no growth and possible bacteria?

[kswissbob]

i have a question for you growing gods out there. ive been pretty successful with PF jars for almost a year now. but recently ive been having a lot of problems. I prep my jars the same as i always have. i never use a PC cause i haven't needed one. but for the past few months all jars i make have no growth at all. and a slightly funky smell.
there's no mold growth so i always figure at least it didnt contaminate. but when i open them up to see whats wrong i get this odd smell. its not a nasty smell it smells like dirty dirt more than anything. but im just confused why dozens of jars will do absolutely nothing for over a month. ive tried remaking jars about 3 times now which brings me to 52 jars that have all failed with no growth. so if anyone has had similar things happen and know whats up please give me some clues!

[Decon]

A couple of questions..

1. What do you mean you don't use a PC because you have never needed one? Are you doing fractional sterilization then?

2. What are you using to inoculate the jars? mulit-spore syringe, LC, etc.

3. Where and how were your spores kept?

[redenbacher]

If you're phenomenally sterile, you might be puttiing in the spores too early. The end result - dead spores and no shrooms. Alternatively, you could just be keeping them in a badly heated area.

Temp is important...

[Faaip De Oaid]

sounds like bacterial contam. its harder to spot but reaks of sour apples. like Decon mentioned, try fractional sterilization

[kcmoxtractor]

Are you using the same syringe, or have you used a different syringe and body?

What is your inoculation procedure?

[MLBjammer]

You can steam sterilize BRF jars with great success.

I would say you have some bacterial contams riding along with your spore/tissue source, which is common. Get some fresh spores and try some more jars.

I would highly recommend buying at least an inexpensive PC. You can get a 6-quart model for less than 40 dollars. It is well worth the expense.

Good luck.

[kswissbob]

i FS my jars every time
i use a multi spore syringe but i have plenty of different syringes i use and sterilize before each use. my spores and from my own spore prints and ive been useing that same process to take spore prints for a while know ( in a glovebox) temps are great at 80-82* my inoculation process includes flaming the needle after injecting every jar.
i think its bacteria but its hard to tell cause the smell really isnt that bad. its just a smell that you know is not right...

[Irishlion]

Originally Posted by kswissbob

i FS my jars every time
i use a multi spore syringe but i have plenty of different syringes i use and sterilize before each use. my spores and from my own spore prints and ive been useing that same process to take spore prints for a while know ( in a glovebox) temps are great at 80-82* my inoculation process includes flaming the needle after injecting every jar.
i think its bacteria but its hard to tell cause the smell really isnt that bad. its just a smell that you know is not right...

You using city water? If so stop use distilled water for your syringes.

[kswissbob]

i wish that was the problem but ive been useing distilled water all along...maybe i should give city water a try

[MLBjammer]

If it's any smell other than that mushroom scent, it ain't good, whatever the cause. I would try a different spore source. Contams happen to the best of us, bro. It is just part of the hobby unfortunately.

Peace, and good luck!

[Mermaidia]

Do you have any prints from another source you could try aside from your own?
Are you letting the needle cool before inoculating?
My guess is that it might be some bad prints or you aren't letting the needle cool enough before using.