Some growth in a Few jars finally and a LC

[Shroobie]

Just saying what's up and giving a heads up.
Well I'm finally seeing some growth in a few jars, well mainly two.
I insulated my Tote with what I had around the house and now place a big jug of very hot tap water in it. I swap the bottle out probably 3 times a day.
I ordered a 100W submersible heater and a outdoor thermometer, so I don't have to open tubs to check on temp and I don't have to switch out jugs (which doesn't bother me and it's safer really, but it's already ordered) everyday.

My setup is a big tote with some Styrofoam peanuts on bottom with a smaller tote inside with peanuts stuffed around it. I also keep a towel on top of smaller tote.
Since I've done this, which was 4 days ago, The temps in there stay mid 80's and I've started to see growth in mainly 2 jars.
I also tried making 2 LC's (5 days ago), one with 1 ML of MS of GT and one with a little scrape of a SP of oak-ridge.
The Oak-Ridge definitely has some Myc growing in it, the GT nothing really.
I did the Microwave/Tupperware LC with about 118ML of distilled water and 1 tsp of imitation Karo Micro'd for 5 mins.

The picture of the LC you can see the black spores of the SP and the myc is all around them.

I didn't think the Mid 70's temp would hurt/bother them that much, but they definitely like it in the Mid 80's alot better.
I'm just happy I'm finally seeing something in a couple jars and happy with the LC of the OR/SP

*EDIT* oh yeah I bought 20 12ML syringes with 16g 1" needles for .19 each. Not sure if that's a deal or if the needle would be long enough, but figured I'd mention. Figured I would needle them for LC and an airport.

[MLBjammer]

Your incubator setup looks good. If you can keep it around 78-80 F for grain jars, that is perfect IME.

The needles you ordered are a little short. I think 1.5" is about standard. They will work on grain jars just fine, but if you do BRF jars, it would benefit you to get longer needles.

Good luck.

[eastwood]

Honestly i wouldn't trust that lc myself but i havn't worked with microwaved lc.If you have a pc to do your wbs why not use the pc to do the lc?

Its always best to use a jar for lc imo . Airport syringes are proven to be a good addition to any lc research being conducted.I dont see the top of the tupperware container so not sure.

gluck man an keep us updated.

Looks like you know whats going on tho so hopefully itll be ok.

[Shroobie]

Cool thanks.
Yeah the incubator seems to work well for me.
I figured the needles might be short, but I had a hell of a time trying to find just needles. I found those syringes w/ needles for cheap so I just went with it.

I've seen others use tupperware for LC, so I figured it'd be ok. I bought a package of 8 for a little over 2 dollars. I might go out and buy some half pint jars for next time. A store around me just put their pint jars on sale for a little over $5.

I was actually surprised the Spore Print was showing growth and not the MS.

Thank you for the positive feedback and replies. Definitely lifts the spirits when doing this for the first time.

[MLBjammer]

You won't read too many negative posts around here--not for long anyway. We want everybody to excel in this hobby. As far as the plastic containers go, I have not used them. Most folks who use the microwave LC method buy plastic one-piece lids for the glass jars and--just from my readings--microwave on high for 5 minutes.

You should certainly make yourself some lids with silicone injection ports and an airport syringe. It is well worth the ten minutes of work, and it guarantees clean LCs unless your syringe is dirty.

If you have a Tractor Supply anywhere in your vicinity, they sell syringes and needles with no hassles.

Peace.

[freedum]

Just recently I did my first LC and didn't have an extra 10CC syringe to make an airport. instead i went to the pharmacy and bought a pack of insulin syringes. they made great small airport syringes, not to mention there cheap and disposable. I think i payd 2.29 for a pack of 10. they dont equalize the pressure as quickly. but they do the trick.

[Shroobie]

Well I went to a the local farm store that had the half-pint jars on sale and they were all sold out.
So I went and looked in the horse isle and they had needles (18g) and syringes, but all the syringes and needles I have a luer-lock (sp?) and the ones they had were not.

Could I just use the 1 1/2" needles that came with my MS syringes as long as I boil them after?

They also had a 3 pack 1" stainless steel magnets for $7. But I'd probably look into making my own stirrers.

I ended up buying a bag of Poly-Fill while I was out though.
I need to look around for some half-pints and those plastic lids. I looked at WM but they didn't have anymore and the guy said their jars and lids were seasonal.

[MLBjammer]

If you are just doing grain, the 1" needles should work fine. You can reuse a syringe/needle/cap by PCing for 25 minutes at 15 PSI or boiling for 30 minutes in a big pot.

