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agar
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WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. 2
#6505282 - 01/28/07 03:17 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Often, new folks jar up wbs/grains WAY TO WET. Then, PC, with end result being jar content TO WET. Resulting in poor or stalled colonization. And, often bacterial CONTAMINATION.
I soak wbs/grain & don't simmer. I often soak 24/36 hours (sometimes longer). But, soak in cool temps, around 55F, in winter. Which retards germination & fermentation.
How long you soak is up to you. A rule of thumb is this. Once wbs/grain has expanded 25% (in size). It is fully hydrated.
Once fully hydrated, I rinse with hot water. Then drain it. Sometimes I drain it an hour. If it still looks/feels to moist. To moist = glistens with moisture.
I either dump it in a tray. And, warm the tray in the oven. Or, use a hair dryer on it, for a few minutes.
How you can TEST it, to be sure it is not TO WET.;) Is with a large spoon, or your hand.;) It's SIMPLE.
If you use a large stainless steel spoon, & scoop it full. Then dump it out, holding the spoon sideways. If a LOT of wbs/grain... STICKS to the spoon. It is STILL TO WET. Example:
3rd picture, with wbs/grain sticking to spoon. Means..... wbs/grain is TO MOIST to jar up. So, drain/dry it MORE.
If, only a minuscule amount, clings to the spoon. (as above) It's good to jar up & PC.
You can do the same test, with your hand. Pick up a handful. Turn hand sideways & open it.
If a LOT clings/sticks to your hand. IT'S STILL TO MOIST.
If only a miniscule amount sticks/clings to your hand.
IT'S JUST RIGHT. DRY enough to jar up & PC.
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atomic1
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6505302 - 01/28/07 03:25 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Nice and simple, I'll remember that.
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vintage_gonzo
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: atomic1]
#6505454 - 01/28/07 04:30 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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why not just add a about a tablespoon of vermiculite? Has always worked for me and i never let my wbs drain. just rinse with water after the soak and load up and add the verm untill there is not standing water.
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Snaggletooth
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6505489 - 01/28/07 04:41 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yap a good write up, like usual.
But a common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-------------------- Atheist Chat
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Snaggletooth]
#6505507 - 01/28/07 04:49 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
But a common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
That is CERTAINLY the truth.
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KaptKid
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6505522 - 01/28/07 04:53 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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agar
Personaly I like to use a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of verm per Qt jar. This has helped me stop wet spot. Also the water is still there if the myc needs it.
to each his on.
-------------------- Child of the 60's, Tripping ever since.
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: vintage_gonzo]
#6505535 - 01/28/07 04:57 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
vintage_gonzo said: why not just add a about a tablespoon of vermiculite? Has always worked for me and i never let my wbs drain. just rinse with water after the soak and load up and add the verm untill there is not standing water.
LOL, ya right. The flaw in your method/reasoning is; Excess moisture IS STILL INSIDE THE JAR. Which can lead to bacterial contamination. The vermiculite doesn't teleport it to Mars. Or, am I missing something.
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YuckMan
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6505554 - 01/28/07 05:04 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I just did my first WBS jar a couple days ago and this is how i did it, guess i'm on the right track.
"any attempt to make something foolproof only encourages god to make a better fool"
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KaptKid
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6505558 - 01/28/07 05:05 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Maybe the standing water is the problem? Gypsum also helps fights contam's. I do this with just a knif tip of it in the qt jar.
-------------------- Child of the 60's, Tripping ever since.
Edited by KaptKid (01/28/07 05:09 PM)
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: KaptKid]
#6505588 - 01/28/07 05:16 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I have never needed to use gypsum, in a wbs/grain spawn jar. Gypsum would aid, in wbs/grain not clumping solid. But, mine don't without it. So long as I shake them, while still HOT, out of the PC.
Whatever works, DOES. Each has to find what works for him/her. I'm just trying to help out the new folks. With a simple test, that works for me.
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MyPhilosophy
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: KaptKid]
#6505591 - 01/28/07 05:19 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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YES, I'm glad this post is out! This may be an off topic question and you have my apologies if it is. I've read many post about spawning with WBS and I know you want to try to avoid having sunflower seeds in your WBS. So I went to the mart store and began to look at the WBS and almost every single thing of bird seed had sunflower. What I'm trying to ask is what type of bird seed do you use Agar? If there are sunflower seeds within the WBS do you put them through the strainer to retain the sunflower seeds? Thanks for your help!
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MyPhilosophy
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: MyPhilosophy]
#6505642 - 01/28/07 05:41 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Well I went back to the drawing board and saw that Pennington's bird seed for finches is ideal although it's a bit expensive.
