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Offlineash
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Registered: 11/18/07
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Loc: Belgium
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PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help!
    #7650388 - 11/18/07 09:43 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

Hi,
First of all I'm very new to this, so I might be asking obvious questions, but there are some things that keep me awake these days so I'd appredciate any expert help on this.

I made my first cakes yesterday, using the PFTek method with brown rice flour & vermiculite. But now I'm worried that my substrate isn't prepared the right way (although I followed instructions, its structure just looks different from other pics I've seen).
It was pretty sticky, and everytime I put a spoonfull into the jar, it sorta formed a 'clump' which I carefully spreaded with my spoon (afraid to loose the airy structure). After filling my jar it still had quite some 'empty spaces' in it, and the substrate didn't touch the walls of the jar on most of the sides (but I didnt want to press on the substrate, for the airy structure).



NOW; what worries me is:

-When inoculating with the syringe I placed the needle against the inner walls of the jar, and it ran down, but it didnt seem to touch the substrate at many places because of the air gaps!

-Also, my structure is very airy and not airy at the same time. I have like lots of small compact clumps, with free spaces in between.. I'm not sure if thats how it has to be..

Thanks for any help on clearing this up.. I'm really wondering if this is a lost case and weather to start all over.


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Offlineveda_sticks
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Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: ash]
    #7650407 - 11/18/07 09:51 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

My jars tend to be on the sticky side, and have not ran into any problems. The substrate may just be a tiny bit on the wet side.

Next time u could try using a little less water, depending on what grade of verm you have can have an effect on the water content.

As for the spores, they will find there way. JUst leave em be and u should see something happening within a week :smile:


--------------------

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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OfflineNibin
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Registered: 11/29/05
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Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: veda_sticks]
    #7650434 - 11/18/07 10:02 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

also, while you are spooning the mix in a few light taps against the table help get rid of the air pockets.

Don't bang too hard just a light tapping


--------------------
Newcomers guide-----> For all things shroomy


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Offlinegaladar


Registered: 05/09/07
Posts: 981
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Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: Nibin]
    #7650442 - 11/18/07 10:06 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

also , tilt your jar sideways when injectin spores.
and dont shoot too hard. just a few dribbles is good.


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OfflineRogerRabbitM
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Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: galadar]
    #7650480 - 11/18/07 10:27 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

For best results, your substrate should be loose and airy, not sticky when you load your jars. Watch the first part of this four part series and Roadkill will show you how to get your cakes just right. http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=mushroom+cultivation&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
RR


--------------------
Download Let's Grow Mushrooms



semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat

"I've never had a failed experiment.  I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work."
Thomas Edison


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OfflineButterWeasels
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Registered: 08/11/06
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Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: RogerRabbit]
    #7650538 - 11/18/07 10:59 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

When I do the PF-Tek I end up always having to add vermiculite to it because its so wet. Just add a little and keep stirring it around until you get the perfect mixture. If I don't add any vermiculite the jars will be too wet, you can tell on the bottom because it will not be airy at all, and this causes the myc to take longer colonizing the heavily wet parts.

I add verm until the mixture looks airy once I put it in the jar. I figure a dry jar is better than a wet one, lets you inoculate a few cc's without messing up water content.


--------------------
-==Classic Cakes Log==-


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Invisiblenorml840 Happy Birthday!
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Registered: 10/19/07
Posts: 3,170
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Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: RogerRabbit]
    #7650551 - 11/18/07 11:07 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

RogerRabbit said:
For best results, your substrate should be loose and airy, not sticky when you load your jars. Watch the first part of this four part series and Roadkill will show you how to get your cakes just right. http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=mushroom+cultivation&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
RR





Edited by norml840 (12/14/07 02:42 PM)


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Offlineash
shrimp
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Registered: 11/18/07
Posts: 25
Loc: Belgium
Last seen: 12 years, 11 months
Re: PFTek: first time problems and doubts about substrate. Please help! [Re: norml840]
    #7650587 - 11/18/07 11:20 AM (16 years, 2 months ago)

Thanks to all of you for the quick replies & advice! I'll just wait to see how it evolves, and keep informing me in the mean time.
I'll definitely check the Roadkill series on that matter.

ciao!


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