What's up?
So, as title details this is my first rodeo. Done a bit of lurking around the forums, digging through youtube and took notes from some book pdfs.
I'm trying to keep costs low and I'm starting off with two 18.8 Qt "ezy storage" clear containers.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pfe1hApJfRRjYVXIHqqcyugNoUOKx_Wq/view?usp=drivesdk
As of now, they're without any holes for FAE, i'm holding off on any modifications until I've got a clear path ahead and I know what's next.
After putting together a rudimentary step-by-step I've got some (2x) Cambo. Gold & (2x) A+ Albino colonizing in 1/2 pint jars.
They were inoculated 8/23 (today is 9/12)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1caLlAcpBSMlQJWLNoRAYPM67-gBieHOy/view?usp=drivesdk
As expected both of the Cambo. are taking off with the growth - one of the Albino is crushing it too. I noticed that the second Albino specimen is taking more time to develop and I'm just a bit curious to what would cause it to lag behind the others. From what I can see so far, there's not sign of contamination or anything - I'm assuming that maybe I didn't inject as much liquid culture into it as the other.
Cambod. Gold
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c958iacfA6jMRtMpAeeTGIukwqkR1Cug/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cUXqwuKylvGnRp7teQtRew62YhLPJBu-/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NLUlPn3fTt5y88jmYoyOdDDzQ5DTxf2g/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18wCTJCMOzSiUZxbJEa3qXlV3AxusFzQV/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPX1n8qNwV9jWIUhwOoN0lF1DK5XDLap/view?usp=drivesdk
A+ Albino
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-vE39NK_Y6eAk4tBg9YuzvJQsnS2DBX/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HoOZ7M2jfMQMXVxltLjVIFepHUKUy7cg/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K3VDbM1K3pR55B6YhjPNKalwOmWQEAyt/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QGx1QufXBUqZ-CtCTR-DAfigHecIBnwR/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w9qW6xVtUKHnctr_bBgmyHjXmvkEgH8N/view?usp=drivesdk
I recently ran to my local home depot and grabbed a 1cu. ft. bag of "Black Kow" org. manure to put together my substrate.
What I was planning on using and mixing together was 40% coir ("Thrive Natural Loose Coconut Soil Bedding") 40% verm. ("Vigoro") 20% manure. ("Black Kow") In your opinion, how are these ratios?
Additionally, I sanitized/disenfected the inside of the containers and I've marked out 1/2in increments along the sides. I went ahead and filled up vermiculite to the first half inch mark in both of the containers.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DqesPbQfd9L7ZCqA36kAOHQaVhJAOEOs/view?usp=drivesdk
I read along somewhere in a walk-through that a bottom layer of verm. would help the substrate hold moisture better and it would lessen the likelihood of pins forming and aborting on the bottom. I figured why not go ahead and do it while I continue to wait for the mycelium to finish solidifying the cakes, you know?
Now, this brings me to my next step that I'm wondering about. After a good look at my cakes how much longer do you guys think I should let them "consolidate" before giving them a dunk? (Please reference which ones specifically)
Furthermore, I was reading that after dunking the cakes I could either "shred" them with a cheese grater or break them up by hand when spreading it over the substrate as a layer - which one would you recommend?
I'm hoping that the cakes are actually thick enough to spread about two or three 1/2 in. layers. (2x 1/2pint cakes per case). each one followed by a substrate layer. I read that it would be a good idea to make a casing layer - I think i've got some lime on hand but I'm a little confused about the mix. I'd like to use what I've already got (coco coir). Do you think it's necessary with these in specific?
The plan is to just have them in a bedroom near ambient lighting during the entire duration. However, I've got just a few other concerns: First, I was watching a youtube video (Home mycology) and it was suggested that the container have no holes, be sealed and even covered inside overtop with foil during the mycelium colonization - is this optimal?
Additionally, should I go on to introduce holes for FAE when I witness pins forming or should I just take it easy and maybe crack the lid/ flip it upside down?
I appreciate the advise in advance - I'll definitely be coming back to update or seek more help!
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"They say life's a gamble, hit my joint and roll the dice." - Wiz Khalifa
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