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nez
Stranger
Registered: 07/06/08
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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New Member, New Grower, First Attempt...
#8602735 - 07/06/08 11:57 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hello,
Ive recently been reading these forums due to an increased interest in shroom cultivation. Ive read a lot of threads on a lot of different teks and ideas.
Its really a lot of information to take in, so Im posting this in hopes of obtaining advice as my shroom growing progresses (hopefully.) I am going to list my progress here, so please feel free to analyze, critique and give feedback for anything.
For my first attempt, I have decided to use the PF Tek (For Simple Minds.)
I obtained the required materials, and while waiting for my spores to arrive (it took a week,) I sprayed down one of my walk-in closets with lysol daily.
When the spores arrived, I prepared my substrate. In a giant, clean and sanitized mixing bowl, I added in fine grade vermiculite, and mixed in cold bottled water until water could be seen slowly running from the bottom of the bowl, just like in the guide.
Once the proper water content was achieved, I added in the brown rice flour. I followed the proportions listed in the instructions, however I found that the mix just wasnt as white as it appeared on the guide, so I added a bit more BRF. Do these measurements needs to be precise, or is it okay to stray from suggestions in the guides? Will using more BRF than I should have cause any issues?
After mixing, I added the substrate to ten half pint jars, loosely filling them to about half an inch from the top. I ensured no substrate was left on the edges of the jars, and added my layer of dry vermiculite at the top.
I covered each jar with a folded layer of tin foil, then screwed on the lids (their centers were missing so I could screw them down and still have access to the foil cover) then added the single sheet of foil on top.
I had an over-sized pot with a strainer that sat about 2" above the bottom, which I placed the jars in, and kept boiling (covered) for 2 hours to let the steam sterilize. After the 2 hours ended, I let the jars cool overnight in my sterilized closet.
The next day I sprayed my bathroom, my bedroom, my clean clothes and the growing closet with lysol. I showered with antibacterial foaming soap, put on my clean clothes, put on one of those germ masks, and put on some latex gloves. I sprayed my clothes one more time with lysol, and rinsed my gloves in rubbing alcohol.
I walked into the growing room, washed my gloves in rubbing alcohol again, took out the syringe (Alacabenzi spores) and added the needle. One by one I took the top layer of foil off each jar, flame sterilized the needle (I did this for each jar) and injected the spores in 4 equally opposite sides of the jar, making sure I saw the spores run down the sides of the jar.
One by one, once inoculated, I misted each layer of foil with some rubbing alcohol before covering the jars back up (in case some germs/bacteria/whatever got on the foil) and placed them in my incubator. I sprayed a small cloth towel with lysol, and placed it over the jars.
I have a remote thermometer, and currently have the incubator set to 80F inside the box. Ive read that mycelium generates heat as it is growing, so I left it at 80F in case the inside of the jars was warmer.
This was completed today (07/06/2008) at approx 11 AM Pacific. I will add my results and pictures should the mycelium successfully colonize the jars.
How did I do so far?
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 6,512
Loc: Under The Rainbow
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8602791 - 07/07/08 12:23 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Sounds like you read up before asking questions...Props. I actually did the same thing you did on my first grow or so. I thought I needed more of something, and I ended up being fine. I would say you will probably be fine, but the vermiculite helps for moisture so it may cause some problems, but I doubt any noticeable differences. How much more BRF did you add?
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nez
Stranger
Registered: 07/06/08
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: MHbound]
#8602821 - 07/07/08 12:32 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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I added about 1 cup more BRF to the entire mix, for all ten jars. I added a tiny bit more water too, as I noted the mixture was not as moist as it originally was. I was very careful and patient with this mix, and added the extras in bit by bit until the mix looked 'right'.
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BrandNewbie
Captain



