Bulk Substrate Ideas

[Azuloso83]

I have a FOAF who is using rye berries as initial substrate but would like to use mix the rye spawn into a bulk substrate to improve yield. He was wondering what, in everyone's opinion, the best mix for this would be. If at all possible he would like to avoid the use of manure as it is more conspicuous than say worm castings and coir. Again, it is good to be here and I appreciate any helpy you can provide my FOAF!

[DeadDog]

what a coincidence, i was just looking for a grow log diary section or some such other to log my bulk sub recipe. i dont usually put the whole thing up cause ppl often say you dont need this you dont need that, but ive found that its a very effective mix.

its main mass is a mixture of straw/hpoo/coir in any configuration, use any or all 3. i use 50%coir/30%poo/20%straw but thats personal preference. what i think makes the most difference is the base of nutrients you give your shrooms so they can fulfil their potential.

this mix is only a rough guide and makes 8-10 litres depending how generous you are with verm etc.

2/3 brick of coir (hydrated with weak coffee soloution)
equal amount of dried poo/straw
1 cup poultry pellets (can buy in smallish boxes from garden centres)
1 cup gypsum (from homebrew shop)
1-2 cups spent coffee grounds (drink loads of coffee or ask at starfucks)
2-4 cups fine vermiculite (go heavy on verm if using exlcusivly coir)

i dump all that in a tub to mix up you'll find this mix is prolly a little dry, youll want to wet it to field capacity, i use a special mix to do this also.

to mix up roughly 1.5 litres of nutrient soloution get a big jug and stick blender, or even better a food processor.

drop into the blender;

1 litre rainwater (hard/soft/bottled/well any water will do)
2 tablespoon marmite/bovril
2 tablespoon honey
30ml liquid kelp
500ml sunflower/olive/safflower (if none available veg oil works)

blitz the shit out of it for 2-3 mins so the oil looks emulsified, quickly and evenly pour this over your bulk sub and mix through thoughrerly for a few minutes. i find that this mix can usually be compressed into one bucket and say in a large pan bain marie style to pasturise. go ahead and stick some cligfilm over the top, then a few layers of foil to help insulate. i like to give it 2 hours between 60-70C then let it sit in the hot water for a further hour then remove and allow to cool naturally, can be chilled in 1-3 hours by sitting bucket in sink with ice etc, this can draw in contams with the rapid change in pressure tho so beware.

[Azuloso83]

Thanks for the recipe dog, it is something my FOAF might find useful in the future and I'm sure others will take it into consideration as well. Because my FOAF is relatively new to growing, he will probably try something less elaborate for his initial bulk casings. If and when he does use your method, he is sure to let us know!