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Premedman1
Assistant to the insistent



Registered: 12/21/05
Posts: 2,376
Loc: South of Sanity
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Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain?
#9741476 - 02/05/09 03:14 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Let's pretend the new grower has the money for a PC.
I've heard arguments for both.
I'd like to hear from beginners and those who have done both.
Thanks.
-------------------- Build a man a fire, he is warm for the night. Set a man on fire, he is warm for the rest of his life.
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Roggen_Rocker
Strangler



Registered: 01/30/09
Posts: 143
Loc: Europe
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741486 - 02/05/09 03:16 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Well a pro for rye is that all the ingrediants are easy accesseble. Organic rye was really not hard for me to get my hands on + it was really cheap (10lb for 5€). For pf-cakes you need vermiculite and organic rice flour which I had to order over the internet which was not cheap and I had to pay shipping and needed to wait a while for it.
Edited by Roggen_Rocker (02/05/09 03:22 PM)
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Hallucinogenist
Stranger


Registered: 08/18/05
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741504 - 02/05/09 03:19 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I'm a beginner and have done both.
It all depends on your patience and ability to follow procedure.
If you've got the patience and will follow the procedures (especially dealing with sterility), then grain is just as easy, and only takes a couple weeks longer.
However, if you're wanting quicker results and don't want to follow all the extra procedures and precautions (glovebox, PC-ing for the appropriate time, 24 hour soaking, simmering, etc.), then your best bet is the PF Tek. It's simple, takes less time because you don't spawn it to any bulk, the jars are smaller which lets them colonize quicker, the sterility processes aren't as intense and it requires less preparation (casing layers, etc. which are preferred and highly recommended by most).
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PsychOfMSE
Out of the loop for too long




Registered: 12/13/08
Posts: 613
Loc: Midwest
Last seen: 2 years, 1 month
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Roggen_Rocker]
#9741507 - 02/05/09 03:19 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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A PF tek grow using a PC is pretty damn foolproof. It's definitely easier because you can fruit directly from the cake while grains need to be at the very least cased or better yet spawned to bulk.
Less steps = higher chance of success.
My 2 cents anyways.
-------------------- "I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves." - Orson Scott Card
Agar's Grain LC Tek <--- Never fool with honey water and contaminated LCs again!
Large_Dose's Ohmatic Monotub Tek
Monstermitch's LC/WBS/Monotub/Casing Tek
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schutzemdown
Waste of Space



Registered: 01/06/09
Posts: 4,048
Loc: The Hoosier State
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741521 - 02/05/09 03:22 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I did PF first and I'ts been 1 month since inoculation and I have this:

It will have some friends to follow in 3-4 days. This one went fast! I just started grain 5 days ago can't help you there.
-------------------- Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you drugs.
Try practicing safe sex and go fuck yourself!
AMU
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POWAtrippin
Decidedly Undecided.



Registered: 10/22/08
Posts: 2,207
Loc: zone 9b
Last seen: 4 months, 8 days
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Roggen_Rocker]
#9741526 - 02/05/09 03:23 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Personally prefer grain/spawning. I did both straight off and had success with both.
I think it is really just a matter of case to case use as well because some people just can't get anything to work.
I think everyone should just do everything and then do what works for them best.
-------------------- Don't believe everything you think. TRADE LIST
‹Sell Your Soul› You know this place is owned and operated by the Illuminati, right?
‹lsdwithme› i possibly just smoked a rat turd
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Angus
Trailer Park Supervisor



Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 312
Last seen: 2 years, 10 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: PsychOfMSE]
#9741532 - 02/05/09 03:24 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I'm still really a beginner, though I have done both a few times. I feel like if you can read through the pf tek and understand everything that happens and why, then read a few grain teks and you feel like you can handle it, then go for it. I will say that if you live with mommy and daddy (then you shouldn't be growing mushrooms!) then don't attempt any bulk grows.
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Premedman1
Assistant to the insistent



Registered: 12/21/05
Posts: 2,376
Loc: South of Sanity
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: POWAtrippin]
#9741559 - 02/05/09 03:29 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Great responses guys. I've never done cakes, but I can definitely see their appeal.
They've been done so many times, as long as you follow set measurements and procedure, they should turn out fine.
I've found it sometimes difficult to get grains to proper hydration, especially WBS. Especially when changing brands.
But I grains. The speed of colonization and ease of spawning, they can't be beat.
I guess I was just asking to get an idea of what to suggest to new growers. It sure helps to get other points of view.
-------------------- Build a man a fire, he is warm for the night. Set a man on fire, he is warm for the rest of his life.
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Jitsu
JKD Love



Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 1,073
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741583 - 02/05/09 03:35 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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grain = 12 hour soak, pc, inoculate.
PF TEK has more steps that can be confusing, such as field capacity. I think grains would be easier.
-------------------- Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.
How I get my Pinsets
The Capabilities Of A Shotgun FC
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Roggen_Rocker
Strangler



