Pan Cyan not colonizing casing layer?

[somahawk]

If one only incubated a casing for 2 days after applying a very thin casing layer (1/8" - 1/4"), birthed it, and 8 days later the casing layer isn't being colonized should that casing be thrown away? Any realistic chance of pins, or would this only yield green mold? (strain : Goliath )

[Myc]

What did you case with?
How was the casing prepared?
If the sub underneath was fully colonized and free of contaminants, I wouldn't worry about it. Let it go for awhile before you do anything drastic.

Good Luck!

[somahawk]

The substrate is a combination of Hpoo, verm, straw and rye. The substrate is completely white, though seems stalled. Was placed into FC on the 29th of last month

casing

1cup coir
1cup verm
1cup peatmoss
1tsp calcium carbonate
1tsp gypsum

Pasteurized for 2hrs at 140degrees.


FC has been 78-82 degrees
Plenty of manual and automatic (ultrasonic) misting/fanning per day.

[Myc]

Hmmm.
Looks like you used a good casing tek. With the coir and peat moss, I would have imagined it would colonize.
I still wouldn't sweat it though.
Plenty of fresh air and high RH are the key to Pan cultures.
Perhaps the casing is a little dry?
If so, mist lightly several times a day until it looks right.

[somahawk]

Yeah, I assumed it would have colonized in the FC with such a thin casing layer, so I birthed after only 2 days of incubation. Thanks for the encouragement.

[somahawk]

bump in hopes someone experienced with Pan Cyan strain Goliath can give their opinion. (In FC : 10 days)

[golly]

Tray looks good ..Casing layer doesn't have to colo for fruiting ..If Sub moisture is good then you should see something any time now..

Just hang in there, U seem to be doing everything right...

The most likely reason a pan tray won't fruit when conditions are good, is due to mold,
which can also look white at first... As long as the myc has a wispy appearance ,u should b fine...

[somahawk]

The outer areas seems wispier than Cubensis, and the "core" seems dense or matted. I'm sure this is a stupid question, but does side pinning occur with pans?


better shot of the mycelium :


possible side pin forming?

[golly]

Yep, first little knots form, then tiny tan colored caps develop..
There seems to be some excess water accumulating in the base..try to avoid standing water down there..
That could be a pin forming...

[somahawk]

Well after day 19 it started to smell, and had no signs of pins so I threw it out. Ive been incubating backup trays for 6 days after applying a casing layer and these aren't doing much either. They have been kept in darkness @ 82-86 degrees. The trays are covered in saran wrap, with toothpick sized holes covered in micropore tape.

The substrate colonized very quickly (12-14 days) in a filter patch bag (LC) , and was allowed 1 1/2 days to recover in trays before casing was applied. Are there any concerns about incubating too long? Are contams more likely? I'm worried about birthing without any overlay, as I've read Goliaths won't fruit without it.

Casing mix :
1 cup coco coir
1 cup peat moss
1 cup verm
1/2 tsp gypsum
1/2 tsp calcium carbonate

Any input is appreciated.

[Psilly_Engineer]

If it is starting to smell like anything other than earth and mushrooms you probably have contams.

[somahawk]

The casings in question are fine as far as odor is concerned. The one that started to smell didn't start untill 19 days in the FC.

What I'm trying to figure out is whether I should birth them or continue to incubate until casing is completely overlayed. They have been incubating for 6 days now with the casing. I have no problem waiting longer I just am unsure whether contams will become an issue incubating a casing for so long.

#1 :




#2 :

[golly]

6 days is a bit long for incubating Pans.. Typically i would spawn to the poo or straw and cover for 3 days, then case and go directly to fruiting..
Pins normally show on day 7 at 80F...

The amount of colonization in the casing layer is not that important imo but usually ends up in the 60 - 100% range..

[DeadSpore]

I don't know if it will help you, but a good recipe I stumbled accross is:

40% Verm
40% Peat
20% Cactus Mix or Poo (Helps the casing colonize better)
P/H balanced to 7.0 with Hydrated Lime

I know that mix will fruit Goliaths just fine.
I don't find coir to be very beneficial to pans.

golly was right about all that standing water. I think bacterial bloom was the enemy.

[somahawk]

Thanks for the replies and insight into the cause of the bacteria. To avoid water buildup should I cut off the ultrasonic this time around and just lay crumbled wax paper over the casing layer? Thanks also for relieving my concern about the need for overlay.

[DeadSpore]

The ultrasonic would be great to use about 15 seconds every 4-6 hours with a continuous coolmist operation.

[somahawk]

Alright, will begin search for a cool mist soon.

Also reading your comment about coir in the casing mix led me to try 50/50(can't find cactus mix at local nurseries) in my last backup tray. I also used a different kind of peat moss so I can't be sure it's the lack of coir, but the difference is incredible.

[Hippie3]

that looks nice!

[eatyualive]

generally i see full colonization of casing with pans in 3 days. that last pic looks good. maybe you just needed more air exchange. although ive never had problems with air exchange during incubation. me likes 50/50 coarse grade verm to coir for pans... always works well....