I was the winner of Myco-Tek's HydraPod II contest - Shroomery Sponsors Forum

I pm'd Mycotek the shipping address on Sunday, and received the new desktop version of the Hydrapod on Wednesday. Incredibly fast, and what a fabulous contest to support the Shroomery! Faster shipping than FP, for sure- but good things come to those who wait (and those who don't!!)

I just picked the pod up, and am so amazed at how the new design is just... brilliant. I look at it and know that almost every aspect and theory of mushroom cultivation has been accounted for (that could be in a setup like this). It's amazing to me how simple the design looks at first, but when you start thinking about how well the theories of cultivation are represented in the pod... I pride myself on knowing the mushroom life cycle pretty well- and just by looking at the pod I can "see" them represented! I am so excited just looking at this; I keep telling hongus that I just think the new design is brilliant (and can't shut up about it).

Btw, I used to wholly ascribe to the "buy a 12$ rubbermaid, it's the same" club. I used to hand fan several times a day (and got good results b/c of it and b/c of our devotion to following tmc and the advice/experiments of those who have come before). We later designed an automated fanning/humidification modification to the rubbermaids, and were a little less "tied" to the terrariums. (We could leave for a day, but not a week). But, for those who can afford it- this is *nothing* like buying a tupperware, perlite, and even a bubbler for a glass of peroxide. It's really not, and I "get it" now. I look at this and understand entrainment, and why it can't work the same in the rubbermaids. And it's just beautiful... and automated! You really won't be sticking this in the garage or the basement (unless you have to). We think it's attractive enuf to be a centerpiece of our dining room table, as long as we can be sure the cat doesn't get into it. Never thought I could get so worked up over a possession, but this is one of the most exciting things I've received in a looong time.

And did I mention it's got a *huge* inside capacity? Says 12 cakes, and is tall enough to fit the pint sized ones, so bigger mycelial mass=bigger harvest (for those interested in flush weights). And it *is* perfect for cakes; I'd never bother trying to case in this, or make a large cake- I love how simple it is. And that it's not just "growing mushrooms for dummies," either. (Call me a dummy, I dare you...)

I don't want to knock the rubbermaid method, I really don't. But, I want everyone to know that it's really not true (at least from a theorhetical standpoint) that the rubbermaid bins are the same as the pod. Once I get my gourmet patches (wanted to start as soon as possible, no time for colonization), I'll know for sure (with the caveat it's my 1st time with gourmet patches).

Thank you Mycotek- 1st for the contest, but more importantly-thank you for bringing something novel to the community of growers. This is brilliant, new, novel (non-obvious, and useful... sound familiar?

) This isn't some knock-off bullshit, or some get rich quick scheme. This is a beautiful, solid, brilliant piece of equipment that I am proud to own and use. *This* is what the mushroom growing community needs.

Thanks again McMan