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gravitymonk
Wanderer


Registered: 11/12/07
Posts: 3
Last seen: 14 years, 6 months
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My cat's first cultivation attempt
#7628023 - 11/12/07 09:25 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Hi there! I've been lurking around these forums for at least a year now, and I finally decided to drop in and say hello.
My cat tried shrooms for the first time at the beginning of this summer, and was in love after one trip (3.75g dried, grown by a friend of my brother). She expected a very visual experience, but was absolutely floored by the mental aspects of the trip. My cat spent most of it listening to music in the dark behind closed eyes, completely overwhelmed. What an experience, she says! I could go on for pages about the insights this and subsequent trips showed her that left lasting (good) marks on her life, and about the beautifully agonizing sense of awe and wonder, but this isn't the right forum for that, is it?
I'm posting here because my cat has decided she wants to attempt to grow her own crop this December. Having no idea whatsoever about the best spores to purchase, she told me she decided to go with Puerto Rican cubensis because my girlfriend is from PR, and my cat likes my girlfriend. It just seemed like as good a choice as any. My cat also read that they don't contaminate as easily as some others and colonize very rapidly.
Unfortunately, I've done a little more research now and discovered that perhaps my cat made an ill-fated choice for a first attempt due to overlay and difficulty fruiting. Please keep in mind while reading the rest of my post that she's going to be growing PRs. 
Spawning on PF cakes seems easy enough, after reading through the procedures I can find on the web, so after I explained what I found to my cat, she decided to do that. She tells me she's thinking 12 1/2 pint jars, sterilized in a pot of boiling water (no pressure cooker) for an hour or so, and inoculated in two places with a syringe from a reputable source.
Once those are fully colonized, my cat says she'll wait a few days (3? 4? a week?) and then birth them. She wants to try a monotub, because the terrarium setups I told her about seem a bit picky. If I understand correctly, she should crumble the cakes and mix them with some kind of bulk substrate (suggestions?), put the substrate on a layer of perlite inside an Al baking pan, and then case that once it's colonized.
My cat decided to case with Miracle Grow Moisture Control, as that looks like it gives a good compromise between labor and fruits. From my reading here, it should be mixed with some amount of lime as a pH buffer.
The baking pan should then be placed inside a cooler with an inch or so of wet perlite lining the bottom and a few holes in the sides stuffed with polyfill. That's all there is to the monotub thing, right? My cat recently figured out how to use a spray bottle, so she can mist the sides of the tub before closing it to get the humidity up. I intend to buy her a clear tub to use for her adventures.
Does that sound like the correct procedure, or is my cat making some big, stupid, n00b-style mistakes? Any comments will be *greatly* appreciated, because she's eager to get started, as catnip just doesn't cut it for her anymore. 
(I'm sorry for the length of this post!)
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xile


Registered: 10/04/07
Posts: 63
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: gravitymonk]
#7628088 - 11/12/07 09:39 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Oh god, we know you are growing mushrooms. We get it.
You'll need a lot more than a week to fully colonize cakes. I really would recommend swinging a PC if it is at all possible. Read through a LOT of teks, pick which one sounds best to you and is understandable. Go with that word for word, not skipping a step because it'd be easier to.
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meatcakeman
the search for bodhisattva



Registered: 07/03/07
Posts: 8,380
Loc: el sol
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: xile]
#7628127 - 11/12/07 09:48 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
xile said: Oh god, we know you are growing mushrooms. We get it.
some people like to remain anonymous when it comes to their recreational activities...
-------------------- 大开眼界
 
Hasta siempre, comandante.
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gravitymonk
Wanderer



Registered: 11/12/07
Posts: 3
Last seen: 14 years, 6 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: xile]
#7628154 - 11/12/07 09:54 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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My cat finds your lack of faith disturbing! :p
I don't know, I've always enjoyed reading people's "my cat does drugs and wants some advice" posts. Sorry.
Yes, I certainly would expect more than a week to get colonized cakes, from what I've read here. I've read several teks, but I've read many posts on the forums as well, and everybody grows them a little differently. The PF Tek is what I've seen recommended to new growers, but I've read quite a few posts about successful first grows using other methods. I'm really interested in suggestions as to how I can mold the ideas I posted into a successful (hell, or even almost successful) harvest.
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ozzyozzyozzy
Australian



