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oppsicle
Strangest



Registered: 04/23/15
Posts: 80
Last seen: 1 year, 10 months
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Coir Tek: Top layer or no?
#23800762 - 11/04/16 02:09 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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The last coir tek I perused recommended saving a bit of the substrate mixture aside from mixing with the spawn, and then spread the remainder as a top layer over the mixed spawn/substrate.
Anyone with experience with both methods, do you think this top layer is beneficial or is it better to just mix it all up evenly?
I've only done a top layer once, and I'm leaning towards just mix it all together, but curious what folks with more experience both ways think.
-------------------- Be free, my little ones! In my belly. Free in my belly.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: oppsicle]
#23800928 - 11/04/16 03:15 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I just mix
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freespeech
disciple



Registered: 12/12/08
Posts: 1,745
Loc: PNW
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: bodhisatta]
#23800993 - 11/04/16 03:43 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I do the top layer. Either way is fine.
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Mushierage
SWIM Sinker



Registered: 06/29/16
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: freespeech]
#23802452 - 11/05/16 04:03 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I've done both ways. I honestly haven't tested this enough to notice a difference.
I like to put a little over the top of any exposed grain though.
-------------------- Don't like researching posts? Read this! . Also, if you're new and your posts contain the words: Humidifer, incubator, air-stone, or heater, then you need to read and UTFSE before asking people to review your setup. OR... You should be cultivating reptiles and fish, not mushrooms.
  
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2shoes
The anti-agar



Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 3,124
Loc: Not in a SAB
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: bodhisatta]
#23802507 - 11/05/16 05:31 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
bodhisatta said: I just mix
cubes don't need a casing.
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filthyknees
no coincidence


Registered: 03/08/13
Posts: 6,283
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: 2shoes]
#23802546 - 11/05/16 06:12 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Top layer is how large_dose outlined his monos. I've used a 1/4inch casing applied at spawning and fruited, the upside to that is there is less steps (taping holes, removing tape) and no need to do anything at all until harvest about two weeks later.
I wouldn't bother applying an extremely thin casing at spawning, I'd either to 1/4in or no casing
No casing obviously works fine too, just got to manage fae better than a tub with a casing. The idea of monos to be set and forget makes me like the casing at spawning. But I know both work fine.
-------------------- But if you're in a hurry, and really got to go If you're in a hurry, might have to find out slow That it's one thing to try and another to fly You get there quicker just a step at a time It's one thing to bark, another to bite The show ain't over till you pack up at night
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2shoes
The anti-agar



Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 3,124
Loc: Not in a SAB
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: filthyknees]
#23802561 - 11/05/16 06:29 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Im lazy, use spores and also find the casing gets embedded in the base of the mushroom which is why I don't case, fruit at spawning and use tubs off the shelf (no holes or poly)
Cubes are very hardy and forgiving proper prep is the "hardest" part.
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freespeech
disciple



Registered: 12/12/08
Posts: 1,745
Loc: PNW
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: 2shoes]
#23803142 - 11/05/16 11:51 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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We're not talking about a casing here. We're talking about a thin layer of substrate material at spawning time, which gets fully colonized during the spawn run.
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2shoes
The anti-agar



Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 3,124
Loc: Not in a SAB
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: freespeech]
#23803310 - 11/05/16 12:48 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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What's the point? A pre casing casing?! Making it more complicated than it should be.
If its cube spawn I vote mix it all up and fruit.
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mushboy
modboy



Registered: 04/24/05
Posts: 32,281
Loc: where?
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: 2shoes]
#23803330 - 11/05/16 12:53 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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i only add a 'top layer' to cover exposed grains/even out the substrate.
it IS NOT a casing layer. those are two different things.
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Kenetic
Nam Sayin



Registered: 08/24/14
Posts: 4,389
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: mushboy]
#23803428 - 11/05/16 01:34 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I add a top layer. I get better results than just mixing, which I did for years before
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2shoes
The anti-agar



Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 3,124
Loc: Not in a SAB
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: mushboy]
#23803440 - 11/05/16 01:39 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Sounds like a waste of time, but I'm sure a half ass case at spawning would work though.
Mix spawn with bulk Pour into bag that will be used as liner Spread until surface is even/level Cut bag at substrate level Fruit
All can be done in the same day with no colonization time.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: 2shoes] 1
#23803467 - 11/05/16 01:50 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I don't use a top layer. I get faster time to pinning I feel and more even pinsets. Goes to show do what works for you. Or pick someone to be your shroomery boyfriend and listen to what they tell you to do
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: 2shoes]
#23803601 - 11/05/16 02:48 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
2shoes said: What's the point? A pre casing casing?! Making it more complicated than it should be.
If its cube spawn I vote mix it all up and fruit.
Two casings? Not ideal at all. You can put a top layer covering your mixed substrate and spawn. I think it works pretty well myself.
Or you can case at 100% colonization. I find benefits to casings, and I'll not likely stop using that top layer. It really depends on your environmental conditions too. What I like about a casing, is I can dial up the FAE a bit more without losing too much moisture.
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spacechildo
proletarians rise up


Registered: 01/24/13
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Loc: Babylon
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: bodhisatta]
#23803643 - 11/05/16 03:04 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
bodhisatta said: I don't use a top layer. I get faster time to pinning I feel and more even pinsets. Goes to show do what works for you.
this is my experience with top layers as well.
the thought of exposed grains drying out in a taped up monotub is pretty far fetched, it wont happen. cant really see it being a problem in trays covered with alu foil either but I dont have as much exp with that as monos.
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: spacechildo]
#23803648 - 11/05/16 03:07 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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That is the case if you're taping up the tub for colonization. But if you're fruiting at spawning, you'll need that top layer.
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spacechildo
proletarians rise up


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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: spacechildo]
#23803683 - 11/05/16 03:18 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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dont you want a proper casing layer for that? a top layer is usually very thin in comparison. its just to avoid exposed grains.
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: spacechildo]
#23803715 - 11/05/16 03:33 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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well, that'd be optimal for sure. In Azur's thread about it, he made a CVG casing for his hpoo tubs. He put a thicker layer down and fruited at spawning. I'd say if you do that, a good 1/4"-1/2" is what you'd want.
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2shoes
The anti-agar



Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 3,124
Loc: Not in a SAB
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: dankington]
#23803730 - 11/05/16 03:40 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
dankington said: That is the case if you're taping up the tub for colonization. But if you're fruiting at spawning, you'll need that top layer.
Mine have done just fine going straight into fruiting without any top layers or casing but for my unmodified tubs (lid flipped over) misting is required. After first flush dunk and repeat.
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spacechildo
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Registered: 01/24/13
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Re: Coir Tek: Top layer or no? [Re: dankington] 1
#23803758 - 11/05/16 03:49 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
dankington said: well, that'd be optimal for sure. In Azur's thread about it, he made a CVG casing for his hpoo tubs. He put a thicker layer down and fruited at spawning. I'd say if you do that, a good 1/4"-1/2" is what you'd want.
oh yeah, proper casing as in proper depth, not necessarily peat not coir casings. my climate is so dry I need a layer that stays un-colonized until pinset starts or else the myc growing through that top layer dries up way too quick. easier to keep a casing layer hydrated than the myc.
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