bulk spawning question

hungryhippo999 · 10-12-09, 09:03

FOAF has no experience with spawning and is curious about something he is reading about. When he reads teks on bulk spawning he noticed a few times in these teks people have mixed spawn at a 1:3 ratio throughout the bulk, but then leave about a 10% layer of un-mixed substrate on top! Is this correct? FOAF thought if anything you would leave a layer of spawn on top to seal out and ward off contams. So the opposite is true? Is this because its a grain on the surface? How would that matter if the grain is 100% colonized at time of spawning. FOAF spawn will be BRF cakes if it makes a difference. He just wanted to clarify. Thanks

MLBjammer · 10-12-09, 09:59

Some growers layer their spawn/substrate, while others just mix it up thoroughly. When using grain as spawn, it is not a bad idea to cover any exposed grain with a little extra spawn. Exposed grain (even colonized grain is susceptible when it's freshly spawned) is an ideal way for contamination to invade. Since you are using cakes, it is not so crucial. Just mix it really well. You can still add a thin layer of bulk if you want, but I have not seen any problems not doing this.

Indonesia · 10-12-09, 10:02

good question. the higher spawn ratio used the faster colonization will be leading to less chance of contamination and also using more spawn can give higher yields. foaf thinks it does seal out and ward off contams but then the top layer isn't in the best condition for pins unless bulk is cased. foaf thinks the layer of spawn on top is a good thing IF you case your bulks, otw it is best to do the layer of unmixed on top or just mix all the spawn and substrate together. When foaf does unmixed on top, the mycelium tends to grow more rhizomorphic and looks healthier than topspawning. If the mycelium grows uneven upwards through that top layer of substrate, you can always save spawn to sprinkle on top in spots (like patching a casing)to even out the growth and get top of the substrate to 100 percent colonization quicker than just waiting.

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10-12-09, 09:03	#1 (permalink)
hungryhippo999 Mycophage Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 120	bulk spawning question FOAF has no experience with spawning and is curious about something he is reading about. When he reads teks on bulk spawning he noticed a few times in these teks people have mixed spawn at a 1:3 ratio throughout the bulk, but then leave about a 10% layer of un-mixed substrate on top! Is this correct? FOAF thought if anything you would leave a layer of spawn on top to seal out and ward off contams. So the opposite is true? Is this because its a grain on the surface? How would that matter if the grain is 100% colonized at time of spawning. FOAF spawn will be BRF cakes if it makes a difference. He just wanted to clarify. Thanks

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10-12-09, 09:59	#2 (permalink)
MLBjammer Addicted to Invitro Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,864	Some growers layer their spawn/substrate, while others just mix it up thoroughly. When using grain as spawn, it is not a bad idea to cover any exposed grain with a little extra spawn. Exposed grain (even colonized grain is susceptible when it's freshly spawned) is an ideal way for contamination to invade. Since you are using cakes, it is not so crucial. Just mix it really well. You can still add a thin layer of bulk if you want, but I have not seen any problems not doing this.

10-12-09, 10:02	#3 (permalink)
Indonesia Mycotopiate Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 217	good question. the higher spawn ratio used the faster colonization will be leading to less chance of contamination and also using more spawn can give higher yields. foaf thinks it does seal out and ward off contams but then the top layer isn't in the best condition for pins unless bulk is cased. foaf thinks the layer of spawn on top is a good thing IF you case your bulks, otw it is best to do the layer of unmixed on top or just mix all the spawn and substrate together. When foaf does unmixed on top, the mycelium tends to grow more rhizomorphic and looks healthier than topspawning. If the mycelium grows uneven upwards through that top layer of substrate, you can always save spawn to sprinkle on top in spots (like patching a casing)to even out the growth and get top of the substrate to 100 percent colonization quicker than just waiting.