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TheStonedScott
Stranger
Registered: 09/22/18
Posts: 14
Last seen: 3 years, 10 months
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First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research!
#26452929 - 01/26/20 04:13 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Hey folks.
Made a post the other day and it didnt go down to well. It almost put me off, but i took some time and went off and done some research.
I know see the hate towards grow kits. As i can know appreciate the effort that goes into growing mushrooms.
I have discussed it with my mate that stays a cross the way, were going to clean out a closet and make our grow in there.
I just have a few questions to make sure i have everything correct.
So think were going to go down the monotub route. One to start, then maybe expand if we can get it right.
One thing i havent researched is where to get all the required bits and bobs. Im in scotland so any information/help is greatly appreciated.
Injection port bags. I've saw a few on various website but wondering if there is a good place to get them.
What is the best to fill them with. I've read a few different things. Rye,popcorn or white millet. I hope im on the right track here.
Should i make a SAB as well? Is it essential,and is it work the.extra time?
Spore syringes, as im in the uk, I've only seen state side vendors. If any one could point me in the direction of a Uk vendor that be amzing.
Is it worth spending the extra cash and time on modifying the mono tub, to have a fan, fogger/humidifier, cycle timer and a humidity regulator?
Bulk substrate. I dont fancy, the process of making it once again, is there another way or some where i can buy it in the uk?
I would like to see my mates face, yeah i just have to bake this 50/50 horse shit and coco coir mixture in your oven.
They're maybe be some where near by i can purchase it, but ill look into that.
Poly fill, my mind keeps going to poly filler 😂
Is poly fil the american term for cotton wool or is it different all together?
And finally any recommendations on tubs to use?
Most of the research i have done has been from people state side, so everything has been American products. So any help from people in the uk would be greatly appreciated!
Regards, Scott
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Zifozonke
Stranger


Registered: 03/24/19
Posts: 1,258
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26452939 - 01/26/20 05:15 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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PussyFart
Retired Cultivation Extrodinaire



Registered: 04/08/12
Posts: 22,502
Loc: Orbiting Earth
Last seen: 16 days, 22 hours
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26453001 - 01/26/20 06:31 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
TheStonedScott said: Hey folks.
Made a post the other day and it didnt go down to well. It almost put me off, but i took some time and went off and done some research.
I know see the hate towards grow kits. As i can know appreciate the effort that goes into growing mushrooms.
I have discussed it with my mate that stays a cross the way, were going to clean out a closet and make our grow in there.
I just have a few questions to make sure i have everything correct.
So think were going to go down the monotub route. One to start, then maybe expand if we can get it right.
One thing i havent researched is where to get all the required bits and bobs. Im in scotland so any information/help is greatly appreciated.
Injection port bags. I've saw a few on various website but wondering if there is a good place to get them.
What is the best to fill them with. I've read a few different things. Rye,popcorn or white millet. I hope im on the right track here.
Regards, Scott
I use the cheapest wild bird seed mix my local hardware store will sell me. No experience with bags(I use quart jars) but our sponsors would be a great start.
Quote:
TheStonedScott said:
Should i make a SAB as well? Is it essential,and is it work the.extra time?
Regards, Scott
Yes, unless you plan on building a several hundred dollar laminar flow hood a SAB(STILL AIR BOX) is the next best thing. Not to be confuse with a GB(Glove Box) which is not the same thing.
Quote:
TheStonedScott said: Spore syringes, as im in the uk, I've only seen state side vendors. If any one could point me in the direction of a Uk vendor that be amzing.
Is it worth spending the extra cash and time on modifying the mono tub, to have a fan, fogger/humidifier, cycle timer and a humidity regulator?
Bulk substrate. I dont fancy, the process of making it once again, is there another way or some where i can buy it in the uk?
I would like to see my mates face, yeah i just have to bake this 50/50 horse shit and coco coir mixture in your oven.
They're maybe be some where near by i can purchase it, but ill look into that.
Poly fill, my mind keeps going to poly filler 😂
Is poly fil the american term for cotton wool or is it different all together?
And finally any recommendations on tubs to use?
Most of the research i have done has been from people state side, so everything has been American products. So any help from people in the uk would be greatly appreciated!
Regards, Scott
Our sponsors would be a great start. If nobody ships to the UK I am Sure there are people in the marketplace that would trade you spores.
Just find a hydroponics store bear you that sells coco coir. That is all you need, and some vermiculite which can be gotten at a local harware store(sometimes sold as insulation.
any synthetic pillow stuffing will do, and in a pinch just keeping the holes on the tubs open will work just fine.
I use 56qt sterlite plum handle tubs.
any 50-60qt tub should work just fine, shoot for 2.5-3.0" total substarte depth either way.
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THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT! A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD, SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List, EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE *** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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TheStonedScott
Stranger
Registered: 09/22/18
Posts: 14
Last seen: 3 years, 10 months
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: PussyFart]
#26453083 - 01/26/20 07:47 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Zifozonke said: Heres a great thread to get you heading in the correct direction https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/22644972/page/2
Much appreciated mate
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Sockadin



