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zero cool
I'm a bag kindaguy



Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 250
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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first time casing...
#7451683 - 09/25/07 12:35 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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ok, my cakes are almost done, so i am thinking about using a casing method this time. i have never cased b4 but i hear great things about it so here it goes...so basically im going to put down a layer of verm in the bottom of the pan(the verm is to be moist right?), then crumble my cakes over the verm layer to a depth of no greater than 4 inches, then put the casing layer on top of that. i was gonna use the 50/50 casing method but could not find oyster shell or lime, and i am substituting peat moss for green moss(nebody heard of this? good idea or not?) green moss is the only thing i could find. after casing layer is down i'll put tin foil over it with holes. can i just put the trays into the FC at this point, or should i let them incubate for a few days? in my FC i usually have a humidifier set up but i have heard that not a lot of humidity is needed for casings, is this true? will just misting and my perlite tray be enough humidity for my FC? thanks guys, any help is much appreciated!
-------------------- git them mushrooms Mario! git em!
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dysphoria
lost soul


Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 1,651
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Re: first time casing... [Re: zero cool]
#7451780 - 09/25/07 01:04 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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first off, i wouldnt utilize a bottom casing layer, its unnecessary at best, a contamination vector at worst.
your depth of no more than 4 inches and understanding of how to case is correct. but no, green moss cannot be used in lieu of peat moss. if you simply cannot find peat moss (and trust me, you should be able to, at any major supermarket that has a garden section or local shop) then use straight vermiculite on top. optimally though, use vermiculite and peat, and dont worry about oyster shell flour or calcium carbonate or hydrated lime.
after that, you should cover the top with foil, but dont worry about poking holes in the foil. and then place them on a shelf for 3-5 days, though i wouldnt worry about 'incubating' them, only covering and forgetting for 3-5 days. then place in fruiting chamber of choice.
as for humidity, you should aim for 90 or better for casings. and depending on your FC, a humidifier will be overkill and drench your casing. so yes, perlite, misting, and lots of fanning will be sufficient. so will a humidifier in a green house, or a air pump/bubble rod PMP, or even on a shelf in your closet with a piece of wax paper on top to maintain humidity until flush.
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zero cool
I'm a bag kindaguy



Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 250
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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Re: first time casing... [Re: dysphoria]
#7451804 - 09/25/07 01:10 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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ok, i'll return the green moss and be on the lookout for some peat moss. oh yeah...i should wait for my substrate to be fully 100% colonized b4 crumbling into my tray, right? thanks.
-------------------- git them mushrooms Mario! git em!
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dysphoria
lost soul


Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 1,651
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Re: first time casing... [Re: zero cool]
#7451813 - 09/25/07 01:10 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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oh absolutely, without waiting until 100% colonization is asking to fail.
good luck.
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just me
Friend



Registered: 07/01/07
Posts: 9,745
Loc: IL/MO/FL/TX/HI/OR
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
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Re: first time casing... [Re: dysphoria]
#7451815 - 09/25/07 01:11 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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keep us all posted zero, im almost ready to do the same as you!
get up some pics!
--------------------
  -------------------------------------------------- -pEaCeLoVeGoDbLeSs- "The Downfall of Mankind; is Believing He Has Limitations."
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zero cool
I'm a bag kindaguy



Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 250
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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Re: first time casing... [Re: just me]
#7451839 - 09/25/07 01:17 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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hmmmm...i just called home depot and they have miracle grow peat moss, and they have regular scott's peat moss...decisions...decisions...which one should i get?
pic's are coming soon...
-------------------- git them mushrooms Mario! git em!
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dysphoria
lost soul


Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 1,651
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Re: first time casing... [Re: zero cool]
#7451857 - 09/25/07 01:22 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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regular scotts the less things added, the better (usually), in this hobby.
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allreadyused
The Liquor



Registered: 09/10/07
Posts: 480
Loc: Trailer Park, Nova Scotia
Last seen: 8 years, 23 days
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Re: first time casing... [Re: dysphoria]
#7451902 - 09/25/07 01:35 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Don't get miracle grow for casing or anything else with fertilizer in it for that matter. I've had the best luck buying premixed 50/50 potting soil that has lime already added to balance the pH.
-------------------- Everything I say is for entertainment. Fuck the ASPCA
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zero cool
I'm a bag kindaguy



Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 250
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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ok, i'll go with the regular moss. i thought that your casing shouldnt contain any nutrients for the shrooms, doesn't the potting soil add nutrients to the casing? i have no idea, i was just wondering. also, when i make the casing, is there any way that i can store it so i can have some readily available to patch where needed?
-------------------- git them mushrooms Mario! git em!
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just me
Friend



