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Toadstool5
A Registered Mycophile



Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 1,359
Loc: The Golden State
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Quote:
Soaking is such a pain in the ass.
Agreed! Aint nobody got time for that! fuck soaking
OP, follow the PF-TEK exactly before you experiment if you want to experience more success than failure.
OR learn about agar, grains, bulk substrates, casings, and monotubs.
You basically can not fail, IF and only if, you follow directions until you understand the biology of whatever species you are working with.
-------------------- If you do not know where the mushroom products you are consuming are grown, think twice before eating them. - Paul Stamets AMU Teks Stro's Write Ups
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Nagakush23
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Registered: 08/02/15
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Toadstool5]
#22089248 - 08/13/15 09:17 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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1.When spawning bfr cakes do I need to sterilize the bag I break down the cakes into. Also do I need to sterilize the container that I place broken bfr cakes into.
2. Substrate, it functions as food mycelium? and what are the functions of water in the equation of the mixture. I am familiar with the pH level of water. I'm asking this to inquire information about using a more acidic solvent and was wondering what results might I gain from attempting such an endeavor
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tetherface
get in where you fit in



Registered: 10/05/14
Posts: 553
Loc: wild
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Nagakush23]
#22089497 - 08/13/15 10:52 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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1.no you don't need to sterilize the bag before hand ziplocks are very clean right outta the box. you sanitize the container in which you put it into just wash it out with dish soap and water then if you want SANITIZE by spraying iso on a paper towel and wiping it out. Why are you putting the cakes in a bag to begin with? if you plan on using them as spawn you'd be better off using a cheese grater to finely grind them down. 2.yes food for the mycelium and more importantly water since mushrooms are 90+% water you'll be needing lots of that which is why you wouldn't want to substitute a "more acidic solvent" are you using a TEK? or are you combining more than one? just as stated above follow a tek to the T there is no room for error in this hobby especially on your first grow. the methods are there, the research has been done all you have to do is read and follow instructions at least until you get a few grows under your belt good luck edit: check these out lots of great info. franks http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17897163#17897163 eatualive's references(my fave reference) http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8553541
Edited by tetherface (08/13/15 10:59 PM)
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Nagakush23
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: tetherface]
#22089547 - 08/13/15 11:07 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Thanks for the info, I was only brainstorming and I was thinking that the pH level of the solvent would have an effect of the colonization process as well as the fruiting stage, again thanks
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spacechildo
proletarians rise up



Registered: 01/24/13
Posts: 19,243
Loc: Babylon
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: tetherface]
#22090010 - 08/14/15 04:59 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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no, no one does anything special to their tubs before spawning, you can use a cheese grate to break the cakes up and not a bag.
Quote:
tetherface said: franks http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17897163#17897163
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FreeWorldOrder


Registered: 12/24/13
Posts: 2,002
Loc: Indiana, USA
Last seen: 8 days, 7 hours
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: spacechildo] 1
#22090314 - 08/14/15 08:12 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Watch the RR video clips in my signature.
Purchasing the complete video set would be even better yet.
The complete set has pretty much everything you will need to know.
Most of the different procedures and different substrates, methods and materials are outlined. It is the best investment I have made in this hobby ($10), (along with a pressure cooker)....
-------------------- "They who can give up essential liberty, to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin Lets Grow Mushrooms Videos PastyWhyte's Easy Agar TEK Agar's Liquid Inoculant TEK
Edited by FreeWorldOrder (08/14/15 08:14 AM)
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Toadstool5
A Registered Mycophile



Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 1,359
Loc: The Golden State
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I just clean my trays with soap and water but i spawn to pasteurized CVG not sterilized. CVG is very beginner friendly too, it doesnt contam easily in my experience.
Dont worry about pH, here's some info if you do choose to worry about it 
Quote:
Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, the panel concluded that a pH of 4.6 is appropriate to control spore-forming pathogens.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/SafePracticesforFoodProcesses/ucm094145.htm
Quote:
CH HELL said: Here is part of my additives thread. #4 Lime and Calcium Carbonate(Cali sand, chalk, c. lime). Adds Ca(not much) and raises PH levels, it is a long term PH buffer. H Lime is preferred for immediate results but is short acting PH buffer. I recommend using Ca carb and H. lime with gypsum, this way you get an immediate PH raise and a long term buffer that doesn't get major PH swings that can be harmful to fungus. I won't recommend a amount to use because all subs and casing are different, just be sure to start with small amount(1/4tsp or less). Be sure when buying any type of lime it doesn't contain Dolomite or Dolomitic lime it contains Magnesium witch will harm mycelium. Ca carb can be used alone as a substrate additive 1/4 cup per gal of substrate is a good start, less is fine when using gypsum. Ca carb is faster acting then gypsum so I recommend using both together for best results.
Quote:
Psuper said:
Oyster shell is calcium carbonate, hydrated lime is calcium hydroxide. We use hydrated lime or oyster shell flour to raise the pH. Gypsum helps hold the pH steady, but this is NOT what a pH buffer is. I know people constantly refer to gypsum as a "buffer", but that's not what that word denotes in chemistry. Crushed oyster shell is only used for texture, it is oyster shell flour that raises the pH.
You are supposed to wait at least an hour after making up your casing layer mix before testing the pH. Also, if you follow RR's tek for prepping the 50/50+ you add the vermiculite after testing/adjusting the pH. Hope this helps. ~Pixie~
Quote:
Correct. Gypsum is not a pH buffer. Gypsum is used to supply calcium and sulfur.
Oyster shells, egg shells, calcium carbonate, etc., are all piss-poor buffers for casings because they take a month or more to become effective, even when powdered. That's why you want to use hydrated lime. It's water soluble and raises pH immediately.
NEVER USE BAKING SODA IN YOUR CASING LAYERS! It's not an appropriate way to raise pH, and is highly toxic to mycelium.
Substrates don't need a pH correction. Mushroom mycelium actually prefers an acidic pH and grows fastest when the pH is between 5 and 6. However, since casing layers usually don't fully colonize, we buffer them to a pH of about 8 to help prevent mold spores from germinating. The live mushroom mycelium can tolerate a high pH, but it's hard for spores to germinate. RR
You can make it acidic to control mold and encourage growth but its better to start slightly basic at 8 to control mold than at 4.6. If you start at 8 by the time the mycelium is fully colonized and cosolidated the organic acids will build up and lower the pH to about 4 to 6.5 which is the ideal range for mycelium. If you start at 4.6 by the time it is ready to fruit the poor thing will probably stall some with a pH of 2 to 4 even though they can handle extremes 
Some species do require a lower pH and citric acid is used but cubes is not one of those species.
-------------------- If you do not know where the mushroom products you are consuming are grown, think twice before eating them. - Paul Stamets AMU Teks Stro's Write Ups
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Nagakush23
Stranger
Registered: 08/02/15
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Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Toadstool5]
#22105860 - 08/18/15 09:12 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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does this look contaminated
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spacechildo
proletarians rise up