Registered: 10/23/06
Posts: 545
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: meatcakeman]
#7628171 - 11/12/07 10:00 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
meatcakeman said:
Quote:
xile said: Oh god, we know you are growing mushrooms. We get it.
some people like to remain anonymous when it comes to their recreational activities...
Some people like to pretend they're remaining anonymous or secure. Most of this guy's post was tongue-in-cheek, but the myth that saying "a friend's" or "Hypothetically" or "fictional works" will even partway protect you from a legal investigation is insane. The only thing you can place trust in is that the shroomery won't disclose your details to the authorities if requested, and that you haven't been stupid enough to provide any personal details [name, location, photos of yourself/your friends, dealing habits, identifiable traits] or tell your friends about it. Saying "a friend of a friend" provides a weak illusion of security.
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Seventy
equanimitor



Registered: 05/24/07
Posts: 912
Loc: Canada (PNW)
Last seen: 6 months, 28 days
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: ozzyozzyozzy]
#7628310 - 11/12/07 10:44 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I love it when people use SWIM or my cat etc, etc.
your cat's strain, by the way, will work just as good as any other strain
good luck!
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BlargIAmDead
Shroom Samurai




Registered: 11/04/07
Posts: 550
Last seen: 14 years, 11 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: ozzyozzyozzy]
#7628323 - 11/12/07 10:47 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Trust me as a first time grower, it's a nerve wracking ordeal till you figure out "Inoculate and then pick up a different hobby for a week" the more you look at the jars the more you go "Come on GROW!!" and it won't go anywhere and you'll get upset and the risk of contam rises. So 3-4 days from inoc to birthing? When you find that strain there are people here who will skin you alive to get those spores . If you want results in 3-4 days look into Liquid Cultures. Look into the vendors sponsored here. They're reputable.
The cat tail while amusing got mildly weird to read cause I can't tell if you're growing shrooms or you're one of those people who talks to/for/about their cat like their a person...nonstop. You can steam sterilize, I do. Watch RR's videos. The PC makes everything mostly idiot proof though. Make sure your fruiting chamber can hold the number of cakes you plan to birth with about 2-3 inches perimeter around each cake. Invest in Lysol, 70-90% alcohol, gloves, and perlite.
All the advice I got so far is: Don't panic. There won't be mycelium today or tomorrow or probably even the next day. Relax. Check every 3-5 days but most of all relax. Oh and the search bar at the bottom, your dear dear friend. Tell your cat to get your help with the typing :P
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ozzyozzyozzy
Australian



Registered: 10/23/06
Posts: 545
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: BlargIAmDead]
#7628346 - 11/12/07 10:52 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Also something I've learned, have a few batches going a few days away from each other. It sucks waiting a month+ and finding out it's contammed and you'll have to start over again. So start one batch, wait a few days while researching the hell out of your techniques, then do it again and do it better.
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thedefone
deus ex machina

Registered: 10/06/07
Posts: 1,883
Loc: Gondwana
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: ozzyozzyozzy]
#7628573 - 11/13/07 12:13 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Forget PF.
Rye is actually easier, but i think you need the pressure cooker so that you can sterilize it. You get more substrate, which colonizes faster. More Substrate = More Mushrooms. I have 24 1/2 pint jars taking up space in my cabinet.
Here's the link:Magash's Rye Masterpiece
REALLY... go this route and you will not be disappointed
--------------------
I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
Edited by thedefone (11/13/07 12:18 AM)
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ravin0fff
Stranger

Registered: 10/17/07
Posts: 228
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: gravitymonk]
#7628694 - 11/13/07 01:16 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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i had hoped the "my pet" thing died off a while ago, with "afoaf" slowly going the same way
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Nibin
Getting there



Registered: 11/29/05
Posts: 4,480
Last seen: 10 years, 8 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: gravitymonk]
#7628723 - 11/13/07 01:30 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Instead of critizising his cat, why don't we answer his questions, lol
On the bulk substrate question, if you don't own a pressure cooker you can't use grain reliably (so don't do as above suggested) and you will have to use a bulk substrate that only needs to be pasteurized. I'd personally go for hpoo.
You have also got the concept of Monotub wrong. Putting a cased substrate inside trays and then inside a tub with perlite in the bottom is not a monotub, it is just a set of cased trays inside a Fruiting Chamber.
The thing about a monotub is that is is both the container AND the Fruiting Chamber. You actually put the substrate in the bottom of the tub. A quick search will give you a few good teks to follow.
-------------------- Newcomers guide-----> For all things shroomy
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boingkster
CuriousCultivator


