Oyster shells are to provide a certain structural component to casing soils and, to a lesser extent, additional pH buffering. You can find this at some pet stores for pet birds. Birds instinctively eat or grind it to aid in food digestion in their gizard and to keep their beaks trimmed, respectively.

ShroomGod

I have about 2.5 liters of birdseed (primarily millet with some sunflower seeds and peanuts) colonizing right now. I plan to case with the formula you have provided. My only remaining question is: How critical is temperature between casing and fruiting? I plan to cold shock the tray but is it necessary to hold the tray at 86 before that, or are room temperatures OK?

Per Hoyt

8 parts peat moss
8 parts vermiculite
1 part lime flour
3.5 part water (approx)

Mix up dry ingredients then add water and mix. It should feel moist but not muddy. If it's too wet, add more vermiculite. If it's too dry, more water. Put in pot or pan and cover with foil or lid. Cook at 160?F for 2 hours. Allow to cool COMPLETELY. Sprinkle over about 2 inches depth of crumbled or sliced birdseed cakes (DO NOT EVER PACK DOWN).

Casing must be incubated in a warm environment with a plastic cover. Allow an 1/8th inch holes to cover the plastic between 3 to 4 inches apart. The low 80s is ideal incubation temperature.

When you see mycelium uniformly poking through in the valleys, move to the fruiting chamber. If the casing is not colonizing evenly, mix it around with a fork (deep scratch), wait a couple days for it to recover, and begin fruiting.

ShroomGod

[This message has been edited by ShroomGod (edited December 03, 1999).]

just a comment not a firm belief.

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He who controls the spice, controls the universe....