Makin' it Natural

[Freaky]

Well, 'tis the season again

This is the start of a season long thread. It will be updated and added to throughout the season.

This is the first two projects to be started. Strain~ 3 jars Pesa from Sporeworks
(two jars were PF Redspore, its bad to not lable)

The first is a straw tub project. To see if there was any benefit and less critter destruction by not coming in direct contact with the ground.

Project 1~~~
First, the tub, clear with drain holes. And a pic of the soaking straw.
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Second, 5 jars of Mycrotopias premium cake mix. The plastic containers are great
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Third, bottom layer of wet straw (un-pasteurized and un-chopped). Packed down as tightly as possible. Advise chopping if you can.
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Fourth, crumbled the five cakes. Again, packed down tight.
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A close up
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Final, after mixing, heavy layer of dry straw on top. (not sure if this was wise)
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And a pic of the side.
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Update as of today:

The top after a good rain
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Mycelium colonizing and looking good
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IMG_2688.jpg


Project 2~~~
This is also a straw project. Only a straw log project.

No pics to share of how it was made, so history given:

Mycrotopia jars bought in January. Two PF Redspore jars grew nice and healthy. (mycelium syringes were made and inoculated the two jars for the above project). Those jars were birthed sometime in March. They didn't fruit after birthing.
The cakes sat in a ziplock bag with verm and just fuzzed up, never pinned or fruited.
There was left over wet straw from project 1.
The two cakes were crumbled and mixed with the verm in the bag (all done outside)
The wet straw was shoved into the ziplock bag and it was all mixed together. (just like straw, small and simple.)
Then it was packed down and the bag rolled up. A zip tie helped hold it in its rolled up state.
The corners of the bag were cut off, the zipper at top was not zipped. And scissors were used to puncture some holes into the bag.
The bag was placed in a box outside inside a shed.

Pics from today:
Pins were noted so the zip tie was cut off. The bag unrolled.
IMG_2683.jpg

An outdoor holding container was needed. An old dub tub was put to use. Not cleaned or anything, rinsed with a hose.
Some Hydroton rocks added to the bottom for the small straw log to lay on and help aid in humidity.
The top (not shown) has two large side holes for air exchange.
IMG_2686.jpg

Close up of pins
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Salamander was found under the straw tub when it was picked up to move to its home in the woods.

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This will be updated whenever the next project begins or there are photos to share.
Outdoor growing can be accomplished so easily and in so many different ways. I love Nature's Way

Thanks for reading, and happy funging


***Stupid me just realized the max pic file size is almost 2 MB, (i'm used to the old, under 500k) so the pics are small cuz they were resized. Update pics will be better for viewing. ***

[Hippie3]

pic o' the month nominee

[Freaky]

Thanks Hip!

Its an honor to get a nomination to Pic of the Month!

[python]

Hell ya Freaky!

Nice log.... i am looking forward to the future

And i second that pic o the month nominee!!!

[Sunstar]

Keep us posted

[golly]

Great post Freaky...! That blue Sally is amazing...Also good to see you back in the game...Have fun...

[Freaky]

Thanks Friends!
I just love this time of year!

I'm glad you guys like that pic. I very rarely see a blue salamander. Usually only the yellow. I think he was making meals outta the slugs and bugs

Coming soon: Treasure Coast and Penis Envy projects

[Orchidman]

That photo is georgeous. But sometimes we see in photos something not seen with the naked eye. I think I see a pillbug under the salamander. They shouldn't be allowed to get into your grow because although they only seem to eat decaying vegetation, they will spread contamination as they travel. They would probably nest in your hydroton and eat up all your straw. Hopefully the salamander will eat pillbugs.

[Hippie3]

might spread diatomaceous earth for the bugs.

[chimp]

Great Pic of the salamander !

[Freaky]

The pill bugs are the reason the tub was moved, thats when the salamander was found. That pill bug didn't go un noticed. Usually they are more prevelant with the use of horse manure rather than straw.
(actually I like to call em rolly-pollies)

Contams have never been seen in outdoor cubensis grows. At least not yet, after 3 years of doing them.


Diatomaceous earth is going to be used Hip. Also, a cover has been put over the tub to keep out critters and slugs.

[Hippie3]

i have never seen a blue salamander,
in fact i've only ever seen 1 in the wild,
a few years ago in ozarks while visiting my crop
and it was small, barely 2 inches long i'd say, and orange

[reverend trips]

Very nice pics!

We don't have salamanders in my part of the world, I wish we did. They are cute little buggers.


It is nice to see you back at it Freaky...been too long!

Good luck!

[python]

I used to catch salamanders around my parts ----- seen thousands i bet....but that blue one is especially nice....
Where there is one there are others..... they interbreed, create hybrids...and are more typically found near coastlines/water --- the pics of these two seem like they would reside near water --- whereas if they were spotted i would expect to see them more inland........

Ohh, and ya might want to change that title Trips ---there's a new king of the arcade

just playin.....

[Freaky]

Hip, that salamander is cool! I've only ever seen black variety. That orange color is amazing.

They are little cuties.

I wasn't able to move mine with the tub, he went into hiding right after the pic. I'm sure I'll find some more this summer.

And it does feel good to be back at it Missed all the fun-gus for a while

[Freaky]

Time for updating to this thread


First, showing two new small projects. Testing a couple new materials and methods so best to do it small so no wasting of spawn or material.

Project 1

2 Mycrotopia Mix Filter Patch Bags
Strain: Treasure Coast



New material to test out: bagged humus/manure mix.

IMG_2778.jpg

Straw soaking with some coco coir in a tub

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Spawn bags

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Shoe box that will house the Treasure Coast...... garrrrrrrr

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Spawn crumbled up lightly in the bags

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Up close of the humus/manure mix~~~~~it is definitely recommended this be cut with vermiculite or straw(though that might not be enough) because its got a mud texture when wet~~~~~~

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The straw/coir mixed with the humus/manure

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Spawn dumped into the bulk substrate mix

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Spawn and straw mixed up

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Top put on shoe box, and holes punched into the lid.

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Its resting place is outdoors under a bush. Thoughts are that the shoe box will colonize quick enough while still fruiting a few flushes.
The humus/manure mix is getting tested out for how well it works mixed with straw. Straight manure beds have been found to turn spongy and ruin the mycelium if it gets too many days of straight rain. A maximum of 2 good flushes was all straight manure was giving, so this summer, more straw is being utilized.

Project 2

This is a small penis project

1 filter bag of Mycrotopia's Mycro Mix
to this substrate mix! Great stuff!


Spawn bag crumbled up
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Bulk substrate mixed into bag substrate
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Bag tied up loosely, a few holes poked, and set in a dark spot.
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This project is to see how the Penis Envy strain likes the straw/humus/manure mix. There are 3 other bags waiting to finish colonizing. They will be spawned together into a larger project.

This is going to test fruiting straight out of Mycrotopia's bags outdoors. These will most likely be kept where they can be hand watered/misted. Right now the bag is in a barn. This should keep slugs to a minimum and other outdoor bed destroyers.


So there are 2 new projects for nature to care

[Freaky]

And now............an update of previous tub project~~~

A natural shot IMG_2792.jpg

Close up of primordia~of course they sprout during a drought
IMG_2794.jpg


Side pinning going on which was expected. IMG_2798.jpg



Unfortunately no pics of the tiny straw log. It is being worked with as humidity can't be maintained. Updