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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner

Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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First PF Tek Grow Journal
#23647434 - 09/15/16 12:47 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I've been reading and thinking about growing shrooms for over a year now and a few weeks ago, at 3 a.m. (when I make all my best decisions), I finally took the plunge and bought all the materials. So here I am! I decided I'd keep an ongoing journal throughout the process so I can hopefully get pointers when I need them and also just share the experience.
I'm mainly following this guide and this guide.
The first bag of vermiculite I bought was a total bust. Do not buy Black Gold! Started over with better verm.
I mixed up 2 parts vermiculite, 1 part brown rice flour, and 1 part water to fill five half-pint wide mouth jars. (Five because that's how many can comfortably fit in my pot.)

I topped the jars off with dry verm, poked holes in the lids, sealed them with aluminum foil, and dropped them in my poor man's pressure cooker for 90 minutes.

After cooling, I inoculated all the jars. Two Brazil, two Cambodian, and one PF Classic. I was pretty careful: I wore gloves and a mask, disinfected everything with 90% isopropyl alcohol, and inoculated them inside a large plastic tub. And my caution paid off! No contamination!
Four days (my first fuzzies!)

One week

I made a shotgun terrarium. All the holes are roughly 2 inches apart, but since I don't have 1/4 inch drill bit, I used a 5.5 millimeter bit. Very slightly smaller, but I imagine that'll be okay.

3 weeks and 5 days after inoculation and the cakes were finally ready to be birthed and dunked!
I had a good amount of condensation in each jar—I know I used too much of the spore solution—but they all looked pretty good otherwise.

The cakes slid out surprisingly easily with no mishaps.

I filled up a large pot with cold water and placed all the cakes in. The pot I used has a steaming insert, so I put that in to keep all the cakes submerged.

I've read that some people put their dunked cakes in the fridge, but I just left mine near a window; that kept them cool enough even if it isn't strictly necessary.
After 24 hours, I rolled the cakes in verm, rinsed and drained the perlite, lined the bottom, and placed my cakes on small aluminum foil squares.

I know I've seen people put aluminum foil under the cakes, but I'm not sure if that's outdated? Any info on that would be really appreciated.
I'm going for a 3:5 ratio of misting and fanning. I've seen some debate about it, but it seems like a good standard.
I'll be adding posts and updating this journal as I go along! Please feel free to offer suggestions and tips!
Edited by TrippyDaze (10/13/16 10:54 AM)
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Greg
always learning




Registered: 10/28/15
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23647444 - 09/15/16 12:54 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/14960167
Quote:
3. Spores are sold for microscopy use only so mycologists can ID mushrooms. If you're going to misuse them to grow a controlled substance, keep it to yourself. Any post which mentions 'such and such' vendor, will be deleted and you'll receive an official warning. Do not plug non sponsors.
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blackout


Registered: 07/16/00
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Greg]
#23647472 - 09/15/16 01:08 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Far too much water in that mixture. Did you by any chance put 2 parts water in there?
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner

Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: blackout]
#23647600 - 09/15/16 01:57 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Greg said: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/14960167
Quote:
3. Spores are sold for microscopy use only so mycologists can ID mushrooms. If you're going to misuse them to grow a controlled substance, keep it to yourself. Any post which mentions 'such and such' vendor, will be deleted and you'll receive an official warning. Do not plug non sponsors.
Thanks for the info. Removed it.
Quote:
blackout said: Far too much water in that mixture. Did you by any chance put 2 parts water in there?
It seemed like the water content was high, but I'm positive I mixed two cups of vermiculite and one cup of water. Is it possible the finer grain doesn't absorb the water as well?
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lovelaughlibs
Dopamine Slave



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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23647660 - 09/15/16 02:23 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I dont think you should inoculate those, they look way too wet :/
-------------------- Ask and ye shall receive; Seek and ye shall find.
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blackout


Registered: 07/16/00
Posts: 5,266
Last seen: 2 months, 25 days
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23647674 - 09/15/16 02:29 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
TrippyDaze said: Is it possible the finer grain doesn't absorb the water as well?
A very trustworthy user called Anno tested it and his fine stuff held more.
https://www.shroomery.org/5152/Does-fine-vermiculite-hold-more-water-than-coarse
Quote:
Test results:
Fine variety: 120 ml vermiculite, weighs 14 g, can hold 54 ml water. Coarse variety: 120 ml vermiculite, weighs 14 g, can hold 46 ml water.
As you can see, the water holding ability varies considerably between the 2 varieties. If you don't take this into account when preparing substrate, it will be either too wet or too dry.
by Anno
and another
Quote:
RogerRabbit said:
Quote:
2:1 ratio by volume. 2 parts verm, one part water. Mix well. This is field capacity.
Not always. Ambient humidity can have a great effect on the amount of moisture already in the verm. In addition, a cup of fine verm will hold more water than a cup of course verm.
Field capacity is defined as the amount which when you pick up a handful and squeeze gently, a few drops come out. If you squeeze hard, a small stream runs out for a moment.
However, verm isn't generally used at field capacity unless it's mixed with manure or coir, etc. RR
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner

Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: blackout]
#23647857 - 09/15/16 03:28 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Mixed up more vermiculite and water. Absolutely no doubt on the ratios, but it's still a soupy mess. It's just not absorbing. I'm going to head to the store and get a different brand. Thanks!
Brand made a HUGE difference.
Black Gold

Sta-Green
Edited by TrippyDaze (09/15/16 04:37 PM)
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23647984 - 09/15/16 04:12 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Those titties though... very distracting.
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23648955 - 09/15/16 10:30 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Inoculation was successful! So glad I started over with the new verm!
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jesustripped
weirdy


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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23648973 - 09/15/16 10:37 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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The colonizing jars don't have to be in the dark.
-------------------- row row row your boat gently down the stream, merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
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Wow the comparison shot though... that's fuckin crazy. Will have to remember to tell people to stay the hell away from that stuff.
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give.more
Lurker


Registered: 04/30/16
Posts: 222
Loc: Copperhead Road
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23649093 - 09/15/16 11:18 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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The black gold looks like it has a bunch of additives
-------------------- Hi, I'm Dav. It was David but I lost my ID.
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: give.more]
#23649099 - 09/15/16 11:20 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Looks like it has a bunch of fuck that shit with a sack of splinter-ended pencils..
Seriously it doesn't even look like it remotely does what verm is supposed to do. It makes mud.
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give.more
Lurker


Registered: 04/30/16
Posts: 222
Loc: Copperhead Road
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23649108 - 09/15/16 11:24 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Inocuole said: Looks like it has a bunch of fuck that shit with a sack of splinter-ended pencils..
Seriously it doesn't even look like it remotely does what verm is supposed to do. It makes mud.
Exactly. There are hints of verm dust floating, but that's the extent of it.
-------------------- Hi, I'm Dav. It was David but I lost my ID.
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: give.more]
#23649114 - 09/15/16 11:27 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Now all you gotta do is forget about these cakes and use that verm with some coir and grains and you'll be well set. I mean, as soon as you're done with the cakes anyway.
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23659100 - 09/19/16 03:26 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Day four and first hints of colonization!
Brazil

PF Classic

Cambodian
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23659116 - 09/19/16 03:34 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
jesustripped said: The colonizing jars don't have to be in the dark.
Huh. I'm sure I saw that somewhere, but I have no idea where I read it. Thanks for the info!
Quote:
Inocuole said: Looks like it has a bunch of fuck that shit with a sack of splinter-ended pencils..
Seriously it doesn't even look like it remotely does what verm is supposed to do. It makes mud.
Quote:
give.more said: The black gold looks like it has a bunch of additives
Right? The package claims it's pure vermiculite with no additives, but I'm calling bullshit. When I cleaned out my original colonizing jars, it had turned into a sludgy, wet cement mixture. Stay the hell away.
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mushboy
modboy



Registered: 04/24/05
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23659144 - 09/19/16 03:45 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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i keep jars in my china hutch. gets natural light and things have never colonized faster. jars in the dark is like sex in the dark. only our grand parents do it.
yay for growth btw..
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: mushboy]
#23659149 - 09/19/16 03:46 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
mushboy said: jars in the dark is like sex in the dark. only our grand parents do it.
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: mushboy]
#23659231 - 09/19/16 04:08 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
mushboy said: i keep jars in my china hutch. gets natural light and things have never colonized faster. jars in the dark is like sex in the dark. only our grand parents do it.
yay for growth btw..
Oh my god! Lol! You've convinced me. Jars are out and indecently exposed.
Also, thanks!
Edited by TrippyDaze (09/19/16 04:09 PM)
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23668620 - 09/22/16 04:14 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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It's been a week since I started, and it's time for another update!
I finished making my SGFC. All the holes are roughly 2 inches apart, and since I don't have 1/4 inch drill bit, I used a 5.5 millimeter bit. Very slightly smaller, but I imagine that'll be okay.

I bought perlite a few weeks ago, but it's the same brand as the vermiculite, so I'm just going to toss it and buy a new bag.
Also, because I'm already here, figured I'd give update on my jars! They're chugging along.
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23668682 - 09/22/16 04:39 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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There's not much that could've been wrong with perlite to warrant tossing it.
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blackout


Registered: 07/16/00
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23668702 - 09/22/16 04:53 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Yeah, perlite is pure white so would be hard to add crap to. The worst it can be is overly dusty. You can cut a corner off the bag and pour some water in to prewet it a bit, otherwise you can get puffs of perlite powder coming out and can breathe it in.
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: blackout]
#23669462 - 09/22/16 09:09 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Inocuole said: There's not much that could've been wrong with perlite to warrant tossing it.
Quote:
blackout said: Yeah, perlite is pure white so would be hard to add crap to. The worst it can be is overly dusty. You can cut a corner off the bag and pour some water in to prewet it a bit, otherwise you can get puffs of perlite powder coming out and can breathe it in.
Fair enough. I'm just paranoid after the vermiculite. I'll give it a shot, at least.
Also, thanks for the tip!
Edited by TrippyDaze (09/22/16 09:10 PM)
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Shineonyoucrazy
Apprentice fungi


