Coir Question

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 16:50

SWIM just picked up a triple pack of Compressed Coconut Fiber from his local Pet Store.

He has never used coir before, but he is very excited to try it out.

He Is not sure how the strain he is growing is going to react to the coir. He has heard that some strains will not spawn to coir.

He was originally going to make a MonoTub filled with a 100% coir substrate 4" up the tub.
But for right now hes just going to make a 100% coir substrate in a tray, as opposed to using the whole bottom of the Monotub. This way he will know how his Strain is going to react with the Coir, before going for bulk.

My FOAF is wondering would it br better to put a layer of Spawn between two layers of coir (like a sandwich) to make his test substrate.

Or...

To take a 1:1 coir to spawn ratio and mix it all up together???

Also....

He was wondering what is the best way to steralize his coir. He is still very unclear about the difference between pasturazation and Pc'ing.
He does not own a pressure cooker either.

From what i gather about this FOAF, is that he steam sterilizes everything and hasnt had a problem with any of his grain jars.
So he is wondering if he could fill his Mason Jars with the coir, and boil them for the purpose of sterilization. If this is possible how long should he boil? If not are there any alteranatives??

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 17:15

http://forums.mycotopia.net/coir-pea...-coir-use.html (Preparing Coir for use)

Coughing_Anon · 06-15-09, 17:16

Won't you need some nutrients in the sub?
Perhaps manure or spent coffee grounds (free from Starfux) would help.
No clue on the ratio needed, tho.

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 17:22

any grain spawn or even brf / supercake would supply enough nutes.
the coir holds the moisture

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 17:30

Thanks Hippie3

So there is not need for pasturazation after all?

well thats easy enough. I didnt know the boiling water poured over it would suffice for sterilization.

Ill be sure to let my FOAF know so he can get started do whatever it is he does

-Cheers

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiling Turtle

Thanks Hippie3

So there is not need for pasturazation after all?

well thats easy enough. I didnt know the boiling water poured over it would suffice for sterilization.

Ill be sure to let my FOAF know so he can get started to do, whatever it is he does

-Cheers

Golden Teacher · 06-15-09, 17:33

IME and IMO, it would be best for you to MIX your spawn and substrate up as evenly as you can get it. Some choose to layer.

I have tried both and think it is little faster to mix them together, just my opinion though. Others here like to layer.

The faster you can get your mycelium to develop and connect throughout the sub, the less issues you will encounter with contams. Once the substrate is mostly white it is harder for contams to take a hold.

Good luck,

GT

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 17:35

mixing's better
but ONLY IF you case it.
exposed grain on top will contam.

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 17:36

thanks GT

I think ill advise my FOAF to try two trays both ways, and see how that works out for him.

oh and i dont think he plans on doing a casing either Hippie3 because he cannot find any vermiculite in his area at this current moment. And he feels that ordering it online is the equivalent of signing oneself up for rape. So hes chooseing to wait it out at this current moment, untill he can find some locally.

johnnydigital · 06-15-09, 17:39

Spent coffee grounds can help to raise the N level in the coir... which makes it a little heartier.

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 17:44

coffee also molds quickly
just leave some grounds out a few days and see...

johnnydigital · 06-15-09, 17:49

hehe oh I have done that, no doubt.

is diluted coffee itself a better substitute for grounds?

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 17:57

if you want extra N use worm castings or manure

johnnydigital · 06-15-09, 18:01

Gotcha.
Sweet, then I can cut them out and quit saving them then cuz me uses castings. Thanks for the tip. I dunno why I listen to what certain people tell me sometimes...

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 18:05

toss 'em in the compost pile if you have one...

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 18:07

[#QUOTE]if you want extra N use worm castings or manure[#QUOTE]

I actually remember finding an add on craigslist made by a guy who owns Horses saying he has TONS of horse Poo hes looking to get rid of.

Thanks for reminding me!!! I have to tell my FOAF!!!

He said he would deliver it right too you 10-30 yards at a time. I have to go back online and find that post for my Friend!
Is that alot? 10-30 yards.