Registered: 01/03/10
Posts: 7,244
Last seen: 2 months, 20 days
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26453109 - 01/26/20 08:06 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
TheStonedScott said: Hey folks.
Made a post the other day and it didnt go down to well. It almost put me off, but i took some time and went off and done some research. I hate to read this part because we want this place to be welcoming and available to all. Let me see if we can answer some of your questions. I know see the hate towards grow kits. As i can know appreciate the effort that goes into growing mushrooms. My Thoughts https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/20633940 I have discussed it with my mate that stays a cross the way, were going to clean out a closet and make our grow in there.
I just have a few questions to make sure i have everything correct.
So think were going to go down the monotub route. One to start, then maybe expand if we can get it right.
One thing i havent researched is where to get all the required bits and bobs. Im in scotland so any information/help is greatly appreciated.
Injection port bags. I've saw a few on various website but wondering if there is a good place to get them. Here is a premade grain bag link. https://www.amazon.com/Sterilized-Mushroom-Substrate-Healing-Injection/dp/B07CWHYKT2/ref=asc_df_B07CWHYKT2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309735714375&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9089616442413454897&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028217&hvtargid=pla-570124830841&psc=1 What is the best to fill them with. I've read a few different things. Rye,popcorn or white millet. I hope im on the right track here.
Should i make a SAB as well? Is it essential,and is it work the.extra time? Absolutely Super Necessary Spore syringes, as im in the uk, I've only seen state side vendors. If any one could point me in the direction of a Uk vendor that be amzing. https://www.shroomery.org/ads/c.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=1__zoneid=1 Is it worth spending the extra cash and time on modifying the mono tub, to have a fan, fogger/humidifier, cycle timer and a humidity regulator? No just make a basic mono tub with polyfill.
Bulk substrate. I dont fancy, the process of making it once again, is there another way or some where i can buy it in the uk? [gradient:#FAC65F,#F5B840]You can easily make your grains and spawn to Coir, any pet store should have coir in their snake, reptile area in compressed bricks. Just add water.[/gradient] I would like to see my mates face, yeah i just have to bake this 50/50 horse shit and coco coir mixture in your oven. [gradient:#F5BD4E,#F2C366]I am not a fan of using any manure unless you are doing cyans. If you are using grains once fully spawned, just spawn it with Coir. [/gradient] They're maybe be some where near by i can purchase it, but ill look into that.
Poly fill, my mind keeps going to poly filler 😂
Is poly fil the american term for cotton wool or is it different all together? https://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Poly-Fil-Extra-Loft-Batting-120/dp/B002BJJC84 And finally any recommendations on tubs to use?
Most of the research i have done has been from people state side, so everything has been American products. So any help from people in the uk would be greatly appreciated!
Regards, Scott
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Smoothcat
Renegade-master



Registered: 10/07/15
Posts: 1,254
Last seen: 5 months, 27 days
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26453115 - 01/26/20 08:10 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Lots of good stuff here as well
-------------------- Back once again with the ill behaviour Links I like
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tramalot
Stranger


Registered: 12/13/19
Posts: 199
Loc: USA
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: Smoothcat]
#26453128 - 01/26/20 08:18 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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I've seen syringes now and again on eBay originating from the United kingdom.
-------------------- It's the Journey I enjoy!
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Tattersail



