Pnyx

CASING IS THE WAY TO GO;

I'm currently using the PF cake style settup in a MMGG style styrofoam cooler that's getting humidity from an ultrasonic humidifier attatched to a timer. I am planning on trying casing, and have found that I can fit three 4" X 8" containers in the terrarium. My questions are:

1. Should I still use the humidifier or should I switch to hand spraying? Everything I've read suggests that the humidifier would be too powerful for this settup. Is this true?

2. Should I poke holes in the bottom of the trays to let excess water drain out or does this defeat the entire purpose?

Sterilizing your peat moss actually increases chances of contamination! The Bible (King Stamets Version) says so:

1. Peat based casings rarely require sterilization because its "acidic condition precludes many contaminants from colonizing it as a substrate." This is the primary reason we add buffering agents like lime, chalk or oyster shell to the casing layer; the effect of these agents is to basify the acidic peat to mushroom-friendly levels.

2. There are high levels of beneficial bacteria which inhabit the casing layer,
resulting in "increased primordia formation, earlier cropping and higher yields." He concludes by saying that "these same bacteria give the casing a natural resistance to competitors. IN THIS RESPECT, A STERILIZED CASING LACKS BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS AND HAS LITTLE RESISTANCE TO CONTAMINANTS." (My emphasis.)

if I find out more about the success of this i'll keep you informed