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mush_monkey
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First timer - help with growing kit
#28709582 - 03/23/24 06:05 AM (3 months, 1 day ago) |
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Good day!
I recently started a P. McKennaii growth kit. It's been 8 days since I completed the instructions (soak overnight in fridge, remove excess water, put it in a closed hag wit 150ml of water and spray water on bag walls) and I'm getting the formations shown in the picture.
Is that normal? Bag has been unopened (it has like a paper valve in it) and kept in a place with plenty indirect sunlight at 21-22Celsius room temperature.
Than you in advance!
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
Edited by mush_monkey (04/28/24 05:53 AM)
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FlashBang
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey]
#28710321 - 03/23/24 05:26 PM (3 months, 1 day ago) |
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There are so many kits out there that I can only guess what you're doing. Are you saying that you bought a colonised substrate, that you then were supposed to essentially "dunk" and fruit? Looks like its cased in bare vermiculite? If thats the case, then I believe you are seeing fruit bodies, and no, that is not ideal or what you'd prefer to see. Doesn't mean it didn't sort of work. What are you doing for light? They look very deformed and without some sense of directional light, they won't have as good of chance at growing correctly. It may also be the substrate is a bit oversaturated. If all that I'm saying is correct, then I would figure out something better for light, increase air exchange, harvest when seems appropriate, and try for a better second flush, which is often the larger one anyways.
-------------------- "If you want to experiment do so at your own peril or joy but please do not assume that you are going to discover a new ground-breaking way of doing things." -Hitchhikers guide. "Don't mind if I do." -FlashBang
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: FlashBang]
#28711517 - 03/24/24 11:25 AM (3 months, 10 hours ago) |
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Thanks!
Yes, it's a container with an already colonized substrate (if my terminology is correct) and covered with something that might be very well be vermiculite.
Some pins (3 or 4)have appeared near the border of the container, fwiw.
I put the container on a console in a room with a north facing window, but not in front of the window; so the lighting is diffused, if that's the right word.
If I put a screen in front of the container so that light can't reach it horizontally, do you think that mushrooms would grow more vertically?
Thanks again!
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
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FlashBang
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey] 1
#28712803 - 03/24/24 10:57 PM (2 months, 30 days ago) |
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There are a million different ways to do things. Bare vermiculite isn't an ideal casing, but people do it, and some don't case at all for cubes. It would be better to have light coming from above, but you're working with what you've got. Just harvest those when you think they've gotten to size. Kinda hard to tell with mutants. Second flushes seem to have a better chance of being near the the middle and less on the edge, so hopefully you get a better second one. There are definetly setups where you can add lighting and various things, but thats probably for next time.
-------------------- "If you want to experiment do so at your own peril or joy but please do not assume that you are going to discover a new ground-breaking way of doing things." -Hitchhikers guide. "Don't mind if I do." -FlashBang
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IamBrick

Registered: 08/08/23
Posts: 248
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey] 1
#28712854 - 03/25/24 12:50 AM (2 months, 30 days ago) |
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Those are side pin blobs. Blobs are normal for quite a few vars. If you have sidepins on first flush you're going to continue getting them in concurrent flushes. They aren't caused by light coming from the side of the tub, it's generally poor surface conditions, and a gap on the sides that creates a better microclimate. Just be happy you're getting something from a kit. I would recommend reading the HHG if you're interested in cult and doing the while process on your own with greater success. https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28501530
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Giermmo
You fuckin' druggo



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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: IamBrick]
#28712899 - 03/25/24 03:18 AM (2 months, 30 days ago) |
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I'd just do a few sprays of the water on the surface and then just let it ride. There isn't much you can do anyway sice you bought grow kit, start from the scratch next time, atleast you can collect your spores from this grow.
-------------------- Don't worry mate, what you're gonna feel is a slight burning in your heart, your lungs, your brain, your kidneys, your liver, bottom of your feet, your eyeballs, then you start bleeding from your nose and ears, then you start tripping out and seeing everything in the form of an anime cartoon which is really fucking cool.
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: Giermmo]
#28713467 - 03/25/24 03:44 PM (2 months, 30 days ago) |
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Thanks everybody! The center of the substrate surface did seem a little dry so I sprayed a little water. Let's see what happens.
Boy, the hitch hiker guide is hard to parse! I think it could use some more acronyms, amirite?
If I'm getting this right,
- you could skip the agar phase and inject the spore syringes directly into the sterile substrate jar and the reason not to do it is because it's more prone to contamination?
- if you use agar, you just put a piece on the jar, no need for syringe
- in the pf-tek thread you make some holes on the lid and then sterilize. In a comment, it is mentioned that you should cover them with micropore tape. Maybe this is a stupid question but, you cover the holes before or after sterilizing? Along the same line, won't plastic lids/poyfill mat melt when sterilizing?
Also, if I collect the spores (making a print an putting in a syringe with distilled water,I suppose), isn't the risk of contamination very high? Is the solution to that making many several agar dishes and praying for one not to be contaminated? If so, isn't it better to just by the syringe from a professional?
Thanks again and sorry if the questions are dumb.
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
Edited by mush_monkey (03/25/24 03:45 PM)
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IamBrick