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 18:08

yeah, it's cubic yards, alot.

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 18:15

ok so apparently its this craigslist guy whos full of shit.
He makes a listing in the "free" category
But when you go call him up he wants 50$ for delivery of the goods.

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 18:25

gas ain't free

Golden Teacher · 06-15-09, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiling Turtle

ok so apparently its this craigslist guy whos full of shit.
He makes a listing in the "free" category
But when you go call him up he wants 50$ for delivery of the goods.

$50 bucks for that amount of shit BROUGHT to you aint a bad deal.

Think of it, no trespassing, no horse shit on you, no insect bites.

That much shit will turn into more shrooms than you will know what to do with. IMO, very much worth it.

BUT, do you have a compost pile that can handle over a hundred pounds of shit?

Also, not to disagree with you Hip, but I never case and I always mix my substrate. I get two to three flushes everytime with no contam issues. I toss them out and haven't had contams in years. Maybe I am an exception. I dunno? Try both and see what works for you Turtle.

Good luck,

GT

~Hippie3 · 06-15-09, 20:42

2 or 3 flushes ain't no big thing
when casings typically can give 5-6.

Golden Teacher · 06-15-09, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hippie3

2 or 3 flushes ain't no big thing
when casings typically can give 5-6.

That makes sense. I usually just have more tubs ready to fruit. I like two or three hefty flushes then I just put that substrate outside and put a fresh tub in the fruiting area.

I might need to give casing another chance. Patience is key with this hobby and sometimes I find myself just wanting to get a few good flushes and then moving on to the next project.

GT

Smiling Turtle · 06-15-09, 22:23

you right GT maybe 50$ for a couple hundred pounds of shit isnt such a bad bet.

But knowing my FOAF....

I can safely say that he would just want to borrow the money from me..

And im broke right now

Scratch · 06-16-09, 05:07

1 cubic yards = 201.974026 US gallons

30 cu yd of shit might be hard to explain to the neighbors.

Smiling Turtle · 06-16-09, 10:28

Twister · 06-16-09, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

1 cubic yards = 201.974026 US gallons

30 cu yd of shit might be hard to explain to the neighbors.

rags724 · 06-16-09, 14:02

I thought that shrooms like materials that are decomposing. Is it really a big deal if there is lots of nutrition in a substrate. I hope not cause I just mixed up a coir mono myself. It is my first coir project and I mixed the spawn in and then added a layer of staight coir on top to protect against contams.

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06-15-09, 16:50	#1 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217	Coir Question SWIM just picked up a triple pack of Compressed Coconut Fiber from his local Pet Store. He has never used coir before, but he is very excited to try it out. He Is not sure how the strain he is growing is going to react to the coir. He has heard that some strains will not spawn to coir. He was originally going to make a MonoTub filled with a 100% coir substrate 4" up the tub. But for right now hes just going to make a 100% coir substrate in a tray, as opposed to using the whole bottom of the Monotub. This way he will know how his Strain is going to react with the Coir, before going for bulk. My FOAF is wondering would it br better to put a layer of Spawn between two layers of coir (like a sandwich) to make his test substrate. Or... To take a 1:1 coir to spawn ratio and mix it all up together??? Also.... He was wondering what is the best way to steralize his coir. He is still very unclear about the difference between pasturazation and Pc'ing. He does not own a pressure cooker either. From what i gather about this FOAF, is that he steam sterilizes everything and hasnt had a problem with any of his grain jars. So he is wondering if he could fill his Mason Jars with the coir, and boil them for the purpose of sterilization. If this is possible how long should he boil? If not are there any alteranatives??

