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philistine4life
eater of shit
Registered: 10/01/01
Posts: 147
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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vermiculite to fine???
#442580 - 10/30/01 10:48 PM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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my verm i just bought is very fine. ive never grown before so i dont know if its too fine. pics and people describe it as little pebbles, but this stuff is more like dust. could using verm this fine inhibit mycelial colonization by not leaving space?
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Shdwstr
FSRCanada
Registered: 02/17/01
Posts: 2,156
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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The fine verm will work fine. Just make sure not to pack it into your jars to tightly. The fine verm also makes for a better top (dry) barrier for your jars. Shdwstr
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philistine4life
eater of shit
Registered: 10/01/01
Posts: 147
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Re: vermiculite to fine??? [Re: Shdwstr]
#442742 - 10/31/01 01:49 AM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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ive heard that fine is good for the a layer above the substrate, but wouldnt a verm very fine be more densely packed and slow mycelial growth even if i dont physically pack it tight?
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philistine4life
eater of shit
Registered: 10/01/01
Posts: 147
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Re: vermiculite too fine??? [Re: Shdwstr]
#442743 - 10/31/01 01:49 AM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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ive heard that fine is good for the a layer above the substrate, but wouldnt a verm very fine be more densely packed and slow mycelial growth even if i dont physically pack it tight?
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SlattMoan
member
Registered: 10/09/01
Posts: 119
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you've brought two different aspects of using vermiculite to question: substrate and casing... substrate: vermiculite within the substrate holds moisture and allows air pockets. you would think that powdery vermiculite would prevent air pockets within the substrate, and would also cause the substrate to hold too much moisture. i've never seen vermiculite fine enough to effect this enough to matter, so i wouldn't worry. also, if your wondering about the vermiculite in the top layer of your jars... that's only there to act as a barrier against contams, so the finer the better if you ask me. casing: i'm pretty new to the casing world, but it works miracles compared to just fruiting cakes. vermiculite within the casing works as a hydrator to the substrate below and as a reservoir for excess water below. you would not want a powder in the bottom casing, as it may cause contamination problems in 2nd and 3rd flushes. you can add peat moss to your casing to prevent this. check out Ryche Hawk's 50/50 tek in the grow/find-casing section....works great.
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philistine4life
eater of shit
Registered: 10/01/01
Posts: 147
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Re: vermiculite to fine??? [Re: SlattMoan]
#442776 - 10/31/01 02:47 AM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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you stated that the purpose of verm in the substrate is to provide moisture and air pockets. thats why i am worried finr verm would leave little space for air. you say in your experience all verm, regardless of size does the trick...how many cakes have you done with different verm? thanks.
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Shdwstr
FSRCanada
Registered: 02/17/01
Posts: 2,156
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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I've used both course and fine verm in the substate and found the fine verm to actually colonize faster and more evenly. There will be plenty of space for the mycelium as long as you don't pack it tight. The fine verm does provide a better barrier for the top of your jars as well. Avoiding contams in the verm casing is easy. Whether you use straight verm or a 50/50 verm/peat casing, just mix a 10% solution of 3% H2O2 and water to mix your casing with. No need to sterilize or pasturize it. I use this on both the top and bottom. 1 - 2 inches on bottom, and 1/2 inch to 1 inch on top, and have not had any contam problems in a very long time. Use the same H2O2 water solution for any misting you need to do. Enjoy Shdwstr
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MAIA
World-BridgerKartikeya (DftS)
Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 7,396
Loc: Erra - 20 Tauri - M45 Sta...
Last seen: 2 months, 16 days
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Granulated cork also works as a top barrier, just to spare some verm. BTW, i bought one (big) 120L bag of verm for 13$50, how much do you guys pay for that amount ? Just to see if i payed too much. Peace, MAIA
-------------------- Spiritual being, living a human experience ... The Shroomery Mandala Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy. Voltaire
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Necron99
Protect youreyes from flyingsugar!
Registered: 09/07/01
Posts: 735
Loc: SATx
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: vermiculite to fine??? [Re: MAIA]
#443107 - 10/31/01 12:05 PM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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Where did you find that?
-------------------- "Puny earthlings do not yet know the meaning of the word suffering!!"
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MAIA
World-BridgerKartikeya (DftS)
Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 7,396
Loc: Erra - 20 Tauri - M45 Sta...
Last seen: 2 months, 16 days
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Re: vermiculite to fine??? [Re: Necron99]
#443142 - 10/31/01 12:40 PM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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I bought it in a store near my place, but i think the verm. is from Spain (i'm from Portugal). I have to go down the office building to check into my car, i can provide details tomorrow if you want. Peace, MAIA
-------------------- Spiritual being, living a human experience ... The Shroomery Mandala Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy. Voltaire
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Necron99
Protect youreyes from flyingsugar!
Registered: 09/07/01
Posts: 735
Loc: SATx
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: vermiculite to fine??? [Re: MAIA]
#443474 - 10/31/01 06:14 PM (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thx.
-------------------- "Puny earthlings do not yet know the meaning of the word suffering!!"
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newtothis3
Stranger
Registered: 11/02/14
Posts: 149
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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I'm not expert but I didn't have very good luck when I made BRF caces out of the fine verm. I didn't realize I had bought this until I opened the package. I haven't tried using it to top the jar though.
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