Registered: 08/08/23
Posts: 248
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey] 1
#28713481 - 03/25/24 04:06 PM (2 months, 30 days ago) |
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There's a lot to unpack here. Really you need to pick your path, it sounds like you are undecided between pf tek and bulk grows. Agar is unnecessary for pf tek, but is mandatory for bulk. Regardless of the path you choose you'll want to take a spore print from the mush you get so you can proceed in either direction.
-MP tape can be used for pf but not completely necessary since it has the dry verm layer on top to "protect" it while colonizing, mp tape is a shit filter but better than nothing I guess, also would help retain some of the moisture but again not necessary. -PE plastic will melt in a PC but PP plastic will not. -Polyfill is oldschool, standard filters now that actually work are either 0.3 micron SFD stickers or large SFD that can be cut to size and silicone in place. These would be used for grain jars if you decide to go that route which will include agar work. -PF tek is designed to work even with some contamination present, thats the whole point of it, that and ease of use without a PC. If you would like to know how to make a MSS there are teks for that, its not very complicated.
Edited by IamBrick (03/25/24 04:12 PM)
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Yahra
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey]
#28713482 - 03/25/24 04:09 PM (2 months, 30 days ago) |
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Quote:
Boy, the hitch hiker guide is hard to parse! I think it could use some more acronyms, amirite?
Here's the Glossary and Lexicon of The Online Mushroom Community's (OMC) terms. Might help with the acronyms.
Quote:
you could skip the agar phase and inject the spore syringes directly into the sterile substrate jar and the reason not to do it is because it's more prone to contamination?
Never ever inject spores directly into grains. With Pf tek and BRF / verm substrate on the other hand, this is perfectly fine.
Quote:
if you use agar, you just put a piece on the jar, no need for syringe
You need syringes for Pf tek because of the dry verm layer.
Quote:
you cover the holes before or after sterilizing? Along the same line, won't plastic lids/poyfill mat melt when sterilizing?
You don't need to cover the holes with tape because of the dry verm layer. Just use metal lids and drill 4 holes (or use a hammer and a nail).
Quote:
Also, if I collect the spores (making a print an putting in a syringe with distilled water,I suppose), isn't the risk of contamination very high? Is the solution to that making many several agar dishes and praying for one not to be contaminated? If so, isn't it better to just by the syringe from a professional?
Spore prints / syringes are inherently dirty, even the ones from professional vendors. That's why you are supposed to clean them up on agar first. Unless you're doing Pf tek.
Please read the Updated PF Tek Guide for details.
Edited by Yahra (03/25/24 04:18 PM)
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: Yahra]
#28714839 - 03/26/24 02:35 PM (2 months, 29 days ago) |
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Thank you to everyone. That was very useful! Looks I may be trying the PF-Tek thing after I've finished ruining the grow kit.
If I can abuse your patience, what's the point of inoculating the jar in a still air box? You have your jars closed with the lid with holes and covered in foil, apply the syringe, remove the foil and store it on a shelf. Does that not eliminate any reduction in the contamination risk that operating inside the SAB might have provided?
Also, once you've harvested the first flush, what do you do with the cakes for further harvesting. Soak them in water, misting,...?
Thanks again.
P.S. The kit is producing an abomination : all pins on the sides, huge blobs, fat stems and diminutive caps (I've started fanning, I think I read somewhere that's the thing to do), you name it. Am I supposed to harvest the blobs and the aborts too? Do they contain any psylocibin? Also, with such a small caps, how do you know when it's time to harvest?
Thanks again!
P.S. My kit is producing very strange abominations
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
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IamBrick

