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poofterFroth
Feel Like A Stranger



Registered: 03/15/14
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Last seen: 25 days, 2 hours
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Straw Pasteurization using Soap
#21706029 - 05/21/15 11:32 AM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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So, I've been experimenting pasteurizing straw using only extremely soapy water. I read about this method on the Aloha site and I know of one local farmer who uses this technique(unfortunately, he's not very forthcoming).
I'm soaking my chopped wheat straw anywhere from 16-24 hrs., draining and then inoculating with oyster spawn once its had time to dry to the proper moisture content.
Colonization seems a bit slower with my blue oyster and popcorn oyster, yet the pinks moved really fast. I think its working as I've now got a few logs pinning that just got tossed into the grow room. 
Just wondering if anyone else has experience with this method? I've found a couple of threads that touched on it but they were pretty old. There was one mention of rinsing the straw after the soak, but I've been skipping that step because I've read elsewhere its not necessary.
If everything keeps working in my favor, I'm looking to rig up a pump and cycle the soap water back through the straw/holding tank to eliminate any waste water - using only whats needed.
Any comments, or experienced advise would be appreciated. I'm looking to up my production/profits as I reduce all of my costs and waste.
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deadmandave
Slime


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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: poofterFroth]
#21707070 - 05/21/15 04:42 PM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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I've used laundry detergent on straw many times with great success. I use about 1/3-1/2 cup per 35 gallons of water.
The laundry detergent contains sodium percarbonate which is also known as oxy-clean. It oxidizes any contaminants in the straw.
What type of soap have you been using?
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SpinScratch
Distrusted Cultivator


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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: deadmandave]
#21707662 - 05/21/15 07:45 PM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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how long before we have a washing machine tek?
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poofterFroth
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Registered: 03/15/14
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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: SpinScratch]
#21708025 - 05/21/15 09:03 PM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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I've used several different kinds so far. Dawn or Ajax dish soap, - powdered Tide one time.. Pretty much just whatever I have around or is the cheapest.
From what I've gathered is the soap breaks the water tension allowing it to penetrate the straw down to the cellular level. Something to do with osmotic pressure and such.
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zinglebery
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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: poofterFroth]
#21708348 - 05/21/15 10:26 PM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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I too have tried this after reading about it on the aloha site.I only did my first batch a few days ago and (hopefully) they are now colonising.I tried it because of the harshness of lime as I tend to splash it around a bit.I used about 3 cups for 44 gallons.I'll update this thread when I have moved them into fruiting room and hope you do the same.I just used homebrand liquid laundry wash (supposedly eco friendly).Also,I have not chopped my straw and have had no problems colonising.
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solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: zinglebery]
#21709072 - 05/22/15 03:25 AM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yea, I usually put my straw in on a cotton wash at 160f. Stop it just before the spin cycle to add the spawn. I guess that makes it a bit dizzy as the mushrooms come out all spiraly.
The grow room smells of laundry too.
This is pretty advanced growing though, dont try this at home.
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
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t3chnobily
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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: solarity]
#21709220 - 05/22/15 05:55 AM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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ROFL
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poofterFroth
Feel Like A Stranger



Registered: 03/15/14
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Re: Straw Pasteurization using Soap [Re: solarity]
#21709261 - 05/22/15 06:22 AM (8 years, 8 months ago) |
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Actually some sort of large centrifugal straw drying machine would be excellent. It could potentially save lots of time and space. - No more waiting around for hours on end for wet straw to dry sufficiently or wasting tons of table space for it to be layed out on while it does.
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