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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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New Hitchhiker Learns Not to Panic
#28786369 - 05/24/24 03:04 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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Editing to remove forbidden content Edited Thread Title to be a little more upbeat 

Ok. Trying not to panic. My second tub has gone down to the green monster. I’m going to take it outside, mix it with coir and bury it, or put it in a plant pot. Other tubs and bags look fine for now, but…
I have everything inside of still air boxes, which I lysol the bejeezus out of. They’re inside a closet which is only accessed for mushroom related activities. I don’t always take a shower before stepping into the closet, but if I’m interacting with the stuff inside the SABs, at a minimum I lysol the closet air, lysol inside the box, alcohol my arms, put on gloves and a surgical mask, then alcohol the glove. This contaminated bin was in a separate SAB from the other contaminated bin. It seemed like colonization was sluggish, and there were fuzzy tops to the mycelium, so I had flipped the lid a week ago to increase free air exchange. Also I hadn’t put a casing layer of coir on it.
I haven’t opened any of the other tubs since breaking up the uncle ben mycelium pucks into sterile coco about a week ago. They seem to be coming along ok, if a little slow, but I also made sure they were at field capacity of moisture before mixing in the rice. The grow bags had colonized and stalled out at around 30% so after two months I finally did the break and shake on them, looks like they’re proceeding ok.
Also, I had brushed off the uncolonized rice into another bin, and dropped the open bags in as well and sealed it up. That rice is starting to colonize with mycelium, looks ok, figured I’d keep it sealed and see if it fruits. But now I don’t know what to do, if anything. Just leave them all alone and check weekly for more green monsters?
Here’s the rest - btw the green in the tub with the rice bags and spent rice is just a piece of a green bag, not monster - I hope!
Is it a bad idea to try to grow these tubs inside the SAB? Am I suffocating them with Lysol? Too wet? Help!




Edited by ArkaNaut (05/28/24 09:17 AM)
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Looking4Myself
From The Planet Melmac



Registered: 02/29/24
Posts: 62
Loc: Melmac
Last seen: 29 days, 7 hours
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut]
#28786399 - 05/24/24 03:33 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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I noticed two things right off the top
You mentioned uncle bens. You are asking for contamination from the start. Nobody will recommend anything to do with Uncle Bens here.
“Also I hadn’t put a casing layer of coir on it.”
I’ve always used a casing layer. Exposed grains are a major vector for contam.
I’d recommend reading the Hitchhikers guide here:
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28501530/fpart/9#28785433
It will answer a lot of your questions. It’s hard to see from your pictures but everything does look very wet. Some of those bins look like they are swimming. 🤷🏼♂️
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Thank you, I will read that. I thought they looked wet as well, but I’m terrified to open any lids for fear of introducing contam. I’ll see if hitchhiker has the answer.
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wosbit
Stranger
Registered: 03/02/23
Posts: 222
Last seen: 9 days, 4 hours
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut]
#28786441 - 05/24/24 04:05 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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No offense, but for all the precautions you take, those tubs look sloppy as shit. If there's one really important piece of advice, it's get to know what field capacity means.
Also, Uncle Ben's has a high contam rate, most people here are opposed to it, but I also understand that some people are super stubborn. I had great success with UB, but still, I would never go back. Let us know what your next steps are and we can help
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alligator


Registered: 03/28/24
Posts: 199
Last seen: 3 days, 5 hours
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: wosbit]
#28786466 - 05/24/24 04:26 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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I started with PF Tek with a water tub and it was really easy. 5 weeks to 22 grams dried and now I'm going for a second flush. If this route doesn't work out, there are other options.
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: wosbit]
#28786483 - 05/24/24 04:37 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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No offense taken, I just want to get better. I did everything in the still air box, so my arm positioning was really awkward. I was inclined to try to clean them up more, but I wanted to manipulate them as little as possible.
Here is the trich bin safely outside. I won’t be going near my grow closet without showering first after this.


