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diableria
Stranger
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 21
Last seen: 17 years, 7 months
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can i use potting soil for casing?
#6720567 - 03/28/07 02:46 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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hi friends, i used to grow shrooms using the casing method before, my casing medium was peat moss but ive moved to a different city now, here i have no access to any garden stores or anywhere where i can get peat moss, all i can get is potting soil from a Family Dollar Store near by, do you think that will work for me? or any suggestions!?
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: diableria]
#6720581 - 03/28/07 02:50 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Use Miracle Gro Moisture Control (MMGC) or Jiffy Mix, if you can find either of those.
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mokee
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Registered: 03/06/07
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6720703 - 03/28/07 03:18 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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I wouldn't case with anything like that. You can, and it can work. You want your caseing layer simple. You don't want nutes in the CASEING layer. Your SUBSTRATE would be fine as MGMC or some other potting soil. Caseing goes on top of your substrate shortly before fruiting. Its not required with p.cubensis. Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
Edited by mokee (03/28/07 03:22 PM)
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: mokee]
#6720746 - 03/28/07 03:29 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
mokee said: I wouldn't case with anything like that. You can, and it can work. You want your caseing layer simple. You don't want nutes in the CASEING layer. Your SUBSTRATE would be fine as MGMC or some other potting soil. Caseing goes on top of your substrate shortly before fruiting. Its not required with p.cubensis. Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
Umm... this is very wrong.
Soil has almost no nutrients at all. Same goes for peat, MGMC, and Jiffy Mix. Out of those, MGMC is the only one that has a minor amount of coir, which has a little bit of nutrients.
Poo, straight coir, and straw have a lot of nutrients. They are not suitable at all for a casing layer, but work great as substrates.
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geko
Human



Registered: 01/15/07 
Posts: 338
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6720861 - 03/28/07 03:55 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
I wouldn't case with anything like that. You can, and it can work. You want your caseing layer simple. You don't want nutes in the CASEING layer. Your SUBSTRATE would be fine as MGMC or some other potting soil. Caseing goes on top of your substrate shortly before fruiting. Its not required with p.cubensis. Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
Yes, as Sillicybin said, the above is very wrong. Besides the fact that poo and straw and straight coir are not suitable for casing, cubes benefit much from a casing layer.
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Civ
Pinning



Registered: 10/14/04
Posts: 2,537
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6721136 - 03/28/07 04:46 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Sillicybin said:
Quote:
mokee said: I wouldn't case with anything like that. You can, and it can work. You want your caseing layer simple. You don't want nutes in the CASEING layer. Your SUBSTRATE would be fine as MGMC or some other potting soil. Caseing goes on top of your substrate shortly before fruiting. Its not required with p.cubensis. Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
Umm... this is very wrong.
Soil has almost no nutrients at all. Same goes for peat, MGMC, and Jiffy Mix. Out of those, MGMC is the only one that has a minor amount of coir, which has a little bit of nutrients.
You told that person they were wrong and you corrected with the same thing they said.
Quote:
Poo, straight coir, and straw have a lot of nutrients. They are not suitable at all for a casing layer, but work great as substrates
.
Quote:
Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
I don't understand why you all telling people that this is wrong information.
Should I say your ALL wrong because I have NEVER not cased without coir? Here is 75% Coir 25% Verm caseing layers. Maybe I have just been a lucky guy...
   
Its not about being wrong- its about what works. What Mokee said is right, what geko and sill said is right too.
All this guy is looking for are options- some work better than others; under a random set of different situations.
Caseing goes on top- substrate on the bottom! If you guys practice useing the correct terms this might be less confusing.
Edited by Civ (03/28/07 05:12 PM)
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mushbaby
woodswalker




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Posts: 2,645
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Civ]
#6721222 - 03/28/07 05:05 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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ouch!
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Civ]
#6721337 - 03/28/07 05:31 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Civ said: You told that person they were wrong and you corrected with the same thing they said.
No, I didn't - either you misread or misunderstood.
Quote:
Mokee said: You don't want nutes in the CASEING layer.
And then goes on to tell him:
Quote:
Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
YOU DON'T CASE WITH POO OR STRAW. PERIOD.
With coir, you can fruit uncased all day long. It has a high enough water retention ability that all you're doing with a 75/25 coir/verm mix is adding a little verm to a bulk sub.
EDIT:
Quote:
Your SUBSTRATE would be fine as MGMC or some other potting soil.
So, you don't see anything wrong with this, Civ? lol....
Edited by Sillicybin (03/28/07 05:37 PM)
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mokee
Stranger



