Ok Questions about my first attempt.

[smokinjoe]

I went shopping and got just about everything I think I need, but i ran across a few problems.
1) I went to 4 Different places looking for Vermeculite and found none! Will Perlite work?
2) I looked for "Brown Rice Powder", didnt find any of that either, so i got organic brown rice. Will it work just the same or should I go get some horse, donkey, or cow shit instead?

I just sent off the cash for prints today, When I get them Im wanting to start asap.

Heres pictures of everything I got, please let me know what I need to change or modify. Ive read a few threads and still reading but if i could get some help it would be greatly appreciated.

[hyphaenation]

Sounds like your pretty much good to go. Just about any hardware store , building supply center with gardening section , box store or farmers suplly will have verm for potting plants.

The brown rice is ground in a coffee grinder.

Here's a bunch of info on BRF and how to work with it:

http://archives.mycotopia.net/discus...tml?1093177141

Horse poo is king but most others will work.

Look for some pillow stuffing polyfil and/or postal tyvek envelopes.

Make some decent long lasting lids:

http://forums.mycotopia.net/jars-bag...lid-setup.html (silicon/tyvek lid setup)

Best of luck.

[smokinjoe]

im probably going to have to order the verm online.
Also, How do I innoculate with a print? Ill be using prints instead of syringes. Do I wait until after innoculation to put the verm in? Can Ive read the pf tek, but it doesnt say anything about using a print or piece of live tissue.
I appreciate all the help.

[hyphaenation]

There's so many to choose from in the archives. Hard to pick just one. Its always good for a member to read through those threads to refresh ones self.

http://archives.mycotopia.net/discus...tml?1161307013

It even has many sub categories like syringes and teks to make them:

http://archives.mycotopia.net/discus...tml?1079704398

If you don't have syringes or cant get them might I recommend putting a print rolled print outwards inside a sterlized glass eye-dropper. Fill 3/4's with clean water and replace lid. Shake violently , then again. Get jars ready that have lids with a dime sized hole stuffed with polyfil , remove eye-dropper and place beside polyfil in hole insert and squeeze , remove and repeat on other jars or store.

Best to get syringe if you can find them. If not treat the eye-dropper like a syringe in all teks.

You could also just scrape spores into jars inside a glovebox. Not to bad of an idea , prone to contams though.

[tbonus]

Hyphs got it all covered,as he's very knowledgeable at this.Just make sure your working in as sterile conditions as possible.Keep us posted and good vibes your way!!

[hyphaenation]

An after thought ...

If your going to order verm anyways and you are new to the hobby it might be a good idea to order the whole cake mix pre-made by an expert. Hippie3 sells PF-style , presterilized cakes from his Mycrotopia site:

http://www.mycrotopia.com/catalog/catalog.php

Just a plug for a great company with many happy customers. Buying quality gear off Mycrotopia directly supports this site. If you ask nice he might even sell you a nice strain to grow.

[smokinjoe]

Well, Im going to read on a some more, I ordered 3 prints, so Ill try my mix with the first print to test the waters and see how it works out.
If it dont go so well Im going to get some premade from Hippie3

Also is pond or river water really better than store bought like Ozarka.

Now Ive just got to go get a coffee grinder>>
Would a weed grinder work?

[johnnydigital]

Anything that will grind the brown rice into a flour type consistency will work.... the method of choice for me to grind brown rice is a coffee grinder because its the grinders are cheap, easy and i LOVE fresh ground coffee.

Verm can be a pain to find, but keep looking... it took me about a week to find a local store that had it after I moved, wheras everyone had perlite.

One thing I didn't see you mention was a pressure cooker. Do you have one or have access to one?

Also, I've used organic rice and cheap ass brown rice and found no difference... so its your preference.

Syringes can be bought from one of the big 'Smart' or "Co" pet stores.... look in the horse section... they are cheap and re-usable and you can buy the actual needle tips separate. It will make things alot easier on you to use them, as you will be innoculating jars, you'll want to be able to stick the needle tip halfway down the jar without opening it.

Good Luck!!

[Jaspmf]

If there are any garden centers or greenhouses in your area they'll have vermiculite..although ordering online isn't a bad idea.

Make sure you sterilize everything well...Like if you use an eyedropper in lieu of a syringe, sterilize that sucker.

If you don't have a pressure cooker, the boiling method outlined in the PFtek works well...I used it, boiled all my BRF jars 90+ minutes and 0 contams on 24 jars..

A weed grinder might work lol, but you'd be grinding away for A LONG time.

