|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’
#28667995 - 02/20/24 10:42 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
I started a new water tank. Inside, there are a few nice looking cakes w plenty of fluffy mycelium.
I cracked the lid about a week ago, am misting every couple days. Temp is around 70.
Any ideas why the best looking cakes on the right aren’t making any pinheads?
Thanks so much for any ideas you will share!


|
rhizoRider
Mycorrhizally expanding



Registered: 12/24/13
Posts: 2,623
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28668019 - 02/20/24 11:02 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
Appears u have blobs on one , did u use penis envy strain ? That might be harder to fruit nice off cakes or take long as they are known for
--------------------
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: rhizoRider]
#28668058 - 02/20/24 11:30 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
Yes I do have “blobs” on the little cake on the far left. I appreciate that terminology. It’s definitely a mushroom, but it doesn’t seem to have a head!
It’s not penis envy. It’s called Burma. Could it be that the cakes just take a long, long time and that there’s nothing wrong w the environment?
|
elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,438
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28668077 - 02/20/24 11:55 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
Did you let the jars consolidate for at least a week after full colonization and how long have they been in the chamber total?
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh would’ve sold more than one painting if he’d put tigers in them.―Bill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
|
The cakes definitely had time to consolidate. I actually had them in a different fruiting chamber for a couple weeks, and their unwillingness to fruit is part of what prompted me to begin the water tub. Before moving them in, I dunked for 24 hours and rolled in vermiculite. They’ve been out of the jar for more than a month w lots of mycelium growth and zero fruits. Weird. Thanks for any advice!
|
Yahra
Meow


Registered: 03/06/23
Posts: 2,627
Loc: Earth
Last seen: 35 minutes, 17 seconds
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28668122 - 02/20/24 12:32 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
I've heard of genetics that don't fruit at all. A myth? Dunno, but it's a possibility.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Yahra]
#28668147 - 02/20/24 12:59 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
The blobs on the little cake make me think the conditions in the chamber are ok. Truth is, I need to make some new cakes and just start over.
|
Copasetic Panda
Stranger

Registered: 10/02/23
Posts: 51
Last seen: 1 month, 30 days
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28668544 - 02/20/24 05:15 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
I think the problem could be free air exchange. I was getting some blobby growth on mazatapec I was trying to grow and the problem was not enough air, the mycelium doesnt mind low oxygen but the mushrooms won't grow. Maybe drill some rows of small holes along the top of your tub. On both the long sides.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
|
Really appreciate your thoughts. Maybe I could just crack the lid a little wider. I’d considered this, too. Will give it a shot.
I’m also wondering about the temp. It’s always hovering at 70 F. I wonder if it’s too cool in the room.
|
Yahra
Meow


Registered: 03/06/23
Posts: 2,627
Loc: Earth
Last seen: 35 minutes, 17 seconds
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28669210 - 02/21/24 06:28 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
|
|
70°F is fine.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Yahra]
#28669461 - 02/21/24 09:47 AM (4 months, 2 days ago) |
|
|
Thank you for the reassurance! I’ll feel more confident about that variable.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28677999 - 02/27/24 10:16 AM (3 months, 27 days ago) |
|
|
I made these cakes with vermiculite that is pretty coarse. Just bought some more that’s really fine. Anyone aware of differences in using these two options?
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28679742 - 02/28/24 01:58 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|




I’m misting a few squirts from several feet up every couple of days. The container lid is a little askew. I’ve not been fanning these guys. It’s about 70 f in the room, and the container gets plenty of natural light.
Should I modify one or more of those variables?
As you can see, I have a couple small mushrooms growing on one cake.
The two beautiful cakes that have never fruited have… still never fruited. I originally inoculated 4 jars with this Burma strain, and only 2 jars successfully colonized. (For reference, those were only two jars that have ever *not* colonized for me.) The two successful cakes are the two that have never fruited.
None of the eight jars I originally inoculated have done great, though. I’ve had nothing but trouble.
Still have two cakes in a styrofoam cooler (original fruiting chamber).



They’d done well initially, but then after harvesting the first couple all the pins died. I’ve been trying to revive this fruiting chamber unsuccessfully ever since. Should I try to save these cakes? If so, how should I remove the old growth and “start over” with these? Could you point me to a thread?
I’m wondering if all this adversity has to do w the coarse vermiculite I used in my substrate and my dunk/roll.
Should I try to save any of this or just pitch it and start over with finer vermiculite?
Thanks so much to anyone willing to share an opinion here!
|
Skropi
Space Ritual


Registered: 11/01/23
Posts: 414
Loc: Greece
Last seen: 1 month, 18 days
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28679756 - 02/28/24 02:07 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
Vermiculite isn't the issue. You have a huge tub compared to the number of cakes in. Also, you have cracked the lid, which contributes to them drying out. Put them in a much smaller tub, and leave the lid on normally. The fruits in the styrofoam tub seem to be aborting? Can't see very well, are they turning black?
-------------------- Ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε, Μοῦσα, πολύτροπον
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Skropi]
#28679836 - 02/28/24 02:58 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
I didn’t consider the size of the tub being a problem, but I see your point! I’d cracked the lid based on the guidance I read in thread where I learned about water tank tek. Maybe I ought to narrow the crack. Would you suggest misting more often? Thanks for the reassurance regarding the vermiculite.
The cakes in the cooler are aborting. The top is black. Why is this happening, and any ideas how to address? Should I scrape, dunk, and roll, and then move to the water tub, or what would you recommend?
Thanks so much for your reply! Whadaya think is causing the two pretty cakes to grow nice wispy mycelium and zero mushrooms?
|
Skropi
Space Ritual


