WBS vs Popcorn Question

[dragonstud725]

I have always used WBS that I spawn to hpoo and wheat straw. But I really hate spending hours seperating the black sunflower seeds and corn from the WBS. I was thinking about using popcorn on my next grow because I wouldnt have to seperate anything. I was wondering that if I use popcorn would there be any diffrence in the colonizion time and potiency stuff like that. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Dr_T]

I put the WBS in a pot of water, and the sunflower seeds float up to the top- I just skim them off. And I don't get the kind with cracked corn, though I've heard it doesn't cause any trouble.

But as to your question- popcorn should work just fine. Check prices though, it may be cheaper to just use rye berries. Some folks say popcorn colonizes faster, others say that's because the grains are bigger. I tried it once, but at 3x the price of WBS, it's not something I want to continue with.

[helloinsomnia]

I can pick up a 50 pound bag of popcorn for $15 at Sams Club. I believe it is the same at Costco. I can also buy 2 pound bags at Meijer for $1.59.

4 pounds of hydrated popcorn can fill 7 quarts to the max. It really only takes 3 pounds to properly fill them - just enough room for g2g.

I take the popcorn and fill a quart jar to 200 ml then fill with water until the top 1/4 inch. Then PC it for 45 minutes at 15 psi.

Then I rinse the popcorn in a strainer with hot water and let it dry for about 15 minutes. Throw some verm in the bottom of the jar and fill with popcorn.

Jars go in the pc for 90 minutes at 15 psi.

The popcorn expands 2-3 times it's size during the hydration process but retains this water well.

Colonization times are:
3 days for slurry (with 80% of my jars finishing at only 61 hours)
5-7 days with LC using 3-5cc's
No idea for MS

I used WBS one time and it worked well but it seemed like much more work. I do not find popcorn lacking in any way - and I believe it is easier to use.

I wish you the best of luck with either.

[Dr_T]

OMG! 50 pounds of p'corn for $15!!?!?!

[helloinsomnia]

Originally Posted by Dr_T

OMG! 50 pounds of p'corn for $15!!?!?!

Yes doc. I've tried everything to find the cheapest popcorn. You can buy it for around the same price online but shipping 50 pounds costs a hella lot. For 2 week shipping its usually $30-40 bucks. Next day has been as much as $500 - no joke.

So in the end a trip to the ol' club solved the problem go figure. To be honest I wanted to buy bulk for the price - and because it's awkward walking out of Meijer with 10 pounds of popcorn and 3 cans of oust.

[Psoulocybe]

Popcorn's downfall is inoculation points. If you usually use 4 qts of WBS spawn, you'll probably need 6 qts popcorn.

But, it's really fast, doesn't smell quite as icky......

Frankly, I love it.

[roc]

Originally Posted by Psoulocybe

Popcorn's downfall is inoculation points. If you usually use 4 qts of WBS spawn, you'll probably need 6 qts popcorn.

But, it's really fast, doesn't smell quite as icky......

Frankly, I love it.

Nice post - I have been trying for years to get folks to do 50/50 wbs/pc but no one listens.
Best of both worlds... lots of innoc points and room between kernals for super fast growth.
Anyways I use 50/50 100 percent of the time these days.

[dragonstud725]

Thanks guys, Looks like I am going to be heading to Sam's. I have never heard of using 50% WBS and 50% popcorn before. I am going to give it a try I bet it will work awesome. Since it would be nice and airy for fast growth and still have the innoc points.

[sangraal]

Many brands of Finch seed is packaged without sunflower seeds. Otherwise, like Dr T said, let'em float to the top and skim or pour off. Shake it around or stir, the rest will come to the surface. I'm a huge fan of WBS, but I never acquired a real good feel for popcorn. The 50/50 WBS/popcorn does sound like a real good idea, however. May give it a shot next round with the jars.