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 Abyss13
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Registered: 05/22/19
Posts: 8
Last seen: 6 months, 23 days
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 Not sure what I am doing wrong. Some contamination and stalled jars 
#26067727 - 06/22/19 04:12 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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 age][
First, if you take the time to read this... thank you so much. This community on here is amazing. It is much appreciated!
I have been following Ziran's "Updated PF-Tek Guide" - https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/24179086 to make my jars.
My first attempt around May 3rd with 8 jars, 5 became contaminated similar to the attached photo. 2 have stalled (see attached photo) and 1 was added to coir. May 29th I tried again with 4 jars and 3 became contaminated (2 of them are in the attached photo).
So some of my questions are,
- Is there a common mistake that could lead to this type of contamination? I feel like I am missing some small step or not doing it well enough. Such as the sterilization steaming of the jars. I lower the heat to a simmer after boiling and leave it at simmer for 2 hours. Should I have it at a higher heat maybe? When I flame sterilize the needle, should I be getting it red hot in between? Is a bic lighter not good to use? Should I put micro spore tape on top after I inoculate?
- I am aware the stalled jars look way too wet. To achieve the right amount of field capacity I had to get it this wet. Not sure if I am using too fine of Verm or what. I am using "Black Gold" Verm and "Bobs Red Mill Brown rice flour Stone ground". Is there a different product youd recommend? Is there anyway to fixed stalled Jars?
Once again thank you for taking the time to read!
Edited by Abyss13 (06/25/19 07:24 PM)
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Jpybot
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Registered: 05/26/19
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Last seen: 9 months, 12 days
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Re: Not sure what I am doing wrong. Some sontamination and stalled jars [Re: Abyss13]
#26071859 - 06/24/19 10:48 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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You're gonna have to toss those jars, even the stalled ones don't look right. You may be on to something when you said they look too wet. Try using a 2:1:1 ratio of vermiculite, water, and brf. So 2 cups verm, 1 cup water, 1 cup brf. As opposed to trying to eybeall your field capacity.
I've never done steam sterilization so I can't help there,maybe check out mushroom666's guide. Yes, you should get the needle red hot then wipe with alcohol to cool it off. Re-sterilize between each jar.
If you have a layer of vermiculite on top acting as a filter, you won't need the micropore tape, otherwise use it.
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Ajr12100
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Registered: 08/21/18
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Last seen: 5 months, 28 days
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Re: Not sure what I am doing wrong. Some sontamination and stalled jars [Re: Jpybot]
#26072030 - 06/25/19 12:46 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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When you steam sterilize do you put foil on the top to stop water from dropping down into the jars?
A bic lighter is fine to use- get a torch and it’ll be faster and easier though.
I’m not familiar with the verm brand you have but I doubt that it would be an issue
I would recommend a pressure cooker if you can’t get it to work after another try. They can be a little pricey sometimes but honestly it’ll take your success rate up significantly.
--------------------
“I'm a survivor too.
with enough sense to live
like an outlaw 30 sum years,
and get away with it.”
-Hippie3
“Embrace your inner agar. Do not fear it”
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Abyss13
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Registered: 05/22/19
Posts: 8
Last seen: 6 months, 23 days
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Re: Not sure what I am doing wrong. Some sontamination and stalled jars [Re: Jpybot]
#26073427 - 06/25/19 07:33 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Jpybot said:
You're gonna have to toss those jars, even the stalled ones don't look right. You may be on to something when you said they look too wet. Try using a 2:1:1 ratio of vermiculite, water, and brf. So 2 cups verm, 1 cup water, 1 cup brf. As opposed to trying to eybeall your field capacity.
I've never done steam sterilization so I can't help there,maybe check out mushroom666's guide. Yes, you should get the needle red hot then wipe with alcohol to cool it off. Re-sterilize between each jar.
If you have a layer of vermiculite on top acting as a filter, you won't need the micropore tape, otherwise use it.
Would I be able to clean the jars, bleach and alcohol to reuse? Or is that not worth doing?
I tried the 2:1:1 ratio and the field capacity was nothing close to the gif attached in the tek, which is why I added more. Then it looked too wet but field capacity seemed right.
I am using a dry verm layer as a filter. Would putting micro spore tape also be an added layer of protection?
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Abyss13
Stranger
Registered: 05/22/19
Posts: 8
Last seen: 6 months, 23 days
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Re: Not sure what I am doing wrong. Some sontamination and stalled jars [Re: Ajr12100]
#26073434 - 06/25/19 07:36 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Ajr12100 said:
When you steam sterilize do you put foil on the top to stop water from dropping down into the jars?
A bic lighter is fine to use- get a torch and it’ll be faster and easier though.
I’m not familiar with the verm brand you have but I doubt that it would be an issue
I would recommend a pressure cooker if you can’t get it to work after another try. They can be a little pricey sometimes but honestly it’ll take your success rate up significantly.
Yeah I have foil on top. Thinking about putting micro spore tape and foil during the steam sterilize and maybe sterilize for 3 hours.I feel like my issue is coming somewhere in the steam sterilizing.
I might have to look into a pressure cooker.
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korrg
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Registered: 04/02/19
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Last seen: 1 month, 7 days
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Re: Not sure what I am doing wrong. Some sontamination and stalled jars [Re: Abyss13]
#26074228 - 06/26/19 03:13 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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jars are reusable. bleach and alcohol and peroxide are good. if it's a moldlike contam i'd add garden calcium.
if you are catching water during steaming add another layer of foil from bottom to top. and good for water isolation is cotton-viskose fibre, don't know how behaves a synthetic one.
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