Are those WIDE MOUTH jars? If not that could be a potential snag...couldn't see in the pick, but it looks like it says regular?

[smokinjoe]

Originally Posted by johnnydigital

Anything that will grind the brown rice into a flour type consistency will work.... the method of choice for me to grind brown rice is a coffee grinder because its the grinders are cheap, easy and i LOVE fresh ground coffee.

Verm can be a pain to find, but keep looking... it took me about a week to find a local store that had it after I moved, wheras everyone had perlite.

One thing I didn't see you mention was a pressure cooker. Do you have one or have access to one?

Also, I've used organic rice and cheap ass brown rice and found no difference... so its your preference.

Syringes can be bought from one of the big 'Smart' or "Co" pet stores.... look in the horse section... they are cheap and re-usable and you can buy the actual needle tips separate. It will make things alot easier on you to use them, as you will be innoculating jars, you'll want to be able to stick the needle tip halfway down the jar without opening it.

Good Luck!!

I just order some Verm, "8 Qts of Premium Medium Grade Vermiculite" For 12$ shipped. It was the best i could find.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3AIT&viewitem=
I have a pressure cooker, but the release valve is missing. Will that be ok or do I need to get another?
On the rice part, i figured Id better not skimp on it. If all goes smoothly, Next choice is horse poo.
Thanks, you just solved a big issue that was really bothering me, I couldnt figure out how I was going to innoculate without a syringe, if I can get them at petco, 9times outta 10 the farm store has em. Good lookin out!!

This site is an awesome source of info, I was never really a fan of forums/archives, but you guys/gals are great! Cant wait to learn more..

-Jaspmf-- They are regular mouth 1/2 pints, but there isnt any type of shoulder or lip, smooth sailing all the way down, i made sure and took note of that before leaving wal-mart..

[Jaspmf]

K just making sure

As for the pressure cooker... if the cooker can't relieve itself of pressure it'll potentially explode...so best get a new one. My 2 cents

Safety 1st!

[johnnydigital]

Do you mean the little giggly thing that rocks when your pressure cooking?? I dont see how a release valve could be missing... if that is the case and you dont have a giggly thing (i think they're called petcock's or something like that) try checking out a True Value or ACE hardware store... they usualy have spare parts for pressure cookers. If you still can't find one, I have 3 extra ones from various old PC's that I've had over the years... I'd be willing to part with one if that's in fact what you need. Good Luck!!

[smokinjoe]

Originally Posted by johnnydigital

Do you mean the little giggly thing that rocks when your pressure cooking?? I dont see how a release valve could be missing... if that is the case and you dont have a giggly thing (i think they're called petcock's or something like that) try checking out a True Value or ACE hardware store... they usualy have spare parts for pressure cookers. If you still can't find one, I have 3 extra ones from various old PC's that I've had over the years... I'd be willing to part with one if that's in fact what you need. Good Luck!!

Yeah thats the piece im talkin about, Ill check out The harware store today and see if they have anything ill get it, if not Ill let u know..
Thanks

[johnnydigital]

OK Cool... then just send me a PM once you figure it out and let me know the size / model of your pressure cooker and I'll see if I can help. I've got various size gigglers.

[smokinjoe]

Alright, I got my coffee grinder and ground up the rice. Does it have to be in Powder form?? mine is more of a thick salt. If i need to i can run it through the grinder again.

I also went by the farm supply store and got the syringes(12ML plungers-1.5in 16G needles) like $3, thanks Jaspmf!!

Is it a good idea to use rubbing alcohol on a micro fiber towl to clean the inside of my glovebox? Ill also be using the glovebox as my fruiting chamber.

I cant seem to find the lid for my PC, I was thinking of using the 90min steam-boil technique if I cant find my lid, Ive seen mostly good comments about it. I was thinkin of sterilizing for about 2 hours-sit for 36-48 hours, knock up, and pray.

[The Truth.]

Can that miracle-gro perlite be used? Added chems cool?

[smokinjoe]

Someone please correct me if Im wrong, I read that it was a pretty good idea to put perlite in the corners of the fruiting chamer to absorb drainage and make it easier to remove the access water from the bottom by just changing out the perlite.

[The Truth.]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe

Someone please correct me if Im wrong, I read that it was a pretty good idea to put perlite in the corners of the fruiting chamer to absorb drainage and make it easier to remove the access water from the bottom by just changing out the perlite.

I agree, it is. But that brand, with additives? I honestly would like to know.

