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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
Posts: 8,939
Loc: ation
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Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box
#27096288 - 12/18/20 05:49 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Mushrooms on the Mountain Hello all! This will be part of my ongoing series of threads called Mushrooms on the mointain, where I will be detailing my projects, grows, trials and tribulations of cultivating, both edible and psychoactive mushrooms, here on my off-grid mountain property in the rockies of colorado!
This installment, symbiotic winter hot box, will detail my attempt to create a mini greenhouse that will house mushroom substrate and garden greens in an attempt to use the heat from colonizing substrate to heat the box and help sustain vegetable growth.
I'm also hoping since mushrooms release co2 and intake oxygen, while plants release oxygen and intake co2, that they will be able to assist eachother symbiotically there as well.Ok so I started by building an in the ground greenhouse with a 30 degree tilt for sun exposure. This thing stays much warmer than the outside with nothing in it at all, but not warm enough at night sadly.
As you can see there is snow on the ground and there will likely be snow the rest of winter.
The inside of the box is separated in the middle by a partition as shown
 On the left I'll spawn the mushroom substrate and on the right I'll plant the greens.
The spawn being used this round is some old pe/b+ bags I had lying around.
  
As you can see the bags are super overcolonized and blobbing. They were made in september! Damn pretty old haha. This is what they look like
 Ok so I laid down a liner in the hot box, not for side pin management, but to make cleaning it out easier, and threw in a 5kg bricks worth of coir
 
Mixed it all up and applied a rather thick top layer
 
After applying the top layer I shut the box. I mixed the coir while it was still fairly warm so it will retain heat tonight while the myc bounces back.
 If this works, this can be a way for us to constantly grow veggies all winter for our bunnies and selves, and if it fails, well no biggie! I will plant the veggies once I see myc popping through the top layer.
I'll update as we go and hopefully this works! Keep a look out for the other installments of mushrooms on the mountain!
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Sir Pentinite
Stranger all the time.

Registered: 05/15/19
Posts: 525
Loc: ation Location Location
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27096811 - 12/18/20 10:38 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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-------------------- "I thought to myself 'Boy, I'm sure glad there's nobody here to see this because this is exactly the sort of thing that gets people riled-up and they assume you're dying and that something has to be done. Where if you're alone, you know, you either come through it or you die, but in any case you avoid the fuss.'" - Terrence McKenna
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alaskappalachian
Entitiologist

Registered: 10/22/19
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Loc: The 49th Dimension
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Sir Pentinite]
#27096829 - 12/18/20 10:45 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Finally some outdoor shenanigans! 
Curious: what is your low low in January anyway?
-------------------- "First we build the tools, then they build us." THE 49th MYCOJOURNAL: Exotics, Auroras, and Entities
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GrinchGrower
N00B



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: alaskappalachian]
#27096858 - 12/18/20 11:07 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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looks interesting
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mind.at.large
Myconerd


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: alaskappalachian]
#27096859 - 12/18/20 11:07 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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-------------------- Mind's Easy Bag 2 Bag Grain Transfers Endless Sub Tek ...the doll's trying to kill me and the toaster's been laughing at me...
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: alaskappalachian]
#27097392 - 12/19/20 09:58 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
alaskappalachian said: Finally some outdoor shenanigans! 
Curious: what is your low low in January anyway?
Very cold. It was 7f this morning haha. Future endeavours will be using colder weather species, I just had the cube spawn already lying around.
So the top 1/8" had a bit of ice crystal formation and when I poked it a little steam came out and it was still warm under it. Gonna put some mulch on it today and try to lock in more heat.
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Wall.E
Bacteria's Bitch



Registered: 06/05/20
Posts: 2,860
Loc: Fungal Void
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27097396 - 12/19/20 09:59 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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This is gonna be dope to follow
-------------------- Lifeβs shit, but Iβm loving it
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bw86
Doesn't play well with others


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Wall.E]
#27097412 - 12/19/20 10:09 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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 Cubes in snow?
At-least you don't have to worry about slugs this time of year. It would be funny if it didn't fruit until summer.
Edited by bw86 (12/19/20 10:12 AM)
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: bw86]
#27097439 - 12/19/20 10:27 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Thats what I'm hoping haha. Not super likely but if it manages to colonize at all I'll be happy.
I've seen some dope in ground hot boxes with veggies in winter. My hopes arent super high but hopes are there
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Just_A_Noob
Breathing



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: bw86]
#27097443 - 12/19/20 10:28 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Cool idea!
-------------------- Wearing a mask is bad for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Complying = Consent Wide Mouth 1/2 Pint No-Pour TEK TC Teks & Links
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Nobler Hino
a dojo and a forge?!


