1st Spawning Tomorrow! Depth vs. Surface Area

hungryhippo999 · 10-29-09, 18:11

Hey fellow mycophiles! Tomorrow is the big day! 1st ever bulk spawn! FOAF was checking his FC and containers for subs. His question is it preferable to:

1. Have a 3 to 3 1/2" thick sub with a little less surface space? Or to have more surface area to fruit with a 2 1/2" substrate thickness? Or does it matter? He is trying to decide between 2 container types, 1 of which he would need to buy less for (bc he has it all) Either way results are what wanted so he can buy either....
2. Should he use powder free latex gloves to spawn and mix all this? Or is a good hand washing and lots of alcohol hand sanitizer and pre-misted lysol good enough? Just so u know FOAF NEVER uses gloves when making PF jars! Just sanitizer between steps and he has 100% success. So is onemethod prefered? He is putting a whole lot of eggs in this basket and wants optimum success rates! Thanks guys!!!

eatyualive · 10-29-09, 18:21

yes use powder free latex gloves. this is a matter of preference. i like 1'x2' size sub beds with about a 3" depth level. 4 quarts spawn. if the substrate will be too thin. then id recommend going with deeper sub with less surface area. or your fruits might be on the smaller size. if you get at least 3" sub depth with 4 quarts spawn you should get decent size fruits with no casing layer.

i have a tub now that has a bit smaller fruits than usual. its about 2.5" sub depth. less substrate and 3 quarts spawn. the flush looks decent but the fruits are on the smaller side.

this is the tub right here. usually i go about 3" depth. 4 quarts spawn.

http://forums.mycotopia.net/photo-ga...ultispore.html (Syzygy Multispore)

some people do spawn with their hands. i don't like doing that at all. in case i touch something. i would have to wash my hands a few times. i just like putting the gloves on prior to mixing the spawn and substrate. you can dump your sub in your tub. put the lid on. then spoon your spawn over that. then put gloves on and mix your spawn and substrate.

hungryhippo999 · 10-29-09, 19:17

Thanks bud! I have seen all your tubs/postings and kinda wonder if my FOAF should be doing it all in 1 giant tub instead of splitting it into 5 or 6 trays...

FOAF actually would like to know that if he is mixing all of this spawn/sub in a big rubbermaid and going to split it into 5 to 6 equal parts, once it is mixed in the rubbermaid with the gloves, where should it be spooned or hand loaded into the trays? Should this transfering from the giant mixing tub into the 6 smaller trays be done right inside the mixing container with the lid cracked? Then immediately press and sealed? Thanks. Sorry if these questions keep coming but this is his very first attempt and he is a bit nervous... peace!

BuckarooBanzai · 10-29-09, 19:29

When you are first starting to figure this stuff out, I think a number of smaller containers is a much better choice than one big tub. If one big tub contaminates - especially your first tub - you will end up wanting to fight for it instead of tossing it.

Fighting contamination almost always leads to more contamination problems down the road.

When you have 6-8 trays going, it is much easier to throw 1 or 2 of them away if you get a contaminant. Not only do you have other chances at success,

And I definitely concur - depth over surface area with subs. I always like to have 3.5-4 inch substrate depth (at least). Makes a big difference in total harvest.

GadgetGuy · 10-29-09, 19:29

I prefer doing it all into one monotub rather than trays etc. Its easier and I personally think you get a bigger yield that way, not to mention dunking etc. is easier. One thing I'm going to say too is that when you have all your spawn dumped in there make sure you leave enough of you poo (or whatever your sub is) to completely cover any exposed grains. That layer of pasteurized poo will keep any contams from landing on any exposed grains allowing them to take hold in case any of the myc has rubbed off the grains etc. I try to keep at least a 1/2" layer of sub on top of any exposed grains.

MLBjammer · 10-29-09, 20:12

That's your mix-then-layer technique, GG. It is a good tip.

BuckarooBanzai · 10-29-09, 20:16

I always leave a top layer of sub in the summer time months. I don't so much worry about it once it gets cold outside, but it sure seems to help keep that trich at bay in August.

I hate growing in August.

It does take a little longer to colonize when put a substrate layer on top. But only a couple days if you are running at 78F-80F.

hungryhippo999 · 10-29-09, 20:40

cool. so this mix-then-layer technique is recommended over just mixing the whole thing?? I will give it a try then.
Once all this stuff is mixed in the big rubbermaid, would it be best to load up the trays in that same rubbermaid it was mixed in, then immediately press and seal?
Just trying to get a visual step by step down to know the game plan. The excitement is high and the countdown is on!

mydarling · 10-29-09, 20:42

i agree with everyone, depth is much better than surface area. i like 4-5" for mine. i made a tub with like 2" of substrate once, maybe it was even 1.75", and it grew the tiniest cubes i ever saw. take a gander at these!

BuckarooBanzai · 10-29-09, 20:52

But if you wanted a to make a miniature mycology room for a doll house, those would be perfect! Then, they would be big'uns!