Registered: 04/11/18
Posts: 285
Last seen: 1 year, 11 months
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: tramalot]
#26453183 - 01/26/20 09:08 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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I don't think I can recommend any UK vendors as they don't seem to be sponsors of this site. However I've ordered from a few places by googling "mushroom spores" UK, and there's a few options.
Im currently printing some tiny caps from my Cambodian grow, if they turn out ok I'd be happy to send you a couple.
Polyfill is a synthetic stuffing, usually you can find it in the cushion aisle of a shop (one bag will last forever!) or in a craft shop.
If you search, there is a UK supplies thread that might help you locate things. I use ebay for most things, sometimes Amazon, and shops like B&M and Home Bargains etc are great for tubs, disposable gloves and mason jars.
Ive never used injection port bags. Bags look like more of a hassle to me. I use pint and quart jars, and re-use jam and pickle jars without an issue.
The biggest purchase, if you don't have one already, is a pressure cooker and it is an essential if you are doing grains, agar etc. I've seen Prestos on ebay, they ship from the US for about £70-£80 (plus possible customs/VAT). I had a big old PC from homebrewing days but they seem to be scarce in the UK, especially ones big enough and that go to 15psi.
-------------------- LAGM2021 Trades We may lose or we may win, but we'll never be here again
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TheStonedScott
Stranger
Registered: 09/22/18
Posts: 14
Last seen: 3 years, 10 months
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: Tattersail]
#26453203 - 01/26/20 09:24 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
I don't think I can recommend any UK vendors as they don't seem to be sponsors of this site. However I've ordered from a few places by googling "mushroom spores" UK, and there's a few options.
Im currently printing some tiny caps from my Cambodian grow, if they turn out ok I'd be happy to send you a couple.
Polyfill is a synthetic stuffing, usually you can find it in the cushion aisle of a shop (one bag will last forever!) or in a craft shop.
If you search, there is a UK supplies thread that might help you locate things. I use ebay for most things, sometimes Amazon, and shops like B&M and Home Bargains etc are great for tubs, disposable gloves and mason jars.
Ive never used injection port bags. Bags look like more of a hassle to me. I use pint and quart jars, and re-use jam and pickle jars without an issue.
The biggest purchase, if you don't have one already, is a pressure cooker and it is an essential if you are doing grains, agar etc. I've seen Prestos on ebay, they ship from the US for about £70-£80 (plus possible customs/VAT). I had a big old PC from homebrewing days but they seem to be scarce in the UK, especially ones big enough and that go to 15psi.
Thanks mate ill get in contact with you, I'm a total noob so the prints confuse me. But if you dont mind me asking a few questions and what not that be appreciated.
I just need some guidance on where to start as ive read sooo much the past few days and looked at soo many teks, ive lost myself in all the info haha
Edited by TheStonedScott (01/26/20 09:28 AM)
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Tattersail



Registered: 04/11/18
Posts: 285
Last seen: 1 year, 11 months
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26453213 - 01/26/20 09:30 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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No worries! I'm not an expert but I'll help you out where I can, feel free to PM me. I started with PF tek, but if you have a PC you can skip that and do agar and grains forl not a lot more effort.
-------------------- LAGM2021 Trades We may lose or we may win, but we'll never be here again
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trubblesome
Stranger



Registered: 11/09/19
Posts: 406
Last seen: 10 months, 17 days
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: Tattersail]
#26453311 - 01/26/20 10:49 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Where you should focus your money is on the stuff for preparing a good clean culture from the start. That will increase your likelihood of success more than foggers and fans and automated stuff. Honestly, it makes it more set and forget than automated equipment does. I'm a relative noob but I'm speaking from experience here. My first time around I made this whole complicated tub with an exhaust fan on a timer with an aquarium fogger also on a timer and a humidity controller to do a bunch of BRF cakes. It worked, but in retrospect, I didn't have the experience to know what I was looking for at various stages so I ended up babysitting it just as much as I would have without all the automated stuff, which is exactly what all the stuff I read and chose to ignore said. If I could start over I would have just started making clean cultures on agar first to inoculate oats to spawn to coir in the monotub of your choice. If you can get a 54 qt sterilite like the one from this tek you don't even have to drill holes and all that. There are other tubs with loose fitting lids that others have used unmodified, but that's the only one I've tried personally.
All of this is way easier than you'd think and you'll have solid results as fast, if not faster, with less actual active work than taking shortcuts along the way and ending up disappointed with a half ass flush that ends up growing mold, causing you to have to start all over from the beginning again, or mold on your grains preventing you from even getting to the bulk spawn portion, wasting and adding more weeks of waiting. Save yourself the time and hassle and just start clean from the get go. I understand that you aren't sure if you're going to continue this hobby after the first tub so I get the apprehension about acquiring specialty stuff. If you don't want to shell out for a pressure cooker, you can make PF tek cakes from spore syringes without one and when they're colonized, crumble them and spawn those to bulk instead. Still way better than injecting spores straight to a grain bag of unknown provenance. I will say though that if you don't like the hobby, having a pressure cooker around will cost less up front and be much more useful after the fact than the aquarium fogger and temp and humidity controllers you were thinking about spending $ on so if money up front isn't a dealbreaker definitely spend it on a PC.
Again as a noob who has done both I recommend using jars over bags because you can easily pop agar wedges in without fucking around too much and having to mess with sealing or tying off bags, cutting them open to inoculate, or making liquid culture, which can be a little more difficult for a first time grower. Then you use that colonized jar to inoculate several more jars that will end up in your monotub! it's really that easy. Modifying the lids for this process is easy enough using just polyfil that you'll potentially be using for your tub anyway.
Unfortunately my phone took a shit shortly after my first grow so I have no pictures of it, but I pulled like 2 oz after about 6 weeks from inoculating my cakes. On the flip side, here's my timeline from this tub:

plate streaked 11/23 -> first transfer made 12/1 -> second transfer 12/6 -> second transfer was clean so a wedge was put to a jar of oats 12/14 -> grain to grain transfer to expand to 5 jars 12/23 -> 5 jars spawned to coco coir 12/28 -> harvested 4.8 oz dry 1/17
as you can see it took two more weeks but the experience was way less stress, demanded less attention, grew ~2.5x as much on the first flush alone, the fruits were thicker, denser, and better looking, and this tub is actually going to get a second flush, whereas my cakes required more monitoring, barely did a second flush, had really thin stems, and when dried looked like shit compared to these. The batch where I tried taking a shortcut by putting spores directly to a liquid culture had trichoderma mold pop up before it finished fruiting the first flush - got ~3 oz dry, no second flush, a shitty pinset, and obviously, fucking mold. Thats when I discovered the trove of information here at the shroomery and dove in headfirst, determined to try and not fuck up by my own ignorance again. I'm completely just listing all bod teks here but using the search function and setting it for only threads from the last 3-5 years completely changed everything for me if you weren't already aware of the option.
Sorry I got a little carried away. Hopefully some of this is new/relevant info for you. It's hard to collate all this info yourself when you're starting from scratch without a full conception of the process. If you have any questions about specifics ask away. I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately but if you keep all your questions and updates in one thread it makes it easier for people to check in on what your process has been and give you better answers to your questions, rather than making them search through your posts to find relevant information.
anyway, have fun!
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TheStonedScott
Stranger
Registered: 09/22/18
Posts: 14
Last seen: 3 years, 10 months
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: trubblesome]
#26453404 - 01/26/20 11:54 AM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
trubblesome said: Where you should focus your money is on the stuff for preparing a good clean culture from the start. That will increase your likelihood of success more than foggers and fans and automated stuff. Honestly, it makes it more set and forget than automated equipment does. I'm a relative noob but I'm speaking from experience here. My first time around I made this whole complicated tub with an exhaust fan on a timer with an aquarium fogger also on a timer and a humidity controller to do a bunch of BRF cakes. It worked, but in retrospect, I didn't have the experience to know what I was looking for at various stages so I ended up babysitting it just as much as I would have without all the automated stuff, which is exactly what all the stuff I read and chose to ignore said. If I could start over I would have just started making clean cultures on agar first to inoculate oats to spawn to coir in the monotub of your choice. If you can get a 54 qt sterilite like the one from this tek you don't even have to drill holes and all that. There are other tubs with loose fitting lids that others have used unmodified, but that's the only one I've tried personally.
All of this is way easier than you'd think and you'll have solid results as fast, if not faster, with less actual active work than taking shortcuts along the way and ending up disappointed with a half ass flush that ends up growing mold, causing you to have to start all over from the beginning again, or mold on your grains preventing you from even getting to the bulk spawn portion, wasting and adding more weeks of waiting. Save yourself the time and hassle and just start clean from the get go. I understand that you aren't sure if you're going to continue this hobby after the first tub so I get the apprehension about acquiring specialty stuff. If you don't want to shell out for a pressure cooker, you can make PF tek cakes from spore syringes without one and when they're colonized, crumble them and spawn those to bulk instead. Still way better than injecting spores straight to a grain bag of unknown provenance. I will say though that if you don't like the hobby, having a pressure cooker around will cost less up front and be much more useful after the fact than the aquarium fogger and temp and humidity controllers you were thinking about spending $ on so if money up front isn't a dealbreaker definitely spend it on a PC.
Again as a noob who has done both I recommend using jars over bags because you can easily pop agar wedges in without fucking around too much and having to mess with sealing or tying off bags, cutting them open to inoculate, or making liquid culture, which can be a little more difficult for a first time grower. Then you use that colonized jar to inoculate several more jars that will end up in your monotub! it's really that easy. Modifying the lids for this process is easy enough using just polyfil that you'll potentially be using for your tub anyway.
Unfortunately my phone took a shit shortly after my first grow so I have no pictures of it, but I pulled like 2 oz after about 6 weeks from inoculating my cakes. On the flip side, here's my timeline from this tub:

plate streaked 11/23 -> first transfer made 12/1 -> second transfer 12/6 -> second transfer was clean so a wedge was put to a jar of oats 12/14 -> grain to grain transfer to expand to 5 jars 12/23 -> 5 jars spawned to coco coir 12/28 -> harvested 4.8 oz dry 1/17
as you can see it took two more weeks but the experience was way less stress, demanded less attention, grew ~2.5x as much on the first flush alone, the fruits were thicker, denser, and better looking, and this tub is actually going to get a second flush, whereas my cakes required more monitoring, barely did a second flush, had really thin stems, and when dried looked like shit compared to these. The batch where I tried taking a shortcut by putting spores directly to a liquid culture had trichoderma mold pop up before it finished fruiting the first flush - got ~3 oz dry, no second flush, a shitty pinset, and obviously, fucking mold. Thats when I discovered the trove of information here at the shroomery and dove in headfirst, determined to try and not fuck up by my own ignorance again. I'm completely just listing all bod teks here but using the search function and setting it for only threads from the last 3-5 years completely changed everything for me if you weren't already aware of the option.
Sorry I got a little carried away. Hopefully some of this is new/relevant info for you. It's hard to collate all this info yourself when you're starting from scratch without a full conception of the process. If you have any questions about specifics ask away. I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately but if you keep all your questions and updates in one thread it makes it easier for people to check in on what your process has been and give you better answers to your questions, rather than making them search through your posts to find relevant information.
anyway, have fun!
So much appreciation of this post.
In terms of the search function, i know its there, and I get posts like this is a pain in the arse, but the search function brings up so much info and im not the best at reading, large areas of text. But if i can ask actual question i find it easier to process the information if that makes sense.
Ive done so much research the passed couple of days my head hurts hahaha
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A.k.a
Stranger



Registered: 10/27/19
Posts: 16,782
Loc: Gaming the system
Last seen: 40 seconds
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26453422 - 01/26/20 12:03 PM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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If you’re making a SAB might as well do some agar also, which you’d need to grow from a print anyway.
When I started I just used a syringe to inject quarts of bird seed then mixed those with just coir into shoeboxes. I think that’s that best route for a first grow unless you’re making tons of spawn jars.
Monos are awesome but it’s a big commitment spawn wise. I wasn’t confident enough to put that many jars into one tub until I had a bunch of solid grows under my belt.
Four or five shoeboxes will yield the same as a mono, but if one jar goes bad it won’t bring down the rest. Plus you can try prepping each one differently, case one, try whatever to see what works. It’s a good way to get a lot of experience quickly without jeopardizing a big grow.
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LAGM2020     
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trubblesome
Stranger



Registered: 11/09/19
Posts: 406
Last seen: 10 months, 17 days
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Re: First time grower, thats has now taken the time to do some research! [Re: TheStonedScott]
#26453527 - 01/26/20 01:11 PM (4 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
TheStonedScott said:
So much appreciation of this post.
In terms of the search function, i know its there, and I get posts like this is a pain in the arse, but the search function brings up so much info and im not the best at reading, large areas of text. But if i can ask actual question i find it easier to process the information if that makes sense.
Ive done so much research the passed couple of days my head hurts hahaha
no I totally get it! It's super overwhelming sifting through it all. I didn't mean to imply you shouldn't ask questions or that you're being a pain in the ass, quite the opposite - I just remember being blown away when I realized how I could get the answers to questions I had that weren't decade old dead threads here or on other forums so figured I'd throw it out there to hopefully help make the whole thing less overwhelming. welcome to the shroomery, keep us updated as you go!
and yeah I'll echo what A.k.a. says, shoeboxes are great to get an eye for things in less time than doing 1 monotub at a time, and can save you from putting all your eggs in one basket. The feeling of seeing a contam pop up on a big tub you put so much work in to is...really bad. I don't like that feeling. Plus you could read every thread on here but (for me at least) nothing is better than seeing it with your own eyes, so having multiple subs at once can help you learn how to dial in to the parameters of your specific situation.
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