Registered: 08/08/23
Posts: 248
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey] 1
#28714903 - 03/26/24 02:58 PM (2 months, 29 days ago) |
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You have alot of questions here and I'll answer a few. A SAB for pf tek isn't necessary but recommended, it just increases your odds even though you're shooting spores into it. If you ever go further than PF tek you will 100% need one anyways so its not a bad investment. Second flush you can either soak the cake or heavy mist, I would probably just mist since you haven't gotten very many fruits it shouldn't be terribly dry. Never fan, fanning will only dry your sub out, that's old tek. For fruits with no cap you will have to just go by feel of the stip/blob, they will get squishy when they're done growing, feel kinda like a stale marshmellow.
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stockw

Registered: 08/31/21
Posts: 533
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey]
#28714909 - 03/26/24 02:59 PM (2 months, 29 days ago) |
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Hello mate, can't expound on PF as I've no experience but I can answer a few queries:
The benefit of inoculating in an SAB is the fact that inoculating grain should always be in a "sterile" environment. SAB is an effective method for inoculation due to the fact that an SAB is mitigating any airborne contaminants when done correctly. There's many good SAB teks on here that explain the process efficiently.
Post first flush you want to rehydrate; some will soak the cake in water for 12-24 hours & tip it out, others will mist heavily until pooling, as long as your cake has enough water to produce another flush is all that matters & that just requires keeping an eye on it.
Shoot a picture of the current state of affairs & advice will benefit.
But yes pins & blobs contain psilocybin & aren't waste product, they can be used in tea or for other extracts.
If your caps have opened & the veil is broken they're good to go, but if they're as weird as they sound that might not happen. Again do post a picture.
Don't be discouraged as you have fruits & that's a lot more than most get on their first attempt especially with a kit.
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: stockw]
#28714940 - 03/26/24 03:16 PM (2 months, 29 days ago) |
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Don't say I didn't warn you
If everything has psylocibin, besides tea, I can just eat them, right?
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
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Shroomerquest



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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey]
#28714976 - 03/26/24 03:30 PM (2 months, 29 days ago) |
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Besides tea??
--------------------
 Relax…yOu’re triPping
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IamBrick

Registered: 08/08/23
Posts: 248
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey]
#28715017 - 03/26/24 03:49 PM (2 months, 29 days ago) |
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Ok that's alot more mush than the first pic alluded to. My vote would be dunk it, that tiny little cake is gonna be dry as hell.
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit - now harvest or not?! [Re: IamBrick]
#28716065 - 03/27/24 11:41 AM (2 months, 28 days ago) |
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It's only been 13 days since I activated the grow kit and a couple of mushrooms are already showing the gills.
I am supposed to harvest all of them now, right? Even the tiniest ones (<1/4 in)?
I was expecting to see some veil in the cap and what not, but apparently this caps are too ball-like. How do I go about making some spore prints? I'm assuming that those showing the gills do not have spores any more, right?
I know there's nothing to be done now, but do you think it's likely that I'm losing potency because of the late harvest?
Thanks in advance.
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey]
#28716176 - 03/27/24 01:42 PM (2 months, 28 days ago) |
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Well, I ended harvesting most of them. 135g counting the half bag of vermiculite that stuck to the shrooms . They don't look to bluish, though.
I'll see if the rest grow and harvest them tomorrow and try to get a second flush. Maybe I'll have better luck with the caps and can get a print
Thanks everyone for the help!
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: IamBrick]
#28753209 - 04/28/24 06:08 AM (1 month, 27 days ago) |
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Took me a month but I'm starting to get it now,;) thank you!
I'm trying everything at least once (we're strictly talking mushrooms cultivation here, btw)
Also, I never got to clarify that the grow kit was a 1200ml of 100% colonized rye container cased in vermiculite. I've got 50g + of dried mushrooms in 4 flushes, so I'm trying a fifth time. Potency seems nothing to write home about, but I'll be able to confirm later in the day.
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
Edited by mush_monkey (04/28/24 08:00 AM)
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RichMyco
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: mush_monkey] 2
#28753225 - 04/28/24 06:26 AM (1 month, 27 days ago) |
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I believe its the opposite, I'd remove the vendor name just to be safe.
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mush_monkey
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Re: First timer - help with growing kit [Re: RichMyco]
#28753311 - 04/28/24 08:30 AM (1 month, 27 days ago) |
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Fixed it! For the record, I meant it as a good thing, wasn't expecting such a yield, seeing how it started.
-------------------- P. Cubensis Odisha
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