Registered: 09/28/07
Posts: 109
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: Nibin]
#7628991 - 11/13/07 05:57 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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1) Bring brown rice to boil in water. 2) Follow instructions until cooked (use absorbtion method so dont have to drain) 3) 'Fluff' rice with fork. 4) Fill jars with rice, add verm to top for reduction of contams. 5) PC/Boil shit out of/Microwve sterilise jars. 6) Wait til cool, then inoculate. 7) Put somewhere warm, then go get plastered and wake up 14 days later surrounded by hot women. 8) Take the posse back to your place, spawn cakes to coir after hydrating it with boiling water and letting cool in sealed grow container. Hold party afterwards. 9) Wake up with posse after another few weeks, consume shrooms. 10) Indulge in more bodily delights...oooooooooooooh yeah.
'Nuf Said!
-------------------- A Question Never Asked is an Answer Never Given [Having said that, use the Search button! Teks too!]
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Nibin
Getting there



Registered: 11/29/05
Posts: 4,480
Last seen: 10 years, 8 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: boingkster]
#7629005 - 11/13/07 06:05 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I wouldn't do that. Grains don't fruit as well on their own. The vermiculite gives the mycelium a good support to grow on while it feeds off the brown rice flour. If you are going to use grains on their own it is better if you use them to spawn (i.e. inoculate) a bulk substrate such as poo or straw.
-------------------- Newcomers guide-----> For all things shroomy
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psilosibling
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 449
Last seen: 11 years, 8 hours
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: boingkster]
#7629018 - 11/13/07 06:11 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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lol
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veda_sticks
Cultivator




Registered: 07/29/07
Posts: 14,191
Loc: UK
Last seen: 4 years, 25 days
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: Nibin]
#7629024 - 11/13/07 06:13 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Nibin said: I wouldn't do that. Grains don't fruit as well on their own. The vermiculite gives the mycelium a good support to grow on while it feeds off the brown rice flour. If you are going to use grains on their own it is better if you use them to spawn (i.e. inoculate) a bulk substrate such as poo or straw.
What about the grain bags that fruit straight out of the bag?? they seem to fruit pretty well.
-------------------- PF TEK - writeup by EvilMushroom666 Lets Grow Mushrooms - RogerRabbit & RoadKills website with sample videos plus the full PF TEK video series. Alot of great information - BUY THE DVD Cakes can and will pin! - So you think cakes suck for pins. Your wrong Franks Simple Coir/Verm Tek Franks Proper Pasturisation Tek Franks Spawning To Bulk - Monotub Professor Pinheads RTV Injection Port Tek Foo Mans No Soak WBS Prep Tek
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Nibin
Getting there



Registered: 11/29/05
Posts: 4,480
Last seen: 10 years, 8 months
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: veda_sticks]
#7629036 - 11/13/07 06:27 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Dunno, maybe it has to do with the microclimate the bags give, or the efficiency by weight or something, but I constantly read posts by the old hands like RR and company that grains are better suited for spawn as they don't fruit as well on their own.
-------------------- Newcomers guide-----> For all things shroomy
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thedefone
deus ex machina

Registered: 10/06/07
Posts: 1,883
Loc: Gondwana
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: Nibin]
#7629715 - 11/13/07 10:36 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I'll say it again. Get the pressure cooker and go with rye. Follow the tek that i left in my last post (which, by the way, clearly instructs you to case grains) and you will be surprised how productive and quick it is. You don't need to spawn to bulk, as suggested above, however that is also retardedly easy. If you use a high span to bulk ratio, like 2:1, or 3:1, pasteurization is OPTIONAL (although suggested).. But we're getting ahead of ourselves.
This stuff is a lot easier than you might think, so don't psych yourself out. Put a couple more dollars into the operation and you will get more bang for your buck.
Trust me.
--------------------
I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
Edited by thedefone (11/13/07 10:43 AM)
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jeetered
Stranger



Registered: 07/07/06
Posts: 3,055
Loc: no clue
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Re: My cat's first cultivation attempt [Re: thedefone]
#7629748 - 11/13/07 10:46 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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"when my penis was in my hand, it was thinking.. Should I grow mushrooms?"
we need more parts growing!
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