There are several next steps I’m considering. 1. Crack all the lids to decrease moisture 2. I’ve read that precooked rice bags can be the source of trich, as can the coir, so - i should get set up to sterilize my own grain jars. Starting from scratch so I’d appreciate any advice there - i should get set up to use agar. Maybe I can sample these bins to make backup plates after doing sterile transfers so I don’t need to buy more spores or lc 3. I didn’t include the whole closet in the pictures. There are some old linens and other fabrics in there. Thought they wouldn’t matter since I was in the SABs but I think they have to go 4. I’m wondering about how I might convert the closet into a Martha setup. Use the SABs for sterile transfers and have a separate area for spawning to bulk. 5. I love the idea of the outdoor tek. I’ve had some consolation knowing the trichoderma is good for the compost and garden, and that I could someday have some volunteer cubes poke up amidst the radishes.
Those are my thoughts. I have done some bench science back in the day, and I’m fascinated with the home labs I’ve seen on here. First though, I just want a single decent flush ! I hope that’s still possible out of this mess I’ve made haha.
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: wosbit]
#28786488 - 05/24/24 04:41 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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Patting the casing layer with my fingers I got it as flat as I could, with the awkward angle inside the SAB. Is there a trick to getting it properly level and compacted?
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wosbit
Stranger
Registered: 03/02/23
Posts: 222
Last seen: 9 days, 4 hours
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut]
#28786493 - 05/24/24 04:44 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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So, nobody mixes in a SAB. Once you have clean spawn and substrate, mix open air. Do it comfortably. The problem is probably your spawn. Also don't buy premade substrate, making CVG is super simple and cheap. If I was you, I'd buy quality premade grain bags and make my own CVG sub. It'll probably come out cheaper than what you're doing too.
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alligator


Registered: 03/28/24
Posts: 199
Last seen: 3 days, 5 hours
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut]
#28786497 - 05/24/24 04:46 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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Quote:
ArkaNaut said: Patting the casing layer with my fingers I got it as flat as I could, with the awkward angle inside the SAB. Is there a trick to getting it properly level and compacted?
It's not real obvious because it's a link in the hitchhiker's guide, but check the beefy tub tek: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28558116#28558116
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: alligator]
#28786536 - 05/24/24 05:22 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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Thanks! That's brilliant. So what I'm gathering is that I could take my tubs out of the SAB, wipe the water off the sides and clean off the speckles of coir all over the place, and if they contaminate it's probably from the grain in those cheap rice bags.
Also, would it make sense to bucket up another brick of coir, then add another casing layer that I pat down properly nice and flat?
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BeefSupremeJr
Detritivore



Registered: 11/02/11
Posts: 7,965
Loc: 29.9792° N, 31.1342° E
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut] 3
#28786592 - 05/24/24 05:54 PM (1 month, 2 days ago) |
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Quote:
ArkaNaut said: Thanks! That's brilliant. So what I'm gathering is that I could take my tubs out of the SAB, wipe the water off the sides and clean off the speckles of coir all over the place, and if they contaminate it's probably from the grain in those cheap rice bags.
Also, would it make sense to bucket up another brick of coir, then add another casing layer that I pat down properly nice and flat?
damn brother. kinda got a mess goin.
id honestly just say read the hhg first. then i think you might know what to do with the mess you presently have, and will have a clear idea of where you should hitchhike to next.
ill be waiting when youre ready pard. welcome to my favorite hobby. dont panic. it gets really fun and endlessly rewarding.
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meta_mmxxii


Registered: 08/03/23
Posts: 794
Loc: PNW
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All of those pics are horrible looking, also I would not be using that glovebox for anything. You are just looking for trouble. Every time you stick your arms in there will cause great turbulence and completely negate the purpose of what you are trying to accomplish. You need to make a SAB (still air box) to even have a chance at a sterile technique. Also, there is no need to have your tubs inside anything, once you open your grain jars to send to bulk there will be contamination all over your spawn, if you start with clean spawn, it will overcome any contamination you expose it to and will fruit successfully. The whole trick is starting with known clean spawn, the slightest bit of contamination in your spawn will cause trouble. As for the person that said he was successful using Uncle Ben's tek has been fortunate, and really is not a viable tek. Even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while  Please do yourself a favor before you proceed any further in your cult career and do as others have stated and read the Hitchhikers guide completely, then you will have a good grasp on how to be successful. I wish you luck my friend.
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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The blue tubes are open ended sleeves, you put on disposable gloves and insert into the ends of the sleeves then press in - is it better just to have holes and no sleeves?
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Quote:
BeefSupremeJr said:
Quote:
ArkaNaut said: Thanks! That's brilliant. So what I'm gathering is that I could take my tubs out of the SAB, wipe the water off the sides and clean off the speckles of coir all over the place, and if they contaminate it's probably from the grain in those cheap rice bags.
Also, would it make sense to bucket up another brick of coir, then add another casing layer that I pat down properly nice and flat?
damn brother. kinda got a mess goin.
id honestly just say read the hhg first. then i think you might know what to do with the mess you presently have, and will have a clear idea of where you should hitchhike to next.
ill be waiting when youre ready pard. welcome to my favorite hobby. dont panic. it gets really fun and endlessly rewarding.
I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. I started out reading guides posted on reddit. I suppose the unclebens subreddit might be biased towards ub tek. It was a low barrier to entry for getting started, as opposed to just reading about cultivation, but now I’m seeing that in some ways I was doomed from the start with potentially contaminated grain.
My current grows will either give me some shrooms to eat, or trich for the garden, and perspective on what not to do next round.
Reading the hitchhiker guide now.
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spacebear
bear paws