[Shroobie]

Cool thanks for that MLB.
The Myc seems to be growing kinda slow though. Not sure if it's from the Temp. or not enough fresh air in jars, or what.
I added a Fan to my tub cause I thought you or someone said it'd help eliminate hot spots.
I'm just using an old PC fan and a DC adapter. Not sure how you guys do it but I didn't want to ruin the adapter so I just shoved the pos. lead of Fan into center of adapter and taped then took neg. lead and wrapped around outer part then taped, works great so far, wish I had some heat shrink tubing.
Also ended up buying some half pints for new LC's. I just poked small holes in lid and RTV'd the bottom of lid (that way I could see the hole since the RTV I have is red).
I've already inserted a needle in each hole a few times just to make sure it won't leak afterwards.
I'm looking into building a magnetic stirrer.
I've seen many posts on how to build your own with a computer fan, but what gets me is why people keep the fins on the fan. Keeping the fins on will just created extra resistance and will burn out the motor alittle faster.
So I clipped all the fins off the fan I will be using. I just need to find something to mount it in. I have a few ideas and I'm trying to build it with what I have around the house.

[Shroobie]

Well some of my jars are showing decent signs.
Some are slow starters it seems and some are showing nothing.
Honestly I'm happy I even was able to get something.
The jars are on day 21 after inoculation from MS syringe of GT.

My LC's aren't doing as well. The one from the print doesn't seem to be growing anymore Myc.
The LC that I used a MS on is looking odd I guess. There were no signs of anything growing in it, but I looked today and there was some dark/brown stuff (not sure what it is) floating in it. Is that bad? Should I get rid of it?

I also added a couple pictures of the Heatbomb I made. Made it from a giant pickle jar. I sealed it with RTV and have it laying on its side on a piece of paper so I can see if it leaks. I figured if it hasn't leaked by tomorrow, it probably won't. I figured I'd have to lay the jar down since it has air in it. I can't tell if the water goes up the the min. water line.
Just felt better/safer using a glass container with a metal lid.

I was wondering though. Should I wait to shake up the first 2 jars that have quite a bit of myc. growth in them or are they safe to shake?

First 2 pictures are from my jars that are showing the best growth.
The 3rd picture is a jar that didn't show any signs at all until day 14.
4th picture is of the LC that has the brown nasty in it and last 2 are of HB of course.

[P4ulada]

Good job bro, nice myc you have there...what strain is this? =]

[marmy]

Shroobie, I like your heatbomb

[door#6]

nice

[masterplain88]

i have my fan atached to my heat bomb via rtv silicone so its all one unit.
masterplain88

[MLBjammer]

I would shake the jars with significant growth. It will redistribute the mycelium, and--if clean--the jars should recover in 24 hours and colonize faster.

As far as the LC, brown crap is not good. It should grow white, fluffy mycelium.

[copelandiaKidd]

keep us updated. im subscribed!!!!! G'luck on the rest of the project

[Shroobie]

P4ulada - It's Golden Teacher

marmy - Thanks, let's just hope it works.

door#6 - Thanks.

masterplain88 - That's a good idea. I might do that if I can stand my jar up (which it is now, but just to test and see if it'll heat up, if all goes well I'll keep it like that).

MLBjammer - I shook the shit out of the 2 and threw the dirty LC out.

copelandiaKidd - Will do and thank you.


Well I moved my jars to the bigger tub and placed my HB in it (standing up, hope it'll be ok).
I lined the inside of the Tub ghetto style with cardboard. Figured that'd be good insulator and it will keep the light out.
Added a picture of my new Ghettobator. Now I just have to wait for my outdoor therm. to get here.

[Shroobie]

Well here's my update.
My 2 Jars I shook up are looking good. My #5 jar is looking the best and has always had the fastest growth it seemed (Should I use that jar for G2G?) . Jar #2 is looking really good also.
I ended up shaking Jar #6 Sat. I believe and it's starting to look good.

I made another LC today with the last CC of Golden Teacher.
I did a 150ml Distilled water, 1 tsp Karo Imitation and .4g of Extra Light Malt Extract solution. So the picture I've enclosed still has little malt floaties (hope that doesn't hurt) in it; I also threw in a aquarium glass rock to help stir.
With that, I bought a pound of Pilsen Light Malt Extract and I am never going to use that. Would anyone be interested in trading 350grams of Pilsen Light DME for a print? Honestly I don't know if that's a good deal or not, I'm just not going to need all that and figured I'd ask.

The WBS jar pictures are from Sunday so they're definitely looking better today. The LC jar is just from eariler. My Ghettobator stays almost at a constant 80-82°F.

[Shroobie]

Well I'm updating this for myself personally.
Received my outdoor thermometer, so I rigged that up to my incubator.
LC i made of GT went bad, so I'm out of my GT MS and that sucks (here's to hoping my WBS jars do good). I think I used too much LME, the LC was dirty and foggy looking.
Out of my 8 jars I started, 6 of them are showing signs, 2 show nothing.

Jar #1
Took awhile but showing decent growth now
Jar #3
Just started showing signs a few days ago.

Jar #2 (Shook 14 days ago, Pictures 1-2) [2 pictures for each to show each side]
Coming along nicely and still has decent growth.

Jar #5 (Shook 14 days ago, Pictures 3-4)
Was my best, but seems to have slowed down, maybe it's just colonizing the center more so not as noticeable change on the outer part in past 2-3 days.