Registered: 01/24/13
Posts: 19,243
Loc: Babylon
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Nagakush23]
#22105926 - 08/18/15 09:34 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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very blurry, but if there's slimey wet stuff on the right of that front cake its not good.
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Nagakush23
Stranger
Registered: 08/02/15
Posts: 36
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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 does this look contaminated
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Nagakush23
Stranger
Registered: 08/02/15
Posts: 36
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Nagakush23]
#22106142 - 08/18/15 10:39 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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 Contamination?
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tetherface
get in where you fit in



Registered: 10/05/14
Posts: 553
Loc: wild
Last seen: 6 years, 6 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Nagakush23]
#22106230 - 08/18/15 11:09 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I cant really tell but I think its ok. your dry verm layer looks super thin next time use at least 1/2" of dry verm on top because on pf-tek that is your filter or do you have a filter on top? I use grain jar lids on my pf stuff and have good results. and why didn't you fill your jars up to the lip at the bottom of the ring?
Edited by tetherface (08/18/15 11:15 AM)
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Nagakush23
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Registered: 08/02/15
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: tetherface]
#22108321 - 08/18/15 07:56 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Sorry about the late response didnt fill these jars to the top, because I noticed that for some reason jars with less substrate colonize more gracefully also in my possession I have a jar that substrate that has become dark gray in color and this discolorization does not look good at all. From a logical view point I'm thinking that this jars should be discarded before health degenerative spores are released into my living area. Last bUT least, mycelium growth looks as if it has formed a thick cloud.
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Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,810
Loc: Canada
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Nagakush23]
#22108348 - 08/18/15 08:02 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Those jars are fucked and its because you didn't make em right. The dry verm layer needs to come up to the top and hit the lids. All that space is allowing the verm to shift and nasty to get in. You need to re read.
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Pastywhyte]
#22108364 - 08/18/15 08:07 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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This is one of those hobbies where it's arguably better to know nothing at all going into it, and just follow the instructions, otherwise you'll end up overanalyzing everything and asking questions like "What is the function of water?" Just in case nobody answered that though, it's because living things get thirsty.
edit: ah, I see tether addressed that.
Edited by Inocuole (08/18/15 08:16 PM)
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Nagakush23
Stranger
Registered: 08/02/15
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Inocuole]
#22108501 - 08/18/15 08:38 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Thanks for being a smart ass, but only experimenting and I question everything within logic... will unveil the aftermath when she is ready to show herself... thanks for the explanation your advice has resolved the matter at hand.
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Nagakush23]
#22108523 - 08/18/15 08:43 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Well when someone who jokes a lot gives advice it sounds smart ass but it's still genuine advice and I doubt anyone disagrees. 
Still, take it or leave it. I just recommend taking it easy and confirming everything rather than spending too much time speculating.
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tetherface
get in where you fit in



Registered: 10/05/14
Posts: 553
Loc: wild
Last seen: 6 years, 6 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: Inocuole]
#22108542 - 08/18/15 08:46 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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true
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tetherface
get in where you fit in



Registered: 10/05/14
Posts: 553
Loc: wild
Last seen: 6 years, 6 months
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: tetherface]
#22108584 - 08/18/15 08:54 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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the best advice you can get is follow a tek to the T don't change anything until you get a few grows under your belt and a general understanding of the life cycle of the shroom and a feel for what they really need to flourish....you can defiantly do you a micro biology student...lolz
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
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Re: Student of microbiology [Re: tetherface]
#22108600 - 08/18/15 08:57 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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The main reason I said that is because oddly, out of everybody who comes through here, the people I see struggling the most are engineers and microbiology students. They both usually want to find ways to apply the skills they've invested in to this as well, and that leads to, for lack of better term, a lot of not listening. I am generalizing a bit but my main intention was to give you applicable advice, even if you didn't want to hear it. No real reason to be offended that I can see, though. I think you'll do fine if you keep at it.
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