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Just_A_Noob]
#27097542 - 12/19/20 11:25 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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I bet it works like a charm
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   "The sacred mushroom takes me by the hand and brings me to the world where everything is known. It is they, the sacred mushrooms, that speak in a way I can understand. I ask them and they answer me.β β Maria Sabina
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Nobler Hino]
#27098097 - 12/19/20 04:57 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Pretty warm in there today, lots of condensation on the lid. Topped with a bag of scotts black mulch and closed er up again. Fingers crossed
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fahtster
Now With 33%More Faht



Registered: 06/17/06
Posts: 9,268
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27098756 - 12/20/20 04:45 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: fahtster]
#27103224 - 12/22/20 10:24 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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So I didnt want to open it and let all the heat out, but here is the box from yesterday morning. It was about 15 degrees outside and the condensation on the inside of the lid didnt freeze so I feel confident now!

Left town for a few days, when I get back Ill try to get some colonizing shots if it hasnt shit the bed by then
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GypsyBastard
Misanthrope


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27103239 - 12/22/20 10:32 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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  and all the other things because this is something I have got to see!! Love it man. Work out the kinks so that we don't have to.
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Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



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Posts: 37,808
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: GypsyBastard]
#27103457 - 12/23/20 03:13 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Pretty cool project Nate
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tiptrippy
The Mechanic



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Pastywhyte]
#27103806 - 12/23/20 09:38 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Mycolorado
Hobbyist


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: tiptrippy]
#27103859 - 12/23/20 10:09 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Mycolorado]
#27118205 - 12/31/20 12:05 PM (3 years, 28 days ago) |
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So I tried to get a good pic but it was hard.

Colonization is happening! Moving really really slow, hasnt poked through the top layer at all, but it is recolonizing so unless we get some crazy cold snap it may work!
Box is very warm even though it's a tad less than 20f here right now
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GypsyBastard
Misanthrope


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27118219 - 12/31/20 12:11 PM (3 years, 28 days ago) |
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You, sir, are a mad genius and I love you
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: GypsyBastard]
#27118275 - 12/31/20 12:36 PM (3 years, 28 days ago) |
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--------------------
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EarthwormJim
No stranger



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27119068 - 12/31/20 06:52 PM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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. I'm really excited to see how this turns out! I live on the dry side of the mountains but same climate mostly. Been racking my head trying to figure out a way to do cubes outside. You truly are a mad genius π
-------------------- Meddle not in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup Everything I post is a figment of someone's imagination. Maybe yours. Maybe mine. Likely both I see shrooms of blue In tubs of white That will keep me tripping All through the night And I think to myself What a wonderful world
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mushboy
modboy



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: EarthwormJim]
#27119122 - 12/31/20 07:15 PM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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 real shit, man
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Josex
#cheat_code


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: mushboy]
#27119194 - 12/31/20 07:48 PM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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Wall.E
Bacteria's Bitch



Registered: 06/05/20
Posts: 2,860
Loc: Fungal Void
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Josex]
#27119305 - 12/31/20 09:12 PM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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Fuck yeah growth
-------------------- Lifeβs shit, but Iβm loving it
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hazyhorse
scoobin



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Wall.E]
#27119622 - 01/01/21 03:38 AM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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i love shit like this!! threads for sure. good luck, i canβt wait to see the progress
-------------------- you're not the first to set foot here, just another =================================== i love glass petris & you can too!! posts i constantly refer back to new to mushroom cultivation?? read this!! ===================================
  π
π΄ π° πΌ π² π» πΈ π½ πΆ π
π
π° πΏ
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: hazyhorse]
#27165029 - 01/23/21 08:10 AM (3 years, 5 days ago) |
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So I legit havent opened the box since I last posted. This weekend we are gonna seed the other side with veggies and see how it goes.
It's been extremely cold here, even got down to -5f last week, but I see unfrozen condensation on the lid every morning so it's still warm in there! Gonna open it tomorrow to plant the seeds, I'll let you know how it goes!
Seeing as last freeze here is after mothers day, if I can get plants in the ground a few months early that would be awesome.
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HappinessStan
Fungivore



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27165106 - 01/23/21 09:12 AM (3 years, 5 days ago) |
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This is awesome, have you ever considered building a full sized walipini? I saw one dude growing citrus in Nebraska. Think I found a link to the same project, check it out. https://www.ktoo.org/2016/02/11/citrus-snow-geothermal-greenhouses-grow-local-produce-winter/
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bw86
Doesn't play well with others