Registered: 11/01/23
Posts: 414
Loc: Greece
Last seen: 1 month, 18 days
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28680260 - 02/28/24 07:25 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
It is only a less than educated guess, but they are probably aborting because they are drying out, but I could be wrong on that. Misting doesn't rehydrate a cake, it is useful to create the conditions necessary for pinning, and it cannot replace ideal conditions. What I would do would be to judge by their weight how much water they have lost, and dunk them again for a few hours accordingly. If they are your first cakes and you cannot judge their water content...I am really not sure, as I don't want to give you bad advice, myself being a newbie too. Personally, I would dunk them for 3-4 hours, and put them all together in a small tub, the smallest that could fit them, and keep the lid completely closed, but unlatched, and go from there. I would advice you to wait for someone more experienced to confirm this though. I am sure the cakes can be saved, they are resilient things.
-------------------- Ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε, Μοῦσα, πολύτροπον
|
fungusul
Fungus Kingdom


Registered: 07/16/20
Posts: 1,065
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Skropi]
#28680337 - 02/28/24 08:32 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
Welcome To Shroomery! 
Dry walls indicate that there is too much FAE. Rotate lid to create 4 very small openings. Water needs to drip on the walls.
Some comments: - No misting - Tube size is not a problem - Create equal and very small openings on all 4 corners. Use a marker to keep track of their position. - Higher temperature helps with water evaporation. Increasing temperature by 1-2 C degrees helps.
some things to try: - Heavy mist the bad cakes - Put cakes on a jar lid fill with water. - Close lid for 1-2 days until mycelium recovers(creates a proper surface). See Mateja's pictures. - Turn lid upside down. Wait a day and observe water on walls and cakes. - If necessary, rotate lid to create 4 equal and very small openings. - Adjust small openings to your enviroment to achive proper surface conditions(water evaporation happens on cakes' surface, but surface is always covered with small water beads). Mark current position on lid and tube.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Skropi]
#28680396 - 02/28/24 09:17 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
I really appreciate your reply! It seems I have vastly miscalculated the amount of FAE I need.
Thanks for your encouragement regarding the bad cakes, too! I’m gonna try to salvage them and transfer them to a small water tub to recover. 
Will post an update soon. Thanks again!
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: fungusul]
#28680401 - 02/28/24 09:20 PM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
Thank you so much for your detailed reply. This is honestly *exactly* what I needed! Really appreciate your help. Will post an update once I have something to report. Truly, thanks again!
|
BrokenHeart
Stranger than most



Registered: 02/27/23
Posts: 139
Last seen: 3 months, 3 days
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28680801 - 02/29/24 08:07 AM (3 months, 26 days ago) |
|
|
I love cakes. Every one else's info is top notch. I'll chime in with next time maybe give thought to covering the cakes in 5mm of Hydrated Coir. It was sketchy the first time I did it but it really works. I had a variety take 4 weeks after birth to pin then produced potent flushes, other variety did not bother with growing in coir just erupted a day or two after birth.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: BrokenHeart]
#28681079 - 02/29/24 11:50 AM (3 months, 25 days ago) |
|
|
Really appreciate your advice!
Back when I first tried this hobby, I learned everything from this resource I found back then called the magic mushroom growers guide. Its procedures didn’t call for any kind of roll-on on the cakes. Back then, I was really successful. This time, when I wasn’t immediately successful w my old crumby method, I learned about the dunk and roll method. I’ve used vermiculite so far, but I saw the water tub tek thread uses coir, too. I have plenty for my (cough) other horticulture, so I’ll try it on my bad cakes when they come out of the bath.
Thanks again for your encouragement and advice!
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28681088 - 02/29/24 11:56 AM (3 months, 25 days ago) |
|
|


After flipping the lid and dramatically narrowing the air gaps, I have nice wet walls this morning.
Related question: do the mushrooms grow off water stored in the cakes, or do they take in water from the air? I guess I’m wondering if and how to re-moisten cakes after they’ve been in an over-dry environment.
I took the two bad cakes out of that cooler and put the cooler away. Am soaking the two bad cakes now and plan to shut them up in a small water tank this pm in order to allow the mycelium to recover for a day or two. After that, I’ll add them to the fruiting chamber, which I hope will provide decent conditions.
In addition to moisture on the walls, are there other markers I could be measuring or looking for? Thanks so much to all those who’ve helped me out. Looking forward to getting this chamber dialed in before my next round of cakes get ready.
|
Yahra
Meow


Registered: 03/06/23
Posts: 2,627
Loc: Earth
Last seen: 35 minutes, 17 seconds
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Suityourself]
#28681101 - 02/29/24 12:03 PM (3 months, 25 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
do the mushrooms grow off water stored in the cakes, or do they take in water from the air?
The former. That's why you're supposed to mist the cakes every now and then.
|
Suityourself
Stranger
Registered: 02/02/24
Posts: 36
Last seen: 6 days, 22 hours
|
Re: Water tank cakes ain’t fruitin’ [Re: Yahra]
#28713266 - 03/25/24 12:24 PM (3 months, 21 hours ago) |
|
|

Am having some success thanks to all your good guidance. One of my cakes is producing great, but the other ones’ small mushrooms’ caps are turning black. Any ideas what’s up? What can I do to address this?
I’m misting once or twice daily to maintain what I believe to be the moist surface conditions w small droplets we are after. What do you think?
Thanks for any perspectives you can share!
|
|