Registered: 09/22/16
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23669498 - 09/22/16 09:28 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Hi, and sorry in advance if this isn't the proper place for this post but it is in regards to my first pf tek. I bought a mw growkit mega kit a few weeks ago, along with a few different spore syringes from two site sponsors (at least i got that right, I'm learning). I now know from reading and researching that the kit was a bust, with a bunch of unnecessary crap. The jars were my main concern on this attempt being the first ever on my part, and not having necessary time and equipment to make my own right now. That's next on my list of things to do, along with just jumping to some grain jars and substrate from outgrow and going for the monotub/tray bulk methods. I've read positive quite ups from members on here about their pf 1/2 pint brf jars. What would be the best way to go on from here? I inoculated the jars on 9/19 and they are in the tub at a constant 76F. Would it be best to say screw the kit stuff and just make a sgfc for any cakes that make it to birth? Thank you for your time!
-------------------- Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
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.... Make your own thread. You apologized in advance so you clearly knew this wasn't the right place to post.
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/newpost.php?Cat=0&Board=2&page=0
It's always best to say screw the kit stuff.
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Shineonyoucrazy
Apprentice fungi


Registered: 09/22/16
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23670287 - 09/23/16 07:39 AM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thank you. I've never used a forum before, so whole process is a bit foreign to me. I thought at the bottom it said i couldn't start a new topic being brand new here. I appreciate the helping hand! Have a good day.
-------------------- Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds
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TedTheHighlighter
Cheshire Cat


Registered: 12/09/14
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Good to know Black Gold is a waste. I was planning on getting some
-------------------- Alice asked the Cheshire Cat, who was sitting in a tree, “What road do I take?” The cat asked, “Where do you want to go?” “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?”
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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3 weeks and 5 days after inoculation and the cakes are finally ready to be birthed and dunked!
I had a good amount of condensation in each jar—I know I used too much of the spore solution—but they all looked pretty good otherwise.



The cakes slid out surprisingly easily with no mishaps.


I filled up a large pot with cold water and placed all the cakes in. The pot I used has a steaming insert, so I put that in to keep all the cakes submerged.


I've read that some people put their dunked cakes in the fridge, but I'm just leaving mine near a window; that should keep them cool enough even if it isn't strictly necessary.
Tomorrow, I'll move the dunked cakes to the fruiting chamber!
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TrippyDaze
An experimental stoner


Registered: 09/15/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 4 years, 11 months
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23733712 - 10/13/16 10:43 AM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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And we've had a successful move to the fruiting chamber! I rolled the cakes in verm, rinsed and drained the perlite, lined the bottom, and placed my cakes on small aluminum foil squares.

I know I've seen people put aluminum foil under the cakes, but I'm not sure if that's outdated? Any info on that would be really appreciated.
I'm going for a 3:5 ratio of misting and fanning. I've seen some debate about it, but it seems like a good standard.
Now here's where things get a little crazy. There's a typhoon, of all things, sweeping into town this weekend and there's a good chance my power will get knocked out. Will my cakes make it without light for possibly a few days? Is there anything I can do if it does happen?
Thanks!
Edited by TrippyDaze (10/13/16 10:46 AM)
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JacobStorm
psychedelic cartel



Registered: 07/21/15
Posts: 1,499
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: TrippyDaze]
#23733885 - 10/13/16 12:05 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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I dont like foil 
Also light from outside is all you need and no foil isn't outdated info. If the cakes sit directly on the perlite the mycelium will try to colonize it
-------------------- Rogger Rabbits Mushroom growing videos Ethnobotanical garden forum Inocuole tea TEK azur said: If you like 6th grade results, then 6th grade projects are great.
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Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: JacobStorm]
#23733899 - 10/13/16 12:13 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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What's up with all these people posting hamburgers lately?
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JacobStorm
psychedelic cartel



Registered: 07/21/15
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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23733918 - 10/13/16 12:18 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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I'm hungry inoc butt out!
-------------------- Rogger Rabbits Mushroom growing videos Ethnobotanical garden forum Inocuole tea TEK azur said: If you like 6th grade results, then 6th grade projects are great.
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wtfcrazymofo
foil hater



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Re: First PF Tek Grow Journal [Re: Inocuole]
#23733920 - 10/13/16 12:20 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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They're cupcakes.
-------------------- If you want to eat->https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8553541 Bag sealers are to bulky (my hood isn't that big) https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28622922
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JacobStorm
psychedelic cartel



Registered: 07/21/15
Posts: 1,499
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Correction. They're beef cakes.
-------------------- Rogger Rabbits Mushroom growing videos Ethnobotanical garden forum Inocuole tea TEK azur said: If you like 6th grade results, then 6th grade projects are great.
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