Registered: 03/10/24
Posts: 119
Loc: Cassini Division, Saturn, Milk...
Last seen: 10 hours, 42 minutes
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut]
#28787238 - 05/25/24 09:19 AM (1 month, 1 day ago) |
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Yeah, gloveboxes aren't really great for mycological purposes. The primary thing of importance when using a SAB is STILL air. Not sanitized but still. And reddit is NOT the place to get mush cult information. Everything you need is on this fine site right here
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Goatrider
Rhythm Guitarist



Registered: 04/08/20
Posts: 4,633
Loc: Germany
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut] 1
#28787243 - 05/25/24 09:22 AM (1 month, 1 day ago) |
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Quote:
ArkaNaut said: The blue tubes are open ended sleeves, you put on disposable gloves and insert into the ends of the sleeves then press in - is it better just to have holes and no sleeves?
You have a TAB this way, a Turbulent Air Box. With every single movement you´ll force up air currents. A Still Air Box has no sleeves, just two holes, comfortable in size. I melted mine with a beer barrel, ~17-18cm in diameter. You can test the size on a cardboard box before you start making holes in plastic. I recommend to build a solid SAB, and use that wobble box for something else
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: Goatrider]
#28787429 - 05/25/24 11:41 AM (1 month, 1 day ago) |
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Quote:
Goatrider said:
Quote:
ArkaNaut said: The blue tubes are open ended sleeves, you put on disposable gloves and insert into the ends of the sleeves then press in - is it better just to have holes and no sleeves?
You have a TAB this way, a Turbulent Air Box. With every single movement you´ll force up air currents. A Still Air Box has no sleeves, just two holes, comfortable in size. I melted mine with a beer barrel, ~17-18cm in diameter. You can test the size on a cardboard box before you start making holes in plastic. I recommend to build a solid SAB, and use that wobble box for something else 
🤣 wobble box, turbulent air box 🤣 Makes sense. Pushing in those sleeves with sterile gloves is really just a glovebox with replacable gloves. Shoves the air around instead of clean hands going through wide enough holes that as air is displaced it exits exactly where the hands are going in, minimizing air turbulence.
I guess I’ll use these turbulent air wobble boxes to store sweaters or something 🤣
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Quailbeach
Godchaux
Registered: 02/01/24
Posts: 65
Loc: West Coast
Last seen: 4 hours, 46 minutes
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut] 2
#28787448 - 05/25/24 11:51 AM (1 month, 1 day ago) |
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Every expert was once a beginner. I’m new at this hobby too and have been zenning on the attitude that each mistake is an opportunity to learn. Little by little, we’ll both get this down. I think my biggest leap these past few months was learning agar and making grain spawn in a pressure cooker. Took so many contamination chances out of the equation. Good luck, we’ll get this!
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: Quailbeach] 1
#28787507 - 05/25/24 12:26 PM (1 month, 1 day ago) |
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Quote:
Quailbeach said: Every expert was once a beginner. I’m new at this hobby too and have been zenning on the attitude that each mistake is an opportunity to learn. Little by little, we’ll both get this down. I think my biggest leap these past few months was learning agar and making grain spawn in a pressure cooker. Took so many contamination chances out of the equation. Good luck, we’ll get this!
Thank you! I’m keeping that same attitude. Agar and grain spawn are definitely in my future. At the moment though, I have several tubs that I miiiiight be able to cross the finish line and get some sort of crop, so that’s where all my effort is going. Good luck to you too!
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ArkaNaut
Grumpy Meat Goblin


Registered: 05/13/24
Posts: 247
Last seen: 40 minutes, 28 seconds
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Re: First Timer Discouraged [Re: ArkaNaut]
#28787520 - 05/25/24 12:38 PM (1 month, 1 day ago) |
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Editing to remove forbidden content
What follows will be multiple posts asking for help and advice on specific aspects of my current grow. I ditched the turbulent air wobble boxes. Now I can get a better look at the bags and bins, and I’m hopeful to get some feedback on next steps. My next overall attempt will probably be pftek, per the hitchhiker guide recommendation. So first, what appears to be my best prospect. This is a B+ LC inoculated 3/17 to a grow bag containing coco coir, aged manure, worm castings, vermiculite, whole oats, milo, gypsum, and lime.





Should I: Leave this alone another week? Cut open the bag and cross my fingers? Cut open the bag and case it with coir? Put another hole in the bag and cover it with micropore? Dig a hole in my yard and attempt an outdoor tek? Plant it in a pot with some kind of casing? Some other thing?
Edited by ArkaNaut (05/25/24 02:55 PM)
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