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frommoon
Stranger
Registered: 06/18/06
Posts: 45
Loc: Plutos Third
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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comments wanted on grain tray technique
#5803212 - 06/29/06 12:59 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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I am doing rye trays with casing now having graduated from cakes. I would like a few comments on what I am doing regarding the preparation of the trays since I am still refining my methods. I am using Plastic Glad Ovenware Trays, both the 8"x8" and 9"x12 sizes. I like these trays because they are black (to encourage upward growth). The trays come with clear snug fitting lids (I'd say that the lids fit snugly but not a super tight seal). Here are some points that I would appreciate comments on: 1. I add a bit of slightly moistened vermiculite to just cover the bottom of the tray before adding the colonized grain. I have heard not to do this but it seems to me to keep a wet layer from forming at the bottom. On trays that I did not use the vermic I noticed that the bottom of the trays are kind of sweaty (noticed this when throwing out old or contaminated contents). I did not like the looks of that - seemed to me to be a good place for contams to thrive. Its an extra step but do you think its worth it? 2. Do I need to PC the damp vermiculite that I am using? I have been PCing it, its a pain and I wonder if its overkill. Thoughts? 3. When I store the trays for the 3-5 day incubation I put the lids on and then cover the whole top with foil. Should I not use the lids? Can they be too air tight? 4. I spray and wipe the lids and trays with alc before adding contents. Is this good practice? 5. I do get contams on the casing from time to time (mostly cobweb mold) and when the cobweb mold shows up it seems like it shows up within a half day or so of opening the trays for fruiting (and sometimes I find it upon opening the trays). If you have read this is there anything that I am doing here that might be causing the contam problems - I'm checking other things out too but I can't nail it just yet. I PC the casing in a spawn bag for like 2 1/2 hours so I don't think its that (I use both coir/vermic and peat/vermic for casing). Comments appreciated, Thanks. f
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ALHOFF177A17
DoWn RU?

Registered: 01/23/02
Posts: 241
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Re: comments wanted on grain tray technique [Re: frommoon]
#5803289 - 06/29/06 01:24 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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1.IMHO I think it is good practice to add a layer of verm to the bottom. I think it adds extra well deserved moisture to the cakes for their efforts. Because the myc will generally not completly colonize the verm it makes for a good way to wick water into the cake between flushes. Especially using a whole grain method it is important to ensure the casings have all the water they need and no more.
2.I always at least boil the water before mixing it with verm and oyster shell.
3.I never allow time for incubation of casings. Granted I do not get the best flushes. If you feel it is necessary then do it in such a way that the casings get no light but the do get FAE. My experience with cobweb mold is it will form very well in conditions of very high humidity and stagnation.
4.You can never be too clean! I always dishwash, wipe with alc., light on fire, then wipe with distilled water, then make case.
5.I believe that tap water is the largest source of cobweb mold. For instance take a clean bleached towel and add some tap water and let it sit in a clean bucket, it will smell like mildew within a few days.
Good luck, hope this helps.
-------------------- www.DoWnClothing.COM
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frommoon
Stranger
Registered: 06/18/06
Posts: 45
Loc: Plutos Third
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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Re: comments wanted on grain tray technique [Re: ALHOFF177A17]
#5803350 - 06/29/06 01:44 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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thanks for that. I think you may have keyed in on my cobweb problem - the sealed trays could be the culprit. Seems to me that there really is no tray incubation technique that allows for much FAE. I should ditch the platic lid and just cover with foil or I may cut the incubation down to 2 days or just go right to the fruting chamber with them as you do. Cobweb does not get all of my trays but enough of them to cause pain. By the way do you really light your trays on fire or was that just a joke. thanks, f
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