace all the air currently inside the box with new air. this will create an immediate drop in rH, which then leads to further evaporation of moisture from your substrate, and thus pinning.

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: Munchauzen]
    #21234817 - 02/06/15 11:21 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Do I need to run a fan in the room like it tells me for a mono?


I can't wait to keep you all updated.  So many thanks!


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
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Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234834 - 02/06/15 11:25 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

you should specifically not run a fan in a room for a sgfc. again, it uses passive air currents that it will create itself. it needs still air in the room to do this.

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: Munchauzen]
    #21234852 - 02/06/15 11:29 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Am I driving you crazy, yet?  Can you tell I'm excited?!

What about temperature and 12/12 lighting?  My house is at 67*, so I'd need a mild heat source for anything higher (Fiancée won't let me keep the house at 70*...but she'll let me grow mushies...go figure).  I have a 6500K light I could use...


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
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Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21234863 - 02/06/15 11:31 AM (9 years, 11 months ago)

no heat. 67 is fine. 6500k light is best. 12/12 is best.

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: Munchauzen]
    #21235174 - 02/06/15 01:00 PM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Munchauzen, how can I ever repay you...

Sorry to bring you in to my world of OCD.  Thank God for mushies to bring me out.

Thanks sooooo much.


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21235325 - 02/06/15 01:46 PM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Better Tek...


Listening to experts is the best way to become one.


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
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Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21235553 - 02/06/15 02:45 PM (9 years, 11 months ago)

if you have any more perlite, you could add it. just keep tabs on its moisture level by running your fingers through the perlite. the top will often feel dry, but just underneath it should remain moist for a few weeks. with that amount of perlite, I would anticipate rehydrating it 2 weeks after it was first hydrated. 5" of perlite will last around a month.

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InvisibleBig Bear
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Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: IMBiff]
    #21235631 - 02/06/15 03:05 PM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Yo OP,

Check out this thread http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/20195542#20195542


Will change the game for ya!  Also after you've read that and understand your fruiting chamber, click the link in my signature "click me if you like to learn" for more quality information.  Knowledge is power


--------------------
Need help growing? Ask AMU for hassle free answers.

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time...

Edited by Big Bear (02/06/15 03:05 PM)

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InvisibleMunchauzen
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Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,348
Trusted Cultivator
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: Big Bear]
    #21235698 - 02/06/15 03:23 PM (9 years, 11 months ago)

:whathesaid:

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OfflineIMBiff
Learning Sponge

Registered: 01/08/15
Posts: 152
Loc: The Rabbit Hole, Wonderland
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
Re: A long, strange, trip...advice? Where can I improve? How is my grow? [Re: Munchauzen]
    #21236013 - 02/06/15 04:31 PM (9 years, 11 months ago)

Very good info, Munchauzen. I just PRIMED more perlite (Lowe's was out :frown:). I appreciate understanding how to get the most out of the perlite.

Big Bear,

Good stuff man!! How did you know us "obsessives" love to understand the mechanics of things?! I'll have it memorized by tomorrow...lol...but really...good stuff. I'm looking forward to checking out your link, too.

You guys rock..Thank you, thank you for saving my grow (and all future grows)!


--------------------
I am here to be a sponge and to soak up as much wisdom as possible from the all knowing...I am grateful for you.


For noobs like me, click here:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21938807

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