Registered: 01/30/09
Posts: 143
Loc: Europe
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Jitsu]
#9741598 - 02/05/09 03:37 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Jitsu said:
PF TEK has more steps that can be confusing, such as field capacity. I think grains would be easier.
I don't think you can do very wrong with 2 parts verm 1 part flour and 1 part water
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Jitsu
JKD Love



Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 1,073
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Roggen_Rocker]
#9741606 - 02/05/09 03:38 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Roggen_Rocker said:
Quote:
Jitsu said:
PF TEK has more steps that can be confusing, such as field capacity. I think grains would be easier.
I don't think you can do very wrong with 2 parts verm 1 part flour and 1 part water
You'd be surprised my friend, you'd be surprised...
-------------------- Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.
How I get my Pinsets
The Capabilities Of A Shotgun FC
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schutzemdown
Waste of Space



Registered: 01/06/09
Posts: 4,048
Loc: The Hoosier State
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Roggen_Rocker]
#9741608 - 02/05/09 03:38 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I 2nd that. Idiot proof!
-------------------- Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you drugs.
Try practicing safe sex and go fuck yourself!
AMU
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Premedman1
Assistant to the insistent



Registered: 12/21/05
Posts: 2,376
Loc: South of Sanity
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Jitsu]
#9741627 - 02/05/09 03:42 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I know they both have their pros and cons.
I hear a lot of newer growers complain that they can't find vermiculite. I know how difficult it is to find locally, especially this time of year.
Grains require a PC, which is more money than a lot of people can afford right off the bat, especially if they just want to grow a time or two.
-------------------- Build a man a fire, he is warm for the night. Set a man on fire, he is warm for the rest of his life.
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Nibin
Getting there



Registered: 11/29/05
Posts: 4,480
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741634 - 02/05/09 03:43 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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My private theory:
The kind of person that ends up getting hooked on this hobby i.e. reads up lots of info, is at least slightly interested in the lifecycle of the fungus, is careful about what he does etc will have absolutely no problem with either method. it has nothing to do with being smart, educated or anything like that, just taking pride in what you do.
The king of people who start in this hobby with the mentality of "dude I want to get high shroomz rock!!!!!!" should start off with the PF tek because it is so foolproof and forgiving. That person might then get hooked and change his attitude towards growing and be fine with the other methods.
It is like growing weed. Any idiot can plant some seeds outside and end up with at least smokeable material but an indoor grow requires a little more attention to detail.
Since you can't always tell which kind of person the new grower is, I always recommend starting from PF tek as it basically ensures success in both cases.
-------------------- Newcomers guide-----> For all things shroomy
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schutzemdown
Waste of Space



Registered: 01/06/09
Posts: 4,048
Loc: The Hoosier State
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741640 - 02/05/09 03:44 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Verm is easy to find here and it's dead of winter.
-------------------- Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you drugs.
Try practicing safe sex and go fuck yourself!
AMU
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Roggen_Rocker
Strangler



Registered: 01/30/09
Posts: 143
Loc: Europe
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Premedman1]
#9741649 - 02/05/09 03:45 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Premedman1 said:
Grains require a PC, which is more money than a lot of people can afford right off the bat, especially if they just want to grow a time or two.
but also it's not that uncommon to just have one allready. if not I don't think it would be super hard to borrow one from somebody.
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POWAtrippin
Decidedly Undecided.



Registered: 10/22/08
Posts: 2,207
Loc: zone 9b
Last seen: 4 months, 8 days
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: schutzemdown]
#9741657 - 02/05/09 03:46 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Idiots don't follow directions, thats the problem, of course if they followed the directions they are going to succeed.
-------------------- Don't believe everything you think. TRADE LIST
‹Sell Your Soul› You know this place is owned and operated by the Illuminati, right?
‹lsdwithme› i possibly just smoked a rat turd
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schutzemdown
Waste of Space



Registered: 01/06/09
Posts: 4,048
Loc: The Hoosier State
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: POWAtrippin]
#9741673 - 02/05/09 03:48 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I had never seen a PC till i found this place. But it is the first item on my need to get list!
-------------------- Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you drugs.
Try practicing safe sex and go fuck yourself!
AMU
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Roggen_Rocker
Strangler



Registered: 01/30/09
Posts: 143
Loc: Europe
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: schutzemdown]
#9741678 - 02/05/09 03:49 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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well I know quite a few people who have and use a PC just to cook their potatoes.
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schutzemdown
Waste of Space



Registered: 01/06/09
Posts: 4,048
Loc: The Hoosier State
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: Which is easier/better for a beginner - PF Tek or Grain? [Re: Roggen_Rocker]
#9741689 - 02/05/09 03:52 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Thats what my girl said. She's a little country, and I'm a whole lot city.
-------------------- Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you drugs.
Try practicing safe sex and go fuck yourself!
AMU
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