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RogerRabbit
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: MyPhilosophy]
#6505669 - 01/28/07 05:48 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Another test for grain moisture content before loading jars is the toilet paper test. Put a spoon of grains on a sheet of toilet paper for fifteen seconds. If it leaves a wet spot, it's too wet. If it rolls off the toilet paper easily and leaves no wet spot where it sat, load the jars. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: MyPhilosophy]
#6505732 - 01/28/07 06:07 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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First off. So long as any wbs sun flower seed content is under 5%. It's good to go. If over 5%, just skim out the floaters. A few in the mix, harms nothing.
Sunflower seeds contain LOTS of OIL. That OIL, in excess, is what can cause problems. so long as it is not in EXCESS. Reality is, that oil is beneficial.
I have used all sorts of WBS.
But, BIRDBASIC at PETSMART, 40 lbs for $8. (which contains a small percentage of S/F seeds) I just skim out most of the floaters. But, not anal about it. I have used TONS of BIRDBASIC.
In my humble opinion: If you want to spend the money. The ultimate seed grain is RYE GRAIN, as spawn. But, for some odd reason, the feed stores around my new place. Only stock it, in the spring.
Next to that, a mix of white millet & sorghum, works as well. From feed stores, I have bought 50 lb bags of both. Then, made a 50/50 mix.
I have also used 100% millet.
It just depends on what you can get locally. At a decent price.
It all works. Troubles is, it's trail & error. To find, which works best - for you.
I prefer a mix of seed/grain. Again, my opinion; A mix is more forgiving, as to hydrated moisture content. Some seed/grain soak up more, some less. Which helps balance the moisture content out.
With 100% same seed/grain. You either get the moisture content right, or wrong. 100% same seed/grain, is not forgiving. All the same, once you get it down pat. It works great.
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: RogerRabbit]
#6505755 - 01/28/07 06:13 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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LOL...
So far we have trial by:
SPOON, HAND & TOILET PAPER
What NEXT?
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Blutjager
Inhuman
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6505778 - 01/28/07 06:17 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I have been toying with the idea of skipping the simmer altogether,Now I'm going to just soak as usual.I am also out of gypsum and everywhere I looked for it is a wasteland due to it being freezing here the garden sections are either closed down or have nothing stocked
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Blutjager]
#6505798 - 01/28/07 06:22 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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A point RR makes often, is very VALID. If you rinse the dust/chaff off the wbs, FIRST. Then soak, then rinse again after the soak, it seldom clumps.
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vintage_gonzo
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6506322 - 01/28/07 09:02 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
agar said:
Quote:
vintage_gonzo said: why not just add a about a tablespoon of vermiculite? Has always worked for me and i never let my wbs drain. just rinse with water after the soak and load up and add the verm untill there is not standing water.
LOL, ya right. The flaw in your method/reasoning is; Excess moisture IS STILL INSIDE THE JAR. Which can lead to bacterial contamination. The vermiculite doesn't teleport it to Mars. Or, am I missing something.
Depends on your definition of excess moisture. there certainly is MORE moisture but there is no STANDING water in the jar. this in my experience allows plenty of moisture to be in the jar without any problems. i have NEVER had a contam in 7 dozen batches. im still a newb but my method has worked well for me. i might not be explaining it well but pm if you have any questions
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Oatman2000
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: vintage_gonzo]
#6507554 - 01/29/07 07:53 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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nice thread! Awesome advice from the old hands.
i did the spoon trick in a slightly different manor, judging on how big the clump was that fell off the spool
i think yours is much easier!
-------------------- Spawning to COIR My Chocolate Recipe WBS QUART SPAWN JAR PREPERATION ---------------------------- 4-PO-DMT; 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethltryptamine
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ohmatic
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6507852 - 01/29/07 09:30 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
agar said: LOL...
So far we have trial by:
SPOON, HAND & TOILET PAPER
What NEXT?
what about simply finding out how much grams of water per grams of seed, premix and be fine?
ive been using rye and a 1:1 ratio of grain and water eversince, 150g water to 150g rye and it comes out perfect EVERY time.
for birdseed, the kind i use (mostly millet) 100g to 150g does it.
ill never play around with this soaking/simmering stuff and havent for years, except to try it, see that is much to much work and never done it since.
-------------------- MONOTUB tek HEATBOMB tek RIP #cultivation! ....can't associate? well FUCK U !
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Dr_Mcgillicuddy
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: ohmatic] 1
#6507924 - 01/29/07 09:48 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I test the WBS moisture by putting it inside one of my Sub woofers. Turn it up and it it flys out all over the place it is good to collect up and use
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: ohmatic]
#6507983 - 01/29/07 10:08 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yup, lots of good ways to skin cats, or float boats.
Your method involves a lot of weighing & measuring. But, well worth it, when working perfect, every time.
I prefer to just soak, rinse, load & PC.
6 quart each, spawn bags, w/bag neck filters. One 3 hour AA 941 PC run of 6 bags = 32 quarts spawn It cannot get easier than that, in 1 PC run volume. Again, to each his own, so long as it works. Performance is what matters.