[johnnydigital]

Someone please correct me if Im wrong, I read that it was a pretty good idea to put Perlite in the corners of the fruiting chamer to absorb drainage and make it easier to remove the access water from the bottom by just changing out the perlite.

You want to use damp perlite across the bottom of your fruiting chamber for humidity... depending on the size of your fruting chamber, usually an inch or two deep... not much else that I've heard you can use it for. It will sort of collect the water that drips down the sides of your chamber, but I wouldn't put any 'dry' perlite in there.

I use the exact same Perlite for humidity and have zero problems... its not infused with any chems, just straight up perlite sold under the Miracle Grow brand name. Good Luck!!!

[The Truth.]

Originally Posted by johnnydigital

You want to use damp perlite across the bottom of your fruiting chamber for humidity... depending on the size of your fruting chamber, usually an inch or two deep... not much else that I've heard you can use it for. It will sort of collect the water that drips down the sides of your chamber, but I wouldn't put any 'dry' perlite in there.

I use the exact same Perlite for humidity and have zero problems... its not infused with any chems, just straight up perlite sold under the Miracle Grow brand name. Good Luck!!!

Actually it says right on the front, "enriched with miracle grow..."
But if you say thats cool than I guess it works. I was just concerned about unnecessary chems.

[killaweed]

I GOT MY VERM FROM WALLY WORLD AND MY SYRINGES FROM MENARDS NOT SPENDY AT ALL

[BBlack]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe

Alright, I got my coffee grinder and ground up the rice. Does it have to be in Powder form?? mine is more of a thick salt. If i need to i can run it through the grinder again.

I also went by the farm supply store and got the syringes(12ML plungers-1.5in 16G needles) like $3, thanks Jaspmf!!

Is it a good idea to use rubbing alcohol on a micro fiber towl to clean the inside of my glovebox? Ill also be using the glovebox as my fruiting chamber.

I cant seem to find the lid for my PC, I was thinking of using the 90min steam-boil technique if I cant find my lid, Ive seen mostly good comments about it. I was thinkin of sterilizing for about 2 hours-sit for 36-48 hours, knock up, and pray.

You do know that if you get a syringe, you still have to put the spores into it off the print, right? You need to be really sterile when doing that..you can innoculate with just the print though. It seems like you're still a little shaky on the whole process. You should definitely learn more about it, and get familiar with all the terms.

You'll be much happier taking your time and making sure you know exactly what you're doing rather than getting started right away with shaky knowledge of everything.

EDIT: This video really helped me: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...ient=firefox-a

[johnnydigital]

Actually it says right on the front, "enriched with miracle grow..."
But if you say thats cool than I guess it works. I was just concerned about unnecessary chems.

Yep, you are correct, I just looked at my bag and thats what mine says, "infused with Miracle Grow".... I guess I missed it because that writing is very small. However, since the perlite is just used to provide humidity, there's no Miracle Grow getting into the mushies. And I have used it without incident.

Alright, I got my coffee grinder and ground up the rice. Does it have to be in Powder form?? mine is more of a thick salt. If i need to i can run it through the grinder again.

A 'thick salt' isn't really what you want... more like a fine salt is acceptable... doesn't have to be completely powdered.

[Soliver]

Find the lid to that PC! Don't get into a rush and cut corners, or you'll waste time and
materials... I'd say a PC is the numero uno item you must have... you can chance it
with a boil, but it's one helluva chance, IME...

Your BRF should look more like flour than sand... back to the grindstone there too.

The treated perlite will work fine, as it's not touching your cakes, ideally...



soliver

[johnnydigital]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

The PF Tek booklet lays out the process and all the different variables involved very simply.
Save this and reference is often. The method is tried and true... if you follow the steps you will succeed.

http://forums.mycotopia.net/cakes-br...on-pf-tek.html (MYCOTOPIA's version of the PF TEK)


Good Luck!!!!!!!

[The Truth.]

Originally Posted by BBlack

This video really helped me: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3286686859329905674&ei=tMoMSs7VGJj 2qAPLz9nyCw&q=mushroom+growing+made+easy&hl=en&cli ent=firefox-a

Great video fur beginners.

[Jaspmf]

Originally Posted by Soliver

Find the lid to that PC! Don't get into a rush and cut corners, or you'll waste time and
materials... I'd say a PC is the numero uno item you must have... you can chance it
with a boil, but it's one helluva chance, IME...

I'm new to the forum's so please don't take my interjection the wrong way or anything...

