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kalran
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Registered: 09/21/19
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Quick sum-up of my misconceptions on mushroom-growing 2
#26483422 - 02/13/20 10:15 AM (4 years, 4 days ago) |
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When I first started growing mushrooms I had some misconceptions about certain aspects on mushroom-growing that I would like to sum up and clear up, so it might help others avoid some of the traps I found myself in. I don't know if this will be something useful, but if it helps only one person being successful in mycology, I'm happy 
* Mushrooms need sufficient light to grow: No. Mushrooms do not need light to grow. The reason you expose the mycelium to light is to give the mycelium the message that it is time to fruit. Photosynthesis is not part of mushroom-growth. Actually, mushrooms is in a whole different branch in the 'Tree of Life' than plants are. In other words, mushrooms are not plants. They are mushrooms. Ambient light (natural light from the sun that fills the room) is enough, as long as the exposure is longer than a certain amount. The recommended exposure is 12 hours a day to be certain it gets enough light that day.
* You can measure growth-time at a universal scale: No. Different strains grow at different rates. Also; the time the mycelium start to grow differs from what kind of TEK and substrate you are using, and the genetics of the mushroom. I can inoculate a jar of grain with Cubensis B+, and you can do the same. The mycelium in my jar can take 2 months to be completely consolidated in the jar, while your jar take 3 weeks. This is also true for the actual pinning to start. E.g my monotub can take 1-2 week to start pinning after being exposed to light, and you may start seeing pinning after 3-4 days.
* There is a universal, best-fitting, TEK for YOUR strain: No. You have to choose a TEK that is most fitting for your surroundings, budget, strain, expected yield, and amount of work you are willing to put into growing mushrooms. You can choose a simple TEK of BRF-cakes, and start pinning while they are fully consolidated. You can also spawn those BRF-cakes into a monotub, for greater yield. Greater yield requires "more work", and usually a greater budget (more substrate, larger tubs etc.).
* The TEK you choose is an ABC-step way of growing mushrooms: No. When I started growing mushrooms I quickly found out that it was both possible, AND required to alter the steps a little bit. E.g how mush free-air-exchange holes you have depends on the temperature, light, and how active your mycelium becomes. The more active it is, the more air-exchange it needs. The more air-exchange it needs, the more humidity it needs. You can also give it the air-exchange it needs just from opening the lid and closing it. I guess you could call it "burping" the tub. You sometimes have to alter the steps a little bit, according to how your mycelium acts.
* If you mess something up, there is no way to rectify it: No. Mushrooms, and more specifically the mycelium, is actually quite resistant to unexpected change. Some strains are more resistant to "mess-ups", while other are more sensitive. This is why you should choose an easy strain to grow when you first start growing mushrooms. You are more prone to mess something up if you are a beginner. But if you find yourself thinking you made a mistake that ruins the whole batch, don't panic. The most "dangerous" thing in mushroom-growing is if the substrate gets affected by bacterial infections, or other unwanted growths. This can be bacteria, or mold that takes a foothold in the substrate. If this happens, then you should get the infected batch far away from any other batches.
* There is a BEST substrate for your strain: No. You can choose many types of substrates. Horse-manure, straws, grains, some even use whole LOGS for some strains. You should research B.E (Biological Efficiency). The question is really how your strain interacts with the substrate. This doesn't mean that one strain doesn't grow in all substrates mentioned above, but some strains might yield a greater B.E.
I guess the most important part in home-mycology is being sterile. I ALWAYS clean my hands, and sometimes my clothes with anti-bacterial liquid. I use gloves when I need to, and even when uncertain if it is required to do so. Better to be on the safe side, than learning a hard lesson after the damage is already done. So far I've inoculated 6 grain-jars, in which 5 of those were a grain2grain transfer. Fortunately I've never had any contaminants. I've inoculated 4 monotubs, where of 2 of those has resulted in mushrooms. Two of them are on the second flush. Two of them I'm waiting for the mycelium to get a foothold in the substrate. No contaminates, and I don't find myself being overly tedious with being sterile. I just use common sense.
Be sterile. Choose a TEK that works for YOU. If you mess something up, don't panic. BE PATIENT!!!!
If you have these things in mind while starting off growing mushroom, I believe you have a greater chance in being successful.
Happy growing everyone, and hopes this helps anyone who are uncertain about some of the aspects of growing mushrooms.
Edited by kalran (02/13/20 10:18 AM)
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InfiniteDreams


Registered: 10/25/19
Posts: 1,224
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Re: Quick sum-up of my misconceptions on mushroom-growing [Re: kalran]
#26483466 - 02/13/20 10:45 AM (4 years, 4 days ago) |
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Quote:
Mushrooms do not need light to grow. The reason you expose the mycelium to light is to give the mycelium the message that it is time to fruit.
This is also a misconception.
You are correct that mushrooms do not photosynthesize like plants, however, surface conditions are more of the trigger to fruit than light.
Light does seems to indicate the direction to grow.
And adequate light seems to result in a healthier organism.
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Daviddaniels_xc
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Registered: 02/21/20
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Re: Quick sum-up of my misconceptions on mushroom-growing [Re: kalran]
#26496776 - 02/21/20 10:20 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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I have a question for someone who knows some basics. First grow. I have four jars 80% colonized grain. Myc looks good. Ready for substrate but do NOT have access to manure. Horse, cow, whatever. What can I use??? Buying supplies out of basic US chain hardware store. Thanks
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feldman114
Stragler


Registered: 09/06/19
Posts: 3,365
Loc: Bravos
Last seen: 3 years, 9 months
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Re: Quick sum-up of my misconceptions on mushroom-growing [Re: Daviddaniels_xc] 1
#26496797 - 02/21/20 10:36 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Cool poast OP! Great to see new people contributing, and I’m sure n00bs will find this helpful.
That said, idk if I agree that Teks should be tailored. Following a tek to the T might be a better idea for noobs - things that seem insignificant to new growers can be quite important. (When I started out, I couldn’t hydrate grains correctly for the longest time because I fiddled with the method, thinking there’s no point in a thorough rinse if I’m going to sterilize the stuff anyway.)
Also, can’t agree with this:
Quote:
how mush free-air-exchange holes you have depends on the temperature, light, and how active your mycelium becomes
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




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Re: Quick sum-up of my misconceptions on mushroom-growing [Re: kalran]
#26496868 - 02/21/20 11:34 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Well done. Youve done your research well. Im impressed.
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