Jar #6 (Shook 11 days ago, Pictures 5-6)
Making a decent recovery from shake with steady growth.

Jar #8 (Shook 7 days ago, Pictures 7-8)
Seems to be recovering pretty fast, seems the myc. was distributed better from shake then #6 and possibly #2.

A little unsure of what I'm going to do about substrate as I planned on just using a smaller tub for all the jars, but with the jars colonizing at different rates I guess I'll have to use small Tupperware bowls and then place them inside tub.
It's become alot more exciting since my Jar #5 has become close to full colonization, but scary since it slowed down lately.
Going to try and make a couple LC's tomorrow with my Red-Oak print.
Would like to start getting more jars ready soon, maybe try BRF or Corn?
We'll see.

[Sidestreet Getaway]

You're getting there, slowly but surely. Keep on truckin'.

Are you planning on spawning those jars to a bulk substrate?

Maybe you'll have better luck with brown rice & vermiculite: the pf tek. On the other hand, if you get grains and bulk substrates down you'll be in good shape...

Good luck

[P4ulada]

All doing well

[BuckarooBanzai]

I could be wrong, but I think maybe your WBS was a little too wet to start with. That can slow stuff down.

Nothing looks unhealthy, though.

You could take the finished jars and put them in the fridge until the other jars catch up. Don't let them freeze and shield them from light.

3-4 weeks in the fridge will be no problem at all.

[Shroobie]

SG - I do plan on doing bulk substrate; A Coir/Verm mix.

BB - I would like to put them in the fridge to slow them down, but I can't. So that's why I'm thinking I'm going to have to just do separate smaller containers.

Tried my luck making 2 more LC's today.
One of them I used some of the Myc (Oak-Ridge) I had from my first LC in the little tupperware (so I can discard the tupperware LC).
Other I used a CC or so of my Pan. Cyan. MS syringe.
The first jar had a good vacuum and sucked the LC right in.
The 2nd with the Pan. didn't have that vacuum, so that has me wondering/worried.

[ashroom]

im doing wbs very soon. how can you tell when moisture is ok? is it just by trial and error? or is there another way? i have some soaking now for 24 hours.

Originally Posted by ;789058

I could be wrong, but I think maybe your WBS was a little too wet to start with. That can slow stuff down.

Nothing looks unhealthy, though.

You could take the finished jars and put them in the fridge until the other jars catch up. Don't let them freeze and shield them from light.

3-4 weeks in the fridge will be no problem at all.

[Shroobie]

Well I heard that if you grab a handful of your WBS and dump it, it should leave hardly any WBS on your hand. When I tried that I had a good 20-30 seeds stuck to my hand.
One thing I should have done was stir the WBS more to help air it out. The WBS close to the bottom was still a bit wet it seemed.
I also heard to Stir the WBS up right before you jar it up to help disperse whatever excess water/moisture around the remaining WBS you have.

But I'm sure someone with more knowledge could give you a more definite answer.

[BuckarooBanzai]

Properly hydrated grain shouldn't feel or look wet (wet WBS sticks to your hand).

[MLBjammer]

Originally Posted by ashroom

im doing wbs very soon. how can you tell when moisture is ok? is it just by trial and error? or is there another way? i have some soaking now for 24 hours.

I do not work with WBS, but this tek is supposed to be one of the best, and Lazlo is a very wise grower:
http://forums.mycotopia.net/wild-bir...technique.html (Super fast and effective wbs/grain technique.)

I hope that helps.

[Shroobie]

My #5 jar seems like it's stalled or something. Actually My #2 does also.
Also not sure if #5 is contaminated. Looks like it's the beginning of spider-trich (is that right?) or I might just paranoid because they seemed to have stopped growing.
Here's a picture with 2 spots I'm unsure about circled.

Think my LC jars are bad too. One of them is showing signs of growth, but it's starting to get alittle hazy in there. The other is still clear, but no growth and some LME floaties, floating around.

I'm just not having any luck my first time around. Trying to be sterile and following teks, but I'm obviously doing something wrong.

[Sidestreet Getaway]

Both haziness and no growth in LCs are toss-able offenses in my book/experience. Get a second opinion though. Whatever happens, never fear and keep pushing on, things get much better over time if you keep striving!

I applaud your effort.

edit: those spots you circled in your picture look OK to me.

[Shroobie]

DAY 49
Should they really be taking this long?

Well I'd say my jar 2 & 5 have stalled.
No growth since atleast 10-28, both have tops left to cover.
What should I do?
Others seem to be doing alright but I'm assuming they are going to
stall out too.
My Pan Cyan LC that didn't show any growth actually has some Myc in it, but there's some LME floaties stuck in it, it seems.
My Oak-Ridge LC got a little hazy but not much growth.

Pictures are of (just so you guys can see nothing has happened)
(2) #5
(2) #2
(2) PanCyanLC


*edit* Well after actually looking at the past pictures, it does seem to have gotten more Myc, well thicker, just not the top.
Think I'll do BRF Cakes next time.