I don't think I'm really worthy of my own casing tek, I don't do anything that unique in my casing methods. I've just learned through experiance, a few tips on how to case properly. There are many different ways(teks) to case. Most all of them will do very well if you follow a few basic parameters. The biggest thing for first time casers to keep in mind, is that the mushroom will pull most all it needs from the casing. Over humidification is a common mistake. Airflow is a major factor in mushroom development. A big mistake is to keep things sealed up with high humidity as you would when fruiting cakes. This will promote mold growth on the casings and you will rarely ever make it past the first flush. Not to mention that over humidified mushrooms tend to be long, gnarly, skinny, and in some cases, bloated.

About your questions. No I don't sterilize my casings. Many expert growers warn against sterilizing your casings because it invites contamination. Its just not natural for mycelium to live in complete sterile conditions, it leaves it wide open for attack. With some casing materials you'll still want to pasteurize. This is usually only needed when using peat, straw, compost, and dung. If using plain vermiculite or potting soil, its been my experiance that there is no preparation needed to use it. Just scoop it out of the bag and use it.

About your other question, I leave the lids on my trays until I see the first sign of mycelium coming through the top layer. Then I provide plenty of fresh air and gas exchange to keep the casing from becoming overlay. I still keep the lids on so nothing can fall onto my casings from above(dust) I just keep the lid loosely fitted on the tub and maybe even sitting to the side a bit. I make sure to mist the casing lightly when I see the top layer start to dry out. This usually happens a few times a day due to the fresh exchange.

Just remeber, don't let your terrarium/tub/tray get to humid inside. If you have water droplets on the sides from condensation(not misting) then its too much. Fresh air is the key.

Good luck to your FOAF,

The Lizard,

You ask if co2 will build up without the lid?...not at all. This is the reason for taking the lid off, to prevent co2 build up.

You really still need the lid when growing indoors. It shouldn't be sealed tight, but it needs to be there. The problem with not using a lid at all, is the mushrooms will crack and bruise them selves sometimes due to low humidity. I've had it happen several times during the winter when the furnace is running all day. There needs to be moisture in the air for good mushroom growth. It is true that the mushroom will pull most it needs from the casing, but when the surrounding air is on the dry side, the rule of osmosis still applys to the mushroom. It is made up of nearly 90% water, it will begin to dry out and crack.

So you do need to retain humidity some how with casings, you can't just grow them like a center piece on your kitchen table with no lid or means of retaining humidity. The trick is keeping the air moving while keeping your humidity up. Not too much humidity, just enough to keep the caps vicid(slimey) It can be a tough thing to do sometimes, especially in the winter time when relative humidity is low. Thats why when the temp is right, I take my setup outdoors and let mother nature do all the work. A small green house works wonders.

About the best way to fruit a casing indoors that I've found through experiance, is to let the casing rely on the moisture it already has. No additional humidification is needed. The container your fruiting in should be tall enough to grow mushrooms in and still have a top. Don't seal the top(poke holes, fit loosely, whatever) just don't seal it. If condensation starts to beed, its sealed to much. You want the lid to slow down evaporation as much as possible. As long as the casing isn't drying out quickly, and is moist ontop, the humidity in the air is about perfect for mushroom developement.

The Lizard,

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[This message has been edited by Lizard King (edited July 11, 2000).]