06-15-09, 17:33	#7 (permalink)
Golden Teacher Forever Grateful Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 261	IME and IMO, it would be best for you to MIX your spawn and substrate up as evenly as you can get it. Some choose to layer. I have tried both and think it is little faster to mix them together, just my opinion though. Others here like to layer. The faster you can get your mycelium to develop and connect throughout the sub, the less issues you will encounter with contams. Once the substrate is mostly white it is harder for contams to take a hold. Good luck, GT __________________ Embrace this moment. Remember; we are eternal, all this pain is an illusion. ~ TOOL

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06-15-09, 17:15	#2 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	http://forums.mycotopia.net/coir-pea...-coir-use.html (Preparing Coir for use)

06-15-09, 17:16	#3 (permalink)
Coughing_Anon Mycophage Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 254	Won't you need some nutrients in the sub? Perhaps manure or spent coffee grounds (free from Starfux) would help. No clue on the ratio needed, tho.

06-15-09, 17:22	#4 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	any grain spawn or even brf / supercake would supply enough nutes. the coir holds the moisture

06-15-09, 17:30	#5 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217	Thanks Hippie3 So there is not need for pasturazation after all? well thats easy enough. I didnt know the boiling water poured over it would suffice for sterilization. Ill be sure to let my FOAF know so he can get started do whatever it is he does -Cheers

06-15-09, 17:35	#8 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	mixing's better but ONLY IF you case it. exposed grain on top will contam.

06-15-09, 17:36	#9 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217	thanks GT I think ill advise my FOAF to try two trays both ways, and see how that works out for him. oh and i dont think he plans on doing a casing either Hippie3 because he cannot find any vermiculite in his area at this current moment. And he feels that ordering it online is the equivalent of signing oneself up for rape. So hes chooseing to wait it out at this current moment, untill he can find some locally.

06-15-09, 17:39	#10 (permalink)
johnnydigital Former Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 713	Spent coffee grounds can help to raise the N level in the coir... which makes it a little heartier.

06-15-09, 17:44	#11 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	coffee also molds quickly just leave some grounds out a few days and see...

06-15-09, 17:49	#12 (permalink)
johnnydigital Former Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 713	hehe oh I have done that, no doubt. is diluted coffee itself a better substitute for grounds?

06-15-09, 17:57	#13 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	if you want extra N use worm castings or manure

06-15-09, 18:01	#14 (permalink)
johnnydigital Former Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 713	Gotcha. Sweet, then I can cut them out and quit saving them then cuz me uses castings. Thanks for the tip. I dunno why I listen to what certain people tell me sometimes...

06-15-09, 18:05	#15 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	toss 'em in the compost pile if you have one...

06-15-09, 18:07	#16 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217	[#QUOTE]if you want extra N use worm castings or manure[#QUOTE] I actually remember finding an add on craigslist made by a guy who owns Horses saying he has TONS of horse Poo hes looking to get rid of. Thanks for reminding me!!! I have to tell my FOAF!!! He said he would deliver it right too you 10-30 yards at a time. I have to go back online and find that post for my Friend! Is that alot? 10-30 yards.

06-15-09, 18:08	#17 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	yeah, it's cubic yards, alot.

06-15-09, 18:15	#18 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217	ok so apparently its this craigslist guy whos full of shit. He makes a listing in the "free" category But when you go call him up he wants 50$ for delivery of the goods.

06-15-09, 18:25	#19 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	gas ain't free

06-15-09, 20:42	#21 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,765	2 or 3 flushes ain't no big thing when casings typically can give 5-6.

06-15-09, 22:23	#23 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217	you right GT maybe 50$ for a couple hundred pounds of shit isnt such a bad bet. But knowing my FOAF.... I can safely say that he would just want to borrow the money from me.. And im broke right now

06-16-09, 05:07	#24 (permalink)
Scratch Stumbling thru the dark.. Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 413	1 cubic yards = 201.974026 US gallons 30 cu yd of shit might be hard to explain to the neighbors.

06-16-09, 10:28	#25 (permalink)
Smiling Turtle Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 217

06-16-09, 14:02	#27 (permalink)
rags724 Former Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 149	I thought that shrooms like materials that are decomposing. Is it really a big deal if there is lots of nutrition in a substrate. I hope not cause I just mixed up a coir mono myself. It is my first coir project and I mixed the spawn in and then added a layer of staight coir on top to protect against contams.