Registered: 03/06/07
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6721363 - 03/28/07 05:39 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Sillicybin said:
Quote:
Civ said: You told that person they were wrong and you corrected with the same thing they said.
No, I didn't - either you misread or misunderstood.
Quote:
Mokee said: You don't want nutes in the CASEING layer.
And then goes on to tell him:
Quote:
Coir, Vermiculite, Poo, straw, and some others are some other options you have.
YOU DON'T CASE WITH POO OR STRAW. PERIOD.
With coir, you can fruit uncased all day long. It has a high enough water retention ability that all you're doing with a 75/25 coir/verm mix is adding a little verm to a bulk sub.
EDIT:
Quote:
Your SUBSTRATE would be fine as MGMC or some other potting soil.
So, you don't see anything wrong with this, Civ? lol....
If we are going to yell.
YOU READ MY POST WRONG. THOSE ARE OPTIONS FOR SUBSTRATES. YOU CAN SPAWN TO MGMC STRAIGHT.
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figment
Apothecary



Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 522
Loc: Quidity
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: mokee]
#6721378 - 03/28/07 05:43 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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you guys are crazy
--------------------

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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: mokee]
#6721381 - 03/28/07 05:44 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
mokee said: YOU READ MY POST WRONG. THOSE ARE OPTIONS FOR SUBSTRATES. YOU CAN SPAWN TO MGMC STRAIGHT.
Then, perhaps I did - considering that HIS QUESTION WAS ABOUT CASING LAYERS, and not substrates.
You CAN spawn to MGMC, but it's NOT really a decent sub. MANY people have success using it as a casing layer.
I also want to see someone who spawned to soil as a substrate, personally. No, I'm not talking about the guy who squirted LC into his plant's pot... I'm talking straight soil.
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farva86
I dont want alarge farva. Iwant aleeder-a-cola


Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 267
Loc: MIddle of Nowhere, AR
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6721419 - 03/28/07 05:59 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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you can case with coir, im not sure about poo/straw but u can probly case with that too. the only problem with those is they have so many nutrients that ur casing layer is prone to overlay. thats why many people prefer to use them as bulk spawn. i'd suggest MGMC which can be found at any home depot/lowes or the like.
-------------------- Eddie Money doesn't have to put up with this shit.
The wonder has a name: shrooms.
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: farva86]
#6721434 - 03/28/07 06:02 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
farva86 said: im not sure about poo/straw but u can probly case with that too.
/sigh.
From another post, active on the first page right now:
Quote:
RogerRabbit said: You're not making sense. A 'casing' is a non-nutritious top layer that is applied to a fully colonized substrate. You don't put anything into a casing except the peat-verm it's made with and some lime and gypsum as buffers. You use casing to cover the substrate. RR
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mr_minds_eye
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Registered: 01/22/02
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: diableria]
#6721454 - 03/28/07 06:08 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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You probably have a pet store near by. If the sell reptile stuff than they probably stock coir. Jst look for a product claiming to be made out of coconut shells. Its cheap and works. You might even try mixing with the straight potting soil. See what works for you.
-------------------- Our quest for discovery fuels our creativity in all fields, not just science. If we reached the end of the line, the human spirit would shrivel and die. But I don't think we will ever stand still: we shall increase in complexity, if not in depth, and shall always be the center on an expanding horizon of possibilities.
-Stephen Hawking
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farva86
I dont want alarge farva. Iwant aleeder-a-cola


Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 267
Loc: MIddle of Nowhere, AR
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6721492 - 03/28/07 06:19 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Sillicybin said:
Quote:
farva86 said: im not sure about poo/straw but u can probly case with that too.
/sigh.
From another post, active on the first page right now:
Quote:
RogerRabbit said: You're not making sense. A 'casing' is a non-nutritious top layer that is applied to a fully colonized substrate. You don't put anything into a casing except the peat-verm it's made with and some lime and gypsum as buffers. You use casing to cover the substrate. RR
dont quote just a fraction of what i say. try reading my entire post especially the NEXT sentence where i mention they have to many nutrients. im just sayin it can be done, not that he should do so, hence y i suggested he use MGMC
-------------------- Eddie Money doesn't have to put up with this shit.
The wonder has a name: shrooms.
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: farva86]
#6721507 - 03/28/07 06:22 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
farva86 said: dont quote just a fraction of what i say. try reading my entire post especially the NEXT sentence where i mention they have to many nutrients. im just sayin it can be done, not that he should do so, hence y i suggested he use MGMC
The only thing I was trying to point out was that if you put poo or straw on top of your substrate, it's not a casing layer at all - it's just more substrate.
The rest of your post was great, though.
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Civ
Pinning