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10-29-09, 18:11	#1 (permalink)
hungryhippo999 Mycophage Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 120	1st Spawning Tomorrow! Depth vs. Surface Area Hey fellow mycophiles! Tomorrow is the big day! 1st ever bulk spawn! FOAF was checking his FC and containers for subs. His question is it preferable to: 1. Have a 3 to 3 1/2" thick sub with a little less surface space? Or to have more surface area to fruit with a 2 1/2" substrate thickness? Or does it matter? He is trying to decide between 2 container types, 1 of which he would need to buy less for (bc he has it all) Either way results are what wanted so he can buy either.... 2. Should he use powder free latex gloves to spawn and mix all this? Or is a good hand washing and lots of alcohol hand sanitizer and pre-misted lysol good enough? Just so u know FOAF NEVER uses gloves when making PF jars! Just sanitizer between steps and he has 100% success. So is onemethod prefered? He is putting a whole lot of eggs in this basket and wants optimum success rates! Thanks guys!!!

10-29-09, 18:21	#2 (permalink)
eatyualive ExoCannibalist Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,064	yes use powder free latex gloves. this is a matter of preference. i like 1'x2' size sub beds with about a 3" depth level. 4 quarts spawn. if the substrate will be too thin. then id recommend going with deeper sub with less surface area. or your fruits might be on the smaller size. if you get at least 3" sub depth with 4 quarts spawn you should get decent size fruits with no casing layer. i have a tub now that has a bit smaller fruits than usual. its about 2.5" sub depth. less substrate and 3 quarts spawn. the flush looks decent but the fruits are on the smaller side. this is the tub right here. usually i go about 3" depth. 4 quarts spawn. http://forums.mycotopia.net/photo-ga...ultispore.html (Syzygy Multispore) some people do spawn with their hands. i don't like doing that at all. in case i touch something. i would have to wash my hands a few times. i just like putting the gloves on prior to mixing the spawn and substrate. you can dump your sub in your tub. put the lid on. then spoon your spawn over that. then put gloves on and mix your spawn and substrate. __________________ Click for Eat's Reference

10-29-09, 19:29	#4 (permalink)
BuckarooBanzai Prone to ranting... Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,050	When you are first starting to figure this stuff out, I think a number of smaller containers is a much better choice than one big tub. If one big tub contaminates - especially your first tub - you will end up wanting to fight for it instead of tossing it. Fighting contamination almost always leads to more contamination problems down the road. When you have 6-8 trays going, it is much easier to throw 1 or 2 of them away if you get a contaminant. Not only do you have other chances at success, And I definitely concur - depth over surface area with subs. I always like to have 3.5-4 inch substrate depth (at least). Makes a big difference in total harvest. __________________ Banzai Institute for Higher Education (a collection of growing Teks & threads)

10-29-09, 19:29	#5 (permalink)
GadgetGuy Stupid Snowboarder... Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,312	I prefer doing it all into one monotub rather than trays etc. Its easier and I personally think you get a bigger yield that way, not to mention dunking etc. is easier. One thing I'm going to say too is that when you have all your spawn dumped in there make sure you leave enough of you poo (or whatever your sub is) to completely cover any exposed grains. That layer of pasteurized poo will keep any contams from landing on any exposed grains allowing them to take hold in case any of the myc has rubbed off the grains etc. I try to keep at least a 1/2" layer of sub on top of any exposed grains. __________________ I have to hold on to the grass or I'll fall off the world!

10-29-09, 19:17	#3 (permalink)
hungryhippo999 Mycophage Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 120	Thanks bud! I have seen all your tubs/postings and kinda wonder if my FOAF should be doing it all in 1 giant tub instead of splitting it into 5 or 6 trays... FOAF actually would like to know that if he is mixing all of this spawn/sub in a big rubbermaid and going to split it into 5 to 6 equal parts, once it is mixed in the rubbermaid with the gloves, where should it be spooned or hand loaded into the trays? Should this transfering from the giant mixing tub into the 6 smaller trays be done right inside the mixing container with the lid cracked? Then immediately press and sealed? Thanks. Sorry if these questions keep coming but this is his very first attempt and he is a bit nervous... peace!

10-29-09, 20:12	#6 (permalink)
MLBjammer Addicted to Invitro Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,864	That's your mix-then-layer technique, GG. It is a good tip.

10-29-09, 20:16	#7 (permalink)
BuckarooBanzai Prone to ranting... Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,050	I always leave a top layer of sub in the summer time months. I don't so much worry about it once it gets cold outside, but it sure seems to help keep that trich at bay in August. I hate growing in August. It does take a little longer to colonize when put a substrate layer on top. But only a couple days if you are running at 78F-80F. __________________ Banzai Institute for Higher Education (a collection of growing Teks & threads)

10-29-09, 20:40	#8 (permalink)
hungryhippo999 Mycophage Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 120	cool. so this mix-then-layer technique is recommended over just mixing the whole thing?? I will give it a try then. Once all this stuff is mixed in the big rubbermaid, would it be best to load up the trays in that same rubbermaid it was mixed in, then immediately press and seal? Just trying to get a visual step by step down to know the game plan. The excitement is high and the countdown is on!

10-29-09, 20:42	#9 (permalink)
mydarling Modtastic Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,034	i agree with everyone, depth is much better than surface area. i like 4-5" for mine. i made a tub with like 2" of substrate once, maybe it was even 1.75", and it grew the tiniest cubes i ever saw. take a gander at these! Attached Thumbnails __________________ tonight your ghost will ask my ghost, who put these bodies between us?

10-29-09, 20:52	#10 (permalink)
BuckarooBanzai Prone to ranting... Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,050	But if you wanted a to make a miniature mycology room for a doll house, those would be perfect! Then, they would be big'uns! __________________ Banzai Institute for Higher Education (a collection of growing Teks & threads)

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