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: HappinessStan]
#27165122 - 01/23/21 09:25 AM (3 years, 5 days ago) |
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I have seen citrus growing in Connecticut with a similar^ greenhouse at Logees. If I were to dig a 4' hole in my yard I would be standing in 2' of salt water. If your only getting a light frost in there/ no frost at all I bet you can grow some baby bok choi with no problem. You don't have much vertical growing space. Also i'm assuming fairly stagnant air.
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: bw86]
#27165149 - 01/23/21 09:42 AM (3 years, 5 days ago) |
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Yes dude wallipinis are fucking dope. I really want to build a couple out here to do citrus and attempt to do outdoor gourmets year round.
@bw86- air is definitely too stagnant for plants if the lid is kept sealed all day, but there is a seal release in the box that allows flow of air once plants are up. I just have it closed for now
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GypsyBastard
Misanthrope


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27165156 - 01/23/21 09:48 AM (3 years, 5 days ago) |
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I've been thinking of using oysters for CO2 enrichment of a lettuce greenhouse. This winter was my first winter trial of the greenhouse design and it has performed honestly better than expected. I am taking so many notes from you man. Thank you!!
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Camera93
We got dicks like Jesus



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: GypsyBastard]
#27193739 - 02/08/21 01:21 PM (2 years, 11 months ago) |
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-------------------- All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and Iβm fine. Whatever you decide wonβt really impact our survival Close your eyes, and do the best that you can
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Camera93]
#27205275 - 02/14/21 10:55 AM (2 years, 11 months ago) |
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This is pretty much a bust for now haha. The box was weakly colonized, but a winter snap came through and it's below -10f right now and colder at night for the past couple weeks. Wind chill is supposed to be -25f later today!
But!!! Planting time here is after mothers day, so after this cold snap passes, I'm gonna re do the box with hard wood sawdust and reishi to try to get plants in the box well before may. About to shake my reishi masters so I'll update when I have enough spawn for the box and the temps come up a tad.
I may build another one to try cubes again, I have gotten cubes to fruit outdoors here in a garden bed in late summer early fall
Edited by natedawgnow (02/14/21 10:59 AM)
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nogoodnamesleft
Stranger than average



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27205304 - 02/14/21 11:12 AM (2 years, 11 months ago) |
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Im sure this would have worked if an Arctic cold snap didn't decide to shit on the midwest this week. Lots of inspiration for those in less frigid climates. Thanks for posting and showing what's up!
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
Posts: 8,939
Loc: ation
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: nogoodnamesleft]
#27205932 - 02/14/21 05:00 PM (2 years, 11 months ago) |
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So I went outside to see what was up and I was honestly surprised. Havent opened it For a while cause its been cold and snowing but the coir layer beneath the mulch is completely colonized and to my surprise not frozen at all. In fact the lid above the left side was thawed while the rest of it had snow on it still.
When I opened it

Busted into it a bit to see if it was frozen and found it warm and fully colonized
 
The uppermost bit of coir is very dry and not well colonized so Im gonna water it and let it run instead of cleaning it out and replacing with reishi.
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Padrey
Stranger


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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: bw86]
#27206078 - 02/14/21 06:23 PM (2 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
bw86 said:
 Cubes in snow?
At-least you don't have to worry about slugs this time of year. It would be funny if it didn't fruit until summer.
I think the box could provide enough insulation. Weirder things have happened.
-------------------- A wise man plants trees , knowing he will never sit in their shade.
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hazyhorse
scoobin



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Padrey]
#27208084 - 02/15/21 07:07 PM (2 years, 11 months ago) |
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always dope seeing updates on this thread!! wild that the mycelium seems to be doing so well
-------------------- you're not the first to set foot here, just another =================================== i love glass petris & you can too!! posts i constantly refer back to new to mushroom cultivation?? read this!! ===================================
  π
π΄ π° πΌ π² π» πΈ π½ πΆ π
π
π° πΏ
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
Posts: 8,939
Loc: ation
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: hazyhorse]
#27221025 - 02/22/21 08:06 PM (2 years, 10 months ago) |
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Ok so this box is fully colonized and we decided to seed the other side yesterday!

Box before and after seeding. From left to right- arugula, kale, lettuce, spinach.
Ill up date if and when something sprouts!
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Smartattack
C'mon man



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Posts: 3,775
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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: natedawgnow]
#27221107 - 02/22/21 09:09 PM (2 years, 10 months ago) |
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Now on my list of garden projects. By "list" I mean this one thing.
-------------------- * Smarts videos * Planet of the APES   I'm a fungal white supremacist.
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hazyhorse
scoobin



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Re: Mushrooms on the mountain: symbiotic winter hot box [Re: Smartattack]
#27221385 - 02/23/21 12:57 AM (2 years, 10 months ago) |
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thank you for the update nates!! hoping it all goes well. i had no idea something like this was even possible before i saw this thread so iβm super stoked to see it working so well
-------------------- you're not the first to set foot here, just another =================================== i love glass petris & you can too!! posts i constantly refer back to new to mushroom cultivation?? read this!! ===================================
  π
π΄ π° πΌ π² π» πΈ π½ πΆ π
π
π° πΏ
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