Hey y'all,
Most of the way through my first cultivation. But I have some questions about the condition of my cakes. I used the classic PF TEK, and had a lot of fun doing so. The process so far has been extremely fulfilling, and exciting.
However, I am now slightly concerned everything may be spiraling out of control. I let my cakes consolidate for about 3 weeks after full colonization. I dunked the cakes for a full 24 hours, and rolled in verm as best as I could. I am using an unmodified humidity chamber for my FC, with about 4-5 inches of wet perlite on bottom. Everything seemed to be going absolutely perfectly, up until possibly now, which is why I am making this post.
I birthed the cakes into the FC roughly 11 days ago. Been fanning about 6-8 times per day, and misting as the cakes need it (ie. when they have that "dry" appearance to them). I have been keeping the room they are in at a constant 72 degrees fahrenheit, as well as letting them get indirect, natural light. (The sun fills my apt pretty nicely, so I didn't see a grow light as necessary.)
Everything seemed 100% normal, using the classic RR PF TEK video as my reference. Main difference is I did not choose to use a SGFC. Anyhow, about 3-4 days after birthing, I noticed a very sizeable amount of extra mycelium creeping its way through my vermiculite layer. The mycelium seems to be thickening. So much so, that I am now concerned that it may not be mycelium at all? No strange smells, or colors at all, it just is throwing me off, that such growth is taking place after such a long consolidation period. I figured the cakes would be damn near ready to fruit, with a 3-week consolidation period. The growth has a very very thick appearance, as well as almost a sticky feel to it... There seems to be spots where it is thicker than others, and I'm unsure as to what exactly is going on here.
I have attached photos of the most notable examples of this. I am now having trouble telling if all of my cakes are ruined (Contaminated), if they are beginning to grow aerial mycelium (If I need more FAE), or if they are thickening up, and those spots are the "knots" I see everyone talk about (And they are fine). As I stated, this is my first experiment, so I can't help but have a bit of anxiety over it... I don't see any pins, even after almost two weeks, and the only growth seeming to take place, is this extra, thick, white stuff. Hoping for the best, and that its just more mycelium, but I am reaching out to the lovely community of the Shroomery, to get some second opinions.
I appreciate any and all feedback you beautiful people are willing to share. Any tips, tricks or guidance would be appreciated more than you guys know as well. I have been driving myself crazy over this, doing so much research, watching the cakes like a hawk, even waking up in the middle of the night to fan. I couldn't find any cakes on here, with the same questions I've asked here, so I decided to finally make this post. If you guys see something, anything, off here; With my method, with the way the cakes are looking, with literally anything in this post, please let me know. If you see something I should change/something I am doing wrong, please also don't hold back. I am here to learn, and grow, and become better, at my newfound hobby.
I appreciate you all so much, and appreciate all of the knowledge that has been shared with me thus far. Thank you guys in advance for reading my post, and thank you TWO times, if you have something to share with me. Peace and love!
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