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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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mycobag test with Ecuador
#507866 - 01/02/02 02:52 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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I don't usually grow like this, but I thought it would be a good idea to test out this product so I would know what kind of problems to expect when questions arise.
I truthfully didn't really expect much more than colonized substrate and at best a few stunted or aborted pins. I expected poor air exchange and high CO2 buildup would stall growth. But the pictures posted by psilocyber using the Puerto Rican strain looked promising. This is what I got using Ecuador.
This is the result after 26 days after inoculation at 78-80F in "full light" (I don't always follow the directions precisely). The pen mark circle is the injection area (covered in clear packaging tape). The mushrooms are fatter than the Puerto Rican and are showing some signs of CO2 buildup (reduced caps). But I was pleased with the results when compared to the effort involved. There wasn't any visible spore deposits even though the gills are dark. I don't expect these mushrooms to print well.
The harvested mushrooms weighed in at 50.5 grams fresh weight. Which should dry to about 5 grams. Not too bad for a first flush. I harvested at day 26, but I should have harvested a couple of days earlier to catch the largest mushrooms just when the veil tore.
My hand in the image for scale.
I retaped the bag after harvest to see if it will flush again and I expect it will.
A few notes on using the mycobags.
Clean injection area with alcohol and let it evaporate completely so the tape will stick. Have a strip of tape ready and quickly inject into the bag. Immediately tape the hole. Make sure the hole is completely sealed by the tape by smoothing it out with your fingers. Any tiny gaps or wrinkles in the tape or bag leading to the hole will allow in contaminates. This is the only weak point in the process. A bad syringe or improper injection and taping may cause failure.
Try not to squeeze the air out of the bag while injecting. The larger the plenum, the better the air exchange.
Once the bag is colonized, resist handling the sides of the "cake". You may damage developing pins. If you must handle the bag often (I know I did), support it with your hand on the bottom.
Once the "cake" is fully colonized it should be stuck tightly to the bag. Don't intentionally pull the plastic away from the sides of the "cake". Any space between the "cake" and the plastic will tend to form pins that may not be able to grow normally. In my test, fruits did best when they started 1/4 inch or less below the edge of the "cake". Suprisingly, none formed in the exposed top center.
More images and information about the Myco Environment Bag can be found at.
http://www.sporeworks.com/mycobag.html
"I'll be damned, it works!!"
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
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Exotic Spore Supply
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Edited by Workman (01/02/02 02:59 PM)
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pkeffect
newbie

Registered: 09/27/01
Posts: 26
Loc: somewhere above the cloud...
Last seen: 23 years, 21 days
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#509117 - 01/03/02 04:04 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Well it looks like someone has finally created a device to help the mentally challenged to cultivate mushrooms.
That's wonderful.
-------------------- Life is like...well...you know...
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#510280 - 01/04/02 04:05 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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I dried the mushrooms in a food dehydrator set at 100F for 24 hours. They are very dry. Total recovered weight from 50.5 grams = 5.9 grams which is 11.7 % dry matter. A better than average density for mushrooms. Without more trials, it is hard to say whether the density is strain or method related. I have never bothered to check the typical density of a cased grain grown Ecuador.
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chadd
Stranger
Registered: 01/02/02
Posts: 20
Loc: PA
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: pkeffect]
#510299 - 01/04/02 04:28 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Just wondering, what is the mixture made of in the bag? and would any bag work for this or would you need a speacial bag? thanks for the help
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pleezr
fuct

Registered: 12/22/01
Posts: 1,708
Loc: NW
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: chadd]
#510372 - 01/04/02 06:13 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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so 5.9 grams dry is all the mycobag harvests? are those the only 5 mushies you got from that bag? are there flushes?
-------------------- pleezr
"Tell me about the fucking golf shoes!!"
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: pleezr]
#510465 - 01/04/02 08:34 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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It is flushing again, but yeah, so far only those mushrooms from the bag. I'll post again when/if I get another harvest from that same bag. It is a small bag with a relatively small amount of substrate so I don't expect pounds of mushrooms. It probably has the volume of at least 3 halfpints worth of substrate, maybe more. The kit is intended as a nearly foolproof way to get at least some mushrooms for personal use. I wouldn't recommend it to those that have already succeeded with equivelent cake teks or other more advanced and more productive methods.
The substrate is birdseed and vermiculite and am I told, some grain flours. The bags are heat resistant culture bags with a filter patch welded to them for air exchange. Everything is sealed and presterilized when you get it. Just inject, tape and wait.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
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Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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Swirl
Stranger
Registered: 01/04/02
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#510504 - 01/04/02 09:18 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hey workman, is there any tweeking you can think of to make the yields or the fruits better? like opening the bag once in a while after pins appear to increase air exchange or adding some water in between flushes???
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Swirl]
#510674 - 01/05/02 12:09 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hehe, well the point is to make it foolproof, compact and handsoff. Obviously the environment is not ideal for perfect fruits or maximum yields, but to improve the environment requires opening the bag and exposing it possible infection.
After the bag is fully colonized, any method described for grain spawn or pf style cakes can be used. Casing, perlite/sterlite tek, spawning larger substrates, etc.
I would recommend letting the first crop mature in the bag and then do experiments with later flushes. You have to open the bag to harvest anyway, so why not take a chance and see what you can do after you have secured at least part of the bags potential.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
The Spore Works
Exotic Spore Supply
My Instagram
Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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felix


Registered: 01/20/00
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#510723 - 01/05/02 01:37 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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quite foolproof.
once it is fully colonized and producing pins....i don't see a reason why you couldn't open it up to fan it out. the possiblity of it becoming contaminated aren't too high. people with manual terrariums fan their cakes out sometimes 3 times a day.
-------------------- Real botanists laugh at HPS systems, we do however use high pressure sodium in the parking lot. - artthug
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Hippie3
mycotopiate


