bulk ratio question ?

[Zozo]

Hi all,
I was reading a lot and ppl saying to spawn/Bulk ratio should be 1:3, 1:2 ... and so ...
now if I like to make bulk from straw or poo/coir/poo or verm ..
Do I need to calculate the amounts of dry substance or wet ?
cuz there is big difference especially with coir.

Thanks in advance
zozo

[sagiboy]

i made my 1st tray with 1/4 pint and got small 1-2-3 inch shrooms.

asked a "pro" and he said he would use x4 substrate with that tray size.

ill go with 1:2 - 1:3 next time.

http://forums.mycotopia.net/attachme...tray_-2-11.jpg

Originally Posted by Zozo

Do I need to calculate the amounts of dry substance or wet ?

imo , wet.
coir volume expands x15 with water.

[ishkaboo]

I measure the DRY mass and never had a problem. If the sub expands too much from the water, oh well you have some extra sub to make a mini tub with or whatever you want.


Some do it wet, I prefer dry.


Also, I use 1:3 ratio and it works fine. 1:2 will just make it colonize faster meaning less risk of contams, but you use more spawn that you could have used for other tubs so you have to decide your priorities. Also depends on if it is an isolate or MS or LC since isolates and LC's will colonize faster no matter what.

[Zozo]

Thanks a lot for both.

Is the spawn ratio influence only on colonizing time or yield too ?
then if I will do 1:5 I will need only to wait more or I will get less yield ?
how thick will be good to have good yield and bigger shroomes ?

Thanks
zozo

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by Zozo

Thanks a lot for both.

Is the spawn ratio influence only on colonizing time or yield too ?
then if I will do 1:5 I will need only to wait more or I will get less yield ?
how thick will be good to have good yield and bigger shroomes ?

Thanks
zozo

The easy answer is, the faster your sub colonizes, the more prolific your mycelium will be at the fruiting stage and the faster/harder your myc will flush, which should increase yield since the mycelium is more aggressive than it would be if you used less spawn and allowed it to take longer to colonize.

I would not recommend going above 1:3 spawn/bulk ratio because you risk slower colonization times and even yield if the mycelium is tired from such a long colonization period (you may also need to flood or dunk the tub to rehydrate it in order to get a decent yield).


By all means experiment. That is the only way we learn and advance in this hobby.

[eatyualive]

i don't so much worry about the spawn ratio. i just put about 4 to 5 quarts of grain per 40 quart to 66 quart tub. usually keep a sub depth of 3" or more. never an issue.

ive gone as low as 2 quarts per tub in the past. with about a 2" sub depth with good results. but if you want larger yield go 4 and up.

[Zozo]

Originally Posted by eatyualive

i don't so much worry about the spawn ratio. i just put about 4 to 5 quarts of grain per 40 quart to 66 quart tub. usually keep a sub depth of 3" or more. never an issue.

ive gone as low as 2 quarts per tub in the past. with about a 2" sub depth with good results. but if you want larger yield go 4 and up.

Thanks a lot will do ...
just need to wait for the jars

peace
zozo