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Mushrooms, Mycology and Psychedelics > Advanced Mycology
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Possible vermiculite substitute
    #626139 -

I have had an idea about using hardwood sawdust instead of vermiculite in PF style cakes. The sawdust would be soaked in honey water (or some other high sugar item) for one to two days. After this it would be strained and mixed with BRF. I do not think much extra water would need to be added. Cover the substrate with sand of similar coarseness as the vermiculite normally used. This would be pressure cooked for 1.5 to 2 hours and innoculated as normal with a woodloving species. I have not tried this yet and was wanting some input.



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Pain is an illusion of the senses,
Dispare an illusion of the mind.

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Re: Possible vermiculite substitute [Re: Egyn]
    #626147 -

seems like it would make mush...vermiculite is airy even when wet unlike sawdust...dunno, just my guess...

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Re: Possible vermiculite substitute [Re: Egyn]
    #626169 -

hmmmmmmmmmmm, try it, but one suggestion, dont soak it in honey water, or anything sugary, this will either make it sticky, or caramelize in steralizing. if i tried it, i would soak it in plain distilled water.......


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ISO: Orissa, Malabar, z strain

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Re: Possible vermiculite substitute [Re: Egyn]
    #626215 -

I'm currently trying coarse sand instead of vermiculite.

So far, so good, although mycelium growth is slow.

I will post pictures soon, comparing sand with mycelium



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"I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it NOW!" - Queen

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Re: Possible vermiculite substitute [Re: ChromeCrow]
    #626391 -

The idea for soaking the sawdust came from the rapid cultivation system that Stamets talks about for reishi (my next project) in GGMM on page 358. In his formula, 50/50 sawdust/chips are soaked in molasses water for three to four days then loaded and sterized at 15 psi for two hours. Based on this, I think there would be minimal carmelization of the sugars present. Loosely filled into the jars should allow for air flow through the substrate. The other possiblity would be to use rye berries in the mix instead of BRF.


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Pain is an illusion of the senses,
Dispare an illusion of the mind.

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Re: Possible vermiculite substitute [Re: goldtop]
    #627181 -

goldtop, so are you just using the sand as filler so as to use less substrate? do you dunk? i'll look foreward to the compason, good luck.


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Attn PWN hunters: If you should come across a bluing Psilocybe matching P. pellicolusa please smell it.
If you detect a scent reminiscent of Anethole (anise) please preserve a specimen or two for study and please PM me.

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Re: Possible vermiculite substitute [Re: Egyn]
    #628717 -

I have sucessufuly tested granulated cork as a substitute for verm. The cork is soaked in boiling water for 20 minutes, then it's let to rest 8-12 hours and strained, mixed with BRF and sterilized. BTW, you can do your own granulated cork with normal cork blocks.

Peace,
MAIA


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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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Mushrooms, Mycology and Psychedelics > Advanced Mycology
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