Registered: 07/01/07
Posts: 9,745
Loc: IL/MO/FL/TX/HI/OR
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
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Re: first time casing... [Re: zero cool]
#7451942 - 09/25/07 01:47 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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im far from being able to direct an inquiry in mycology. but im using, as ive been told by many ppl, that miracle grow moisture control makes an excellent casing layer. even w/out pasturizing or sterelizing some ppl have phenomenal results.
could possibly be a quick easy way for another newbie to get started in casing. many ppl also say thats what they use and will never use anything else.
hope this helps
peacelove
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  -------------------------------------------------- -pEaCeLoVeGoDbLeSs- "The Downfall of Mankind; is Believing He Has Limitations."
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zero cool
I'm a bag kindaguy



Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 250
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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Re: first time casing... [Re: just me]
#7451960 - 09/25/07 01:52 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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hmmmmm...very interesting...when i go out for peat moss maybe ill take a look at the MGMC...maybe i'll come home with it...sounds easier than mixing all this stuff together. do you just wet it like you would any other casing? just wet it and then squeeze it back out?
-------------------- git them mushrooms Mario! git em!
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allreadyused
The Liquor



Registered: 09/10/07
Posts: 480
Loc: Trailer Park, Nova Scotia
Last seen: 8 years, 23 days
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Re: first time casing... [Re: zero cool]
#7451964 - 09/25/07 01:55 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
zero cool said: i thought that your casing shouldnt contain any nutrients for the shrooms, doesn't the potting soil add nutrients to the casing? i have no idea, i was just wondering. also, when i make the casing, is there any way that i can store it so i can have some readily available to patch where needed?
Correct. Peat moss and vermiculite by itself contains no nutrients. Miracle grow potting soil is great for growing plants because they add fertilizer to it, but not for casing. Whatever you buy will say right on the bag if it has added nutrients. If you want to have some pre-sterilized casing ready to go for patching, PC some mix in a jar with a new ball lid so it seals when you cook it. That way you can store it and no contams will get in. Just make sure it's a new lid with a fresh seal, reusing a lid wont seal properly.
-------------------- Everything I say is for entertainment. Fuck the ASPCA
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juris1
Esquire



Registered: 08/08/07
Posts: 288
Loc: The South
Last seen: 10 years, 23 days
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Quote:
allreadyused said:
Quote:
zero cool said: i thought that your casing shouldnt contain any nutrients for the shrooms, doesn't the potting soil add nutrients to the casing? i have no idea, i was just wondering. also, when i make the casing, is there any way that i can store it so i can have some readily available to patch where needed?
Correct. Peat moss and vermiculite by itself contains no nutrients. Miracle grow potting soil is great for growing plants because they add fertilizer to it, but not for casing. Whatever you buy will say right on the bag if it has added nutrients. If you want to have some pre-sterilized casing ready to go for patching, PC some mix in a jar with a new ball lid so it seals when you cook it. That way you can store it and no contams will get in. Just make sure it's a new lid with a fresh seal, reusing a lid wont seal properly.
I have to disagree with you there Allreadyused...MGMC can be used just fne for casings, and with amazing results. I'm using it right now and am having great success with it. I have five casings in the FC right now and my casing material was MGMC, some verm(not 50/50), hydrated lime, and gypsum. My ph was right on the dot where it needed to be when I tested it. There are some long time growers here that swear by it. Look at some of the yields Blutjager has had with using the MGMC. There are a few others, can't think of their names right yet, but I would gladly take their results any day of the week! Yes, I know you can get bigger yields and all that stuff by going bulk, using hpoo, or even coir...but just for a simple casing, MGMC is great and very newbie friendly! I understand you may not personally like it, but let's put all the options out there for the new guys and let them make an educated choice/decision as to which route they want to go.
-------------------- "In Vino Veritas" Mycology (from the Greek μύκης, meaning "fungus") is the study of fungi, their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy, and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals (e.g., penicillin), food (e.g., beer, wine, cheese, edible mushrooms) and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or infection.
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allreadyused
The Liquor



Registered: 09/10/07
Posts: 480
Loc: Trailer Park, Nova Scotia
Last seen: 8 years, 23 days
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Re: first time casing... [Re: juris1]
#7452507 - 09/25/07 04:35 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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No shit? I never knew that. It's been years since I've read anything new about casing. Years ago when I started casing everybody said don't use it. I guess things have changed. I'm actually glad to hear that. I've had trouble in the past finding suitable casing during the winter (until now). Usually all I can find during the off season around here is the miracle grow mix with the fertalizer pelets in it. Does it matter if the mix has pearlite in it? Some of the mixes have pearlite in them.
-------------------- Everything I say is for entertainment. Fuck the ASPCA
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zero cool
I'm a bag kindaguy



Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 250
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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so does all MGMC have fertilizer in it, or do i have to get a certain kind?
-------------------- git them mushrooms Mario! git em!
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