I used the boiling method to do 24 1/2pint PFstyle BRF jars and didn't have a single contam...
I compressed my substrate really tight in the jars aswell -which would make them even more likely to harbor contams through sterilization

So in all honesty if you do a proper job, you should be just fine using BRF and sterilizing that way. Just gotta be sure to have the aluminum foil tight, the water not splashing way up to the top, and the holes already in the lids are a MUST (otherwise bacteria grow like mad during cooldown)

From what I've read things like WBS and rye and stuff absolutely have to be pressure cooked to sterilize, which fortunately isn't the case with BRF

[smokinjoe]

Good News- My sister n law just bought a new PC, lucky me- I can use it whenever I need
This morning I got my glove box in order, a fair grow chamber setup and Reground my rice.
Now while im waiting for my verm and prints, im going to clean out my extra closet and try to make it my "sterile" area.

[johnnydigital]

Sweet!!! The Pressure Cooker is definitely a great investment. While Jaspmf is totally correct that there are other methods/procedures that can be done to sterilize jars for innoculations, the tried and true method which will probably give you the best chance to succeed is to Pressure Cook the packed jars. Best of Luck to You!!!!

[smokinjoe]

Verm came yesterday, Going to pick up a PC i found on craigslist for $20 in good condition. My sterile area is in order too.

For my prints--when i get them, what would be the easiest container to scrape the spores into to draw back up with the syringe?
I was thinking a small plastic salt shaker type bottle but a half can instead of a tall shaker.

[Jaspmf]

Just put em in a ziploc baggie, if they aren't already in something of the like already...
put some sterile h20 in there and draw it out w/ the sterile syringe.

[smokinjoe]

So I went to pick up my $20 pressure cooker today, when I got there she showed the pressure cooker NEW IN THE BOX proffesional grade, the lady told me she'd take $15 if I took the Mason Jars too. lol, well hell yeah! But I got more than expected, She gave me 3 boxes of jars and lids. anybody need some jars? Ill let u have em for the shipping price.

[hyphaenation]

Holy dude you got a hell of a deal. $200 here plus tax in the hardware store .. same model.

Your off to the races. Read up on operation , ask questions if need be and enjoy your maiden voyage ! Blessings on your jars.

[smokinjoe]

Sorry guys Ive been really busy so I havent been posting. and In my free time Ive pretty much spent with my PC lol. So I knocked up 6 BRF Jars and 2 weeks later there still wasnt anything going on so I tossed em and started over. heres whats goin on now.
5-26 3 1/2pint BRF Jars of Pink Buffalo
5-28 3 pint BRF jars of PB
5-31 5 pint BRF jars of Burma
That was when I ran out of Verm





So on 6-6 my PC was sayin my name, I went throught the cabinets looking for my next substate canidate. What I found was a bag of Theatre Popcorn, box of Dirty Rice, and I went to the shed and grabbed some rye grass seed(i know its not the rye everyone raves about but I figure why not give it a try too while im experimenting). I knock'd em all up with Burma in 1/2 pint jars.




Next up is my Fruiting chamber, Im going to put my 3 1/2 pint jars of PB in when they are 100% colinized, after reading a bit, i really dont want to wait 5-7 days after colinization to put them into the FC. Im just going to put the cakes on the lids with this bunch and no casing. Im using a 35 gal sterilite tub with wet perlite, ill be misting and fanning by hand, and using a "energy saver" light bulb as my light source 12 on 12 off. If I have a problem keeping the RH high enough Ill use a heating pad under the tub.

Doing things like this about how long does it usually take for pins to pop up?
Do I need to bleach my FC?
Why does the perlite need a dry layer, after misting 2-3 times it will be wet too right?
Is there anything I can do to make them fruit faster?

Thanks in advance for all the help and sorry Ive been slackin on the posts as you can see ive been working hard on my projects though.

[smokinjoe]

Oh yeah I forgot, On the theatre popcorn I strained it with in hot running water for about 20mins to remove butter. the boiled for until i could bite through it. Ive been shaking it every night since the outside was fully colinized in 3 days
I cooked the dirty rice and the strained it with hot water to remove the flavoring and let it drain for 20mins.
I soaked the Rye Grass Seed in hot water for 45 mins and drained for 10(more water since it has less mass to hold moisture).

all where thrown in the PC for 90mins at 15psi and like always I let the PC cool over night rather than turning the "gradual" pressure relase valve.
I knock'd them up with Burma without a glovebox in my closet, like i said before these jars are projects and I belive that my area is completely sterile with bleach spray and apparently im not off too much because everything is running smoothly.