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Dr_Mcgillicuddy]
#6507986 - 01/29/07 10:10 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Dr_Mcgillicuddy said: I test the WBS moisture by putting it inside one of my Sub woofers. Turn it up and it it flys out all over the place it is good to collect up and use
LOL, I bet your vacuum cleaner must work well.
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Oatman2000
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#6508004 - 01/29/07 10:25 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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It better... it's a Dyson!
-------------------- Spawning to COIR My Chocolate Recipe WBS QUART SPAWN JAR PREPERATION ---------------------------- 4-PO-DMT; 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethltryptamine
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MycoCakeEater
Old Hand
Registered: 06/16/03
Posts: 1,572
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Oatman2000]
#6508362 - 01/29/07 12:37 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Could you do a 1:1 mix of Rye/WBS under the same method?
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agar
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: MycoCakeEater]
#6508588 - 01/29/07 02:10 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
MycoCakeEater said: Could you do a 1:1 mix of Rye/WBS under the same method?
Sure enough......
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Quake3
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Blutjager]
#6508707 - 01/29/07 03:12 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Blutjager said: I have been toying with the idea of skipping the simmer altogether,Now I'm going to just soak as usual.I am also out of gypsum and everywhere I looked for it is a wasteland due to it being freezing here the garden sections are either closed down or have nothing stocked
Go to Home Depot or Lowes and look for Sheetrock or Gypsum panel. Break off a piece and the white powder sandwiched between the cardboard is gypsum (and fiberglass).
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reignman
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Quake3]
#6508726 - 01/29/07 03:19 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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ill remember this, ive been getting a lot of stalled jars in spot where water is settled, assuming it didnt contam
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eatyualive
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: reignman]
#7480004 - 10/03/07 08:08 AM (16 years, 5 months ago) |
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bump because this is a great thread!
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milkman
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: eatyualive]
#7546879 - 10/22/07 01:16 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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agreed after reading this i relize why some jars stall and colonize slowly
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mebesideme
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: milkman]
#7547359 - 10/22/07 03:22 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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ok, you just helped me a shit ton!!!
-------------------- Doot de dooh.... yep yep yep. A signature and stuff...
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VisionsToReality
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: mebesideme]
#7547868 - 10/22/07 05:32 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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What's interesting is the wettest on the bottom are colonizing FIRST....don't understand why. The seed appeared wet after jarring & PCing, but DEFINITELY dried out a good amount, and now only the bottoms have that "grain-sticking-to-the-glass-with-a-film-of-water" look and they were the ones to colonize first. Any speculation? The grain ALL started out with somewhat of the look I talked about, but mostly dried. Cept for the bottom
-------------------- Life is one big road with lots of signs, So when you're ridin' through the ruts, Don't you complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy Don't bury your thoughts, Put your vision to reality, yeah!
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deathblade
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#11056953 - 09/14/09 10:28 AM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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I wish that I had found this thread years ago. Thanx Agar I think this thread just solved my slow colonization problems.
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Joe_C
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: agar]
#22449392 - 10/29/15 02:15 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
agar said:
Quote:
vintage_gonzo said: why not just add a about a tablespoon of vermiculite? Has always worked for me and i never let my wbs drain. just rinse with water after the soak and load up and add the verm untill there is not standing water.
LOL, ya right. The flaw in your method/reasoning is; Excess moisture IS STILL INSIDE THE JAR. Which can lead to bacterial contamination. The vermiculite doesn't teleport it to Mars. Or, am I missing something.
Hmm... Let's see if I am reading this correctly (Yup... I'm a noobie). In your method you are MIXING the verm with the WBS correct? I believe I also read a thread that discussed using verm in the botoom of the jar without 'mixing'.
My first thoughts are that a layer of verm in the bottom of the jar may allow the extra moisture to collect at the bottom only. Does this make any sense?
-------------------- "Man who stand on toilet high on pot." - Ancient Chinese Proverb "If I had but one life to give for my country it would be that of a lawyer."
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natedawgnow
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: Joe_C]
#22449473 - 10/29/15 02:37 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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This thread is almost a decade old.
And no, don't put verm into your grain jars, as agar posted in the comment above you, it does not actually get rid of the moisture in the jar, it just holds it in a different spot. But also, there is just no need for that extra step so why do it? It certainly doesn't help in any way.
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Joe_C
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Re: WBS/GRAIN, a simple test, BEFORE you load jars & PC. [Re: natedawgnow]
#22449507 - 10/29/15 02:45 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thanks for the quick response. That's what I thought, I just wanted to make certain.
-------------------- "Man who stand on toilet high on pot." - Ancient Chinese Proverb "If I had but one life to give for my country it would be that of a lawyer."
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