Registered: 05/21/08
Posts: 2,932
Loc: U.S.A.
Last seen: 5 years, 7 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: MHbound]
#8602834 - 07/07/08 12:39 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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You maybe should have kept to the recipe, but it sounds like your trying to hit a home run friend. The only thing I would have done, (which you may have just failed to note), is shaken my syringe like I was rubbing one out, before inoculation. (I wonder why syringe dealers don't go the extra small step of adding a drop of JetDry to the mix? That's worth a couple bucks extra to me...) The best of luck to you! Welcome to the Shroomery! Next round of free spore prints is on you! I called it! No takebacks!
lol
-------------------- Question: Why do women wear make-up and perfume?
Answer: Because they're ugly and they stink.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 6,512
Loc: Under The Rainbow
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8602842 - 07/07/08 12:43 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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You should be fine. I would stick to the TEK next time as it has been proven to work time, and time again. I can say this from personal experience. Adding water can often hurt it causing "wet spots", but the water should be absorbed by the extra BRF you placed in the jars. I think you'll be fine. I'm sure some others will be by shortly to give their opinions. Good luck and keep us updated. You could possibly start a grow log with pictures.
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nez
Stranger
Registered: 07/06/08
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: MHbound]
#8602868 - 07/07/08 12:54 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Ah, I did leave that out. I did ensure there was some air in the syringe, and gave it a good shake. I don't know if I shook it like I was rubbing one out...but close 
As for the extra BRF/water, I will make sure to just stick to directions next time. For some reason the mix as it was just felt wrong to me. I don't know why, considering I had zero growing experience prior to this attempt...
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 6,512
Loc: Under The Rainbow
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8602887 - 07/07/08 01:01 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Last thing...Hopefully you flamed the needle before inoculating EACH jar until the needle tip was red hot, and then flamed it one more time before you put the cap back on.
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BrandNewbie
Captain



Registered: 05/21/08
Posts: 2,932
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8602892 - 07/07/08 01:03 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
nez said: For some reason the mix as it was just felt wrong to me. I don't know why, considering I had zero growing experience prior to this attempt...
Maybe you're one of those people that have it all in your genes at birth! It's like Zen growing. (That's when you and the spores are at one with the universe, and your jars are just in the way...)
I'm funnin' ya. Glad you shook 'em up, even if you didn't do it like you were rubbing one out.
An old Navy saying; "It's my soap, it's my dick, and I'll wash it as fast as I want."
-------------------- Question: Why do women wear make-up and perfume?
Answer: Because they're ugly and they stink.
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tripchip
The Mushroom Monkey



Registered: 07/07/08
Posts: 1,154
Loc: African Jungle
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: BrandNewbie]
#8602916 - 07/07/08 01:17 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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sounds like your on the right path!
-------------------- Psilocybe Cubensis
Psilocybe comes from the Greek root "psilos" meaning bald head and Cubensis because it was first recognized as a new species from specimens collected in Cuba.
CHIP
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nez
Stranger
Registered: 07/06/08
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: BrandNewbie]
#8602963 - 07/07/08 01:47 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
MHbound said: Last thing...Hopefully you flamed the needle before inoculating EACH jar until the needle tip was red hot, and then flamed it one more time before you put the cap back on.
Yes, I did do that. The needle did not inoculate a jar unless it was flame sterilized first.
Quote:
BrandNewbie said: Maybe you're one of those people that have it all in your genes at birth! It's like Zen growing. (That's when you and the spores are at one with the universe, and your jars are just in the way...)
Haha, I wish I was the Shroom Zen Master, I'd be rich, among other things...
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beengonetoolong
Gravy Train Conductor



Registered: 06/01/08
Posts: 523
Last seen: 14 years, 7 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8603365 - 07/07/08 08:10 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
nez said: I followed the proportions listed in the instructions, however I found that the mix just wasnt as white as it appeared on the guide, so I added a bit more BRF. Do these measurements needs to be precise, or is it okay to stray from suggestions in the guides? Will using more BRF than I should have cause any issues?
No the BRF/Verm "recipe" does not have to be exact. AFOAF likes to use MORE BRF then any of the recipes suggest. As long as its 'close' to the amounts called for in the pf tek and others, it should be fine.
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Is there life after death? Trespass and find out.
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hoodbran
Dosser



Registered: 06/01/08
Posts: 1,570
Loc: Phloston Paradise
Last seen: 9 months, 8 days
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: beengonetoolong]
#8603456 - 07/07/08 08:58 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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i added xtra brf this time round and my jars are like 70% in 10 days
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nez
Stranger
Registered: 07/06/08
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: hoodbran]
#8604294 - 07/07/08 02:06 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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I've noticed a lot of people are adding casing to their cakes, but the pf tek for simple minds guide does not mention casing of any kind... Would casing pf cakes give me a better fruiting yield? If so, what is the optimum casing mix for pf cakes?
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 6,512
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Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8604347 - 07/07/08 02:20 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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I don't like casing cakes, only grains. If you do choose to(your yields will probably be less than normal cakes) I would use one of ht 50/50 teks. Something like 50 either coir(or peat moss), and 50 vermiculite. You have to be careful when you get into this. You will have to read up on pasteurizing which isn't hard, and sterilize the vermiculite. If anything I would take the cakes...And dunk and roll them. If you don't know what that is...
Dunk them in water with a plate or something to submerge them completely for 6-24 hours no more than 24, and I usually do it about um 12-16.
Then roll the cakes after you pull them out in dry vermiculite. It acts as a casing in a sense. Will increase yields.
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SelfDestruct
noobzilla

Registered: 06/11/08
Posts: 112
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: MHbound]
#8604367 - 07/07/08 02:29 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Sounds good so far, you seem really sterile about it all. Did you inoculate in a glovebox of sorts as well or do open-air innoc?
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PowerOfTheCoir
Newbie Sympathizer



Registered: 07/02/08
Posts: 421
Last seen: 14 years, 24 days
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: SelfDestruct]
#8604412 - 07/07/08 02:43 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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The safest bet is to take MHbound's advice and do a dunk and roll. The verm is a really thin casing that seems to help with pinning. It also helps rehydrate cakes by improving absorption from misting.
If you want to actually make trays and case them, you can find some good info by researching "crumble and case." Also, Hyphae's Pinning Strategy includes the crumble and case method, although alot of what he says can be used when casing anything.
My experience with crumbling and casing cakes is that you often get a bigger first flush with lots of small-medium shrooms. Total yield isn't improved since you still have the same 1/4 cup of brf as a food source. Rehydration via dunking is tough with a cased tray, so your yield may actually go down from the reduced water availability, although the casing layer can be used to counter this. Crumble and case methods greatly increase your chances of losing your grow to contaminants and there is a little more waiting since the substrate has to recover from crumbling. Although, as I said before, once the first flush happens, you often get a bigger first flush than cakes.
If you are just starting out, I'd keep the cakes whole. The best use, IMHO, for crumble and case methods is as a tool to learn a little about making and fruiting casings. You can also use the crumble and case technique plus a bulk substrate (coir is common to start on) to actually get much better yields. This lets you learn bulk without mastering grains, although grains aren't that hard and are well worth learning.
G-Damn, this adderral is making my posts long!
-------------------- Check out my first ever TEK!
Shroom capsules with the Cap-M-Quik (pics)
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nez
Stranger

Registered: 07/06/08
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: SelfDestruct]
#8604479 - 07/07/08 03:05 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
SelfDestruct said: Sounds good so far, you seem really sterile about it all. Did you inoculate in a glovebox of sorts as well or do open-air innoc?
No, I did not create a glovebox for this. I inoculated the jars in my closet room which has been sprayed down with lysol at least daily for a week prior to inoculating. About 5 minutes before the actual inoculation, I gave the closet a thorough spray of lysol.
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nez
Stranger

Registered: 07/06/08
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Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8631220 - 07/13/08 08:49 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Well, one week later and I bring good news - the mycelium in almost all jars is showing a good amount of growth. I can't find my battery charger for my camera, so I took a few pics with my cellphone camera. I know it's not the best quality, but I thought it might give some of you a good idea of where I'm at in this process. Here are a few pics:
Shot of a jar on July 11th:

Shot of the same jar on July 13th:

In my anxious wait of the growing, I decided to inoculate 6 more jars with the Puerto Rican strain. I wanted to take a pic of the jars before their tin foil cover to give you an idea of what I'm doing with the lids:

I inoculated the jars this morning. One thing that had me concerned is that even after shaking the syringe, I could not see any spores like I could with the other syringe. The syringe was pretty clear. I don't know if you can see much with this pic, but here it is:
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


Registered: 09/24/07
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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: nez]
#8631715 - 07/13/08 10:51 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Sweet. Its colonizing pretty rapidly thats good!
The 3 spots on the bottom of that jar look kind of gray. It may be from the light. I know in my jars it can look that way sometimes with the light reflecting off of the rounded edge.
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nez
Stranger

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Re: New Member, New Grower, First Attempt... [Re: MHbound]
#8631837 - 07/13/08 11:20 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yeah, it's a lighting trick. The bottoms have no sign of growth, but show no sign of any contamination. One thing I've been wondering though, is that in another thread:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/8608723/an/0/page/0
Some posters said the foil covering the jars should be removed. In the guides I've read, none have ever advised to do so. Am I missing something here?
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