Registered: 10/14/04
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Sillicybin]
#6721737 - 03/28/07 07:24 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
poo or straw on top of your substrate, it's not a casing layer at all - it's just more substrate.
Well put. I was about to say that also- think about rolling pf-cakes in verm, thats basically applying a caseing layer. Adding dry verm to the cakes got me to roll with really dry caseing layers, untill primodia.
-------------------- "...Gal's seem to hate the thought of blending chicken shit in a blender.
So, wash it well afterwards & DON'T tell them..." -Agar
Edited by Civ (03/28/07 07:25 PM)
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figment
Apothecary



Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 522
Loc: Quidity
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Civ]
#6721903 - 03/28/07 08:06 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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man...this thread is insane. the quotes! the quotes!!!!
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johnjohnson
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: figment]
#6722101 - 03/28/07 08:48 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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yep, it works. I cut up a slightly contaminated cake, discarded the contaminated part, and put it in a Dixie cup with soil. White mycelium are now poking through
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diableria
Stranger
Registered: 02/22/06
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: johnjohnson]
#6723396 - 03/29/07 06:06 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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lOl thank u all for ur repplies, i think some misunderstood me, what I wanna know is if i can use straight potting soil for THE CASING MIX, the thing you mix with the crushed cakes =D. For the bottom and top layer I'll use vermiculite. yea i know potting soil is not the best but like i said its all i can get around here =(
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geko
Human



Registered: 01/15/07 
Posts: 338
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: diableria]
#6723412 - 03/29/07 06:13 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Casing mix is the top layer. It sits on top of everything and provides the best micro climate for pin formation. You do not mix a casing into the substrate.
It would be good if you read a little more, that way you will save our members from killing each other over threads like this one
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figment
Apothecary



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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: geko]
#6723581 - 03/29/07 08:04 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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you're terminology is wrong. casings mix, or "casing," goes ON TOP of the substrate(crushed cakes). casings usually consist of verm, peat, and crushed oyster shell (there are a lot of recipes)THATS a casing.
im assuming what you're talking about is substrate. you need to use hpoo, coco coir, or something along those lines. THEN case with your "casing mix."
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diableria
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: figment]
#6724267 - 03/29/07 11:52 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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yeaa sorry it was confusing, what i used to do was put a layer of verm on the bottom of the tray and then i would put the crushed cakes on top of that and then add a 50\50 mix of peat moss with verm on top of the cakes... but like i said i cant get anymore peat moss, just potting soil, i was wondering if i could replace the peat moss with potting soil, thats all lol
so yeaa im talking about the casing mix! i was confused cause its been about a year since i dont grow any
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diableria
Stranger
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: diableria]
#6724297 - 03/29/07 12:02 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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check out one of my growths, it isnt the best but its enough for me
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kyleda1kid
Student (here tolearn)


Registered: 03/27/07
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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: diableria]
#6724374 - 03/29/07 12:29 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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it looks dry in there, but looks goooood. mmm mmm
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Rhizoid
carbon unit


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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: diableria]
#6753720 - 04/06/07 10:25 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Yes, you can use potting soil for casing. It's an old tek. The book by Oss & Oeric (the McKenna brothers) from 1976 used rye grain cased with sterilized soil. I have cased cubensis with soil a number of times with good results when vermiculite wasn't available. I prefer plain vermiculite since it can't get contaminated.
Sterilizing is usually not necessary if you buy bagged soil from a store, at least not in my experience. But if you're unlucky there can be insect eggs in the soil... and make sure there are no chemical fungicides in it. Anti-fungal trichoderma additives don't seem to be a problem for cubensis though.
You have to be careful not to wet the surface of the soil too much, so it doesn't turn into a mud layer that blocks gas exchange.
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burmesepsylicibe
All is One



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Re: can i use potting soil for casing? [Re: Rhizoid]
#6753741 - 04/06/07 10:37 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Here are my casings. wbs spawned to cair and coffee, cased with mgmc (with new AquaCoir!)I read for months on here before ever posting, but now that i have some success I can chime in.

Here's my current spawn run.

here's popcorn and wbs side to side.
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one of these was an LC
Which do you think it was?
deformedreality said:
.. besides the dead body of that pig i hid under the perlite.. he was snooping around too much ;]
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Basidiomycete
Poodelicious

Registered: 08/16/05
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IMHO 50/50+ is the best casing layer you can use...
However, you WILL get BETTER pinsets with a good potting mix, especially those with a little activated charcoal, perlite, and seldom woodchips. The downside to this is that WILL SURELY have clumping issues which WILL cause massive casing layer chunks being removed which WILL cause you to loose that casing earlier than if you had cased with 50/50+
50/50+ also will produce bigger mushies as it usually a little more giving with water delivery.
but dont case with any of that other shit
happy trails
-------------------- Ginger bread
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