Registered: 11/06/99
Posts: 3,090
Loc: mycotopia.net
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#510832 - 01/05/02 08:28 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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pretty damn good for only 26 days.
thx for sharing.
-------------------- Admin @ mycotopia.net
Mycotopia
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Insomnia
addict
Registered: 07/17/00
Posts: 345
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#510901 - 01/05/02 10:47 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hi,
I was one of the winners of four environment bags a while back. While I took my time getting around to introducing a liquid spore suspension to the bags, I must say that in the time I waited (nearly a week) no contams showed up. I didn't really keep track of how long this or that took, but after a week or so in fluctuating temps, I had a nice block of mycelia. I crumbled the substrate, shook the bag to redistribute the mycelia, and a few days later more was colonized.
No pins yet, but I'll post pics to the appropriate forum when I'm near harvest.
-------------------- "If you believe in things you do not understand, you will suffer." ? Stevie Wonder
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#512354 - 01/06/02 06:02 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Image of a 2nd bag of Ecuador that was lagging a few days behind the first. This is 30 days after innoculation. There is only 3 harvestable mushrooms in the bag, but they weigh 59.6 grams.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
The Spore Works
Exotic Spore Supply
My Instagram
Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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manna420
dazed andconfused

Registered: 12/16/01
Posts: 54
Loc: undesirable
Last seen: 14 years, 11 months
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#512598 - 01/06/02 09:03 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hey workman,
I am also doing a Myco-bag with equador.Could you tell me how these things colonize...i got very little visible mycelium....at what time in the 30 day span did they seem to take off??Should i also expect 30 days till harvest or will it vary much??I keep them at 84'F........Thanks for all the help you fellow shroomerites provide..!!
-------------------- "The white man goes into his church house and talks about Jesus;
the indian goes into his tepee and talks to Jesus."
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: manna420]
#512651 - 01/06/02 09:56 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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You're the one with the frozen Ralphster syringe, right? That might have some effect on your results so its hard to compare. I am interested in pictures of the final result if that is possible.
I didn't pay close attention to the growth after I first noticed it at around day 4 after innoculation. It seemed to progress rapidly after that. What day are you on?
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
The Spore Works
Exotic Spore Supply
My Instagram
Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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manna420
dazed andconfused

Registered: 12/16/01
Posts: 54
Loc: undesirable
Last seen: 14 years, 11 months
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#513038 - 01/07/02 09:25 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah i got the frozen syringe but my jars are doing pretty well with it.....its just the myco bags seem like they are lagging a bit....the bags are just over a week so i am probally being impatient with them.I havent had a whole lot of luck with this whole mycology thing and im eager to reap some rewards after all the $ and work i put into it.I had these little clumps of mycelium on top of my bags..i guess this is where i droped the solution but i pushed them down into the substrate and i think there starting to branh off to the surrounding medium.Thanks for taking the time to help..!!
-------------------- "The white man goes into his church house and talks about Jesus;
the indian goes into his tepee and talks to Jesus."
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DinoMyc
Ipsa scientiapotestas est
Registered: 11/13/99
Posts: 1,080
Last seen: 18 years, 8 months
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: manna420]
#513046 - 01/07/02 09:33 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Are these the same size as the bags FP (amung many others) sell? They look a bit smaller in the pics.. either way, it looks like a good way to introduce otherwise inept and unsuccessful people into the joys of mycology :)
-------------------- If I made affront, I apologize.
If I made affirmation, I apologize.
I merely came to listen, came to say.
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: DinoMyc]
#513109 - 01/07/02 11:19 AM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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They are smaller. Scale is difficult to tell in the pictures, but you can get an idea from the picture with my hand in it. My hands are medium-large, judging by the gloves I have tried on. Medium sized gloves are just a tad too tight.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
The Spore Works
Exotic Spore Supply
My Instagram
Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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manna420
dazed andconfused

Registered: 12/16/01
Posts: 54
Loc: undesirable
Last seen: 14 years, 11 months
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#513172 - 01/07/02 12:27 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hey workman,
I just checked my bags today and the one is colonizing nicely but i cant see no visible growth in my other.this really sucks....i have seven other jars i did off that syringe and only one jar shows strong growth...i cant believe my luck.Those bags do seem smaller then some in other posts i've seen...once again thanks for the insight!..!..!
-------------------- "The white man goes into his church house and talks about Jesus;
the indian goes into his tepee and talks to Jesus."
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: manna420]
#513338 - 01/07/02 02:47 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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I wouldn't worry too much yet. Since you see some good growth in some bags/jars, the syringe must have been good. I expect the others will start growing strong in a few days. Patience.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
The Spore Works
Exotic Spore Supply
My Instagram
Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran


Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 3,621
Loc: Oregon, USA
Last seen: 21 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: mycobag test with Ecuador [Re: Workman]
#517435 - 01/11/02 01:09 PM (23 years, 1 month ago) |
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Summary with updates
Bag #1Ecuador
1st flush at day 26, 50.5 grams wet = 5.9 grams dry
2nd flush at day 34, 53.6 grams wet = pending
Bag#2 Ecuador
1st flush at day 30, 59.6 grams wet = pending
2nd flush well underway
Picture of bag number 1 just before harvest of second flush. Nothing was added to stimulate or enhance the 2nd flush. I just picked and taped the bag closed. The cake is becoming very shriveled and light, but I think it can produce one more flush.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of
The Spore Works
Exotic Spore Supply
My Instagram
Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
Edited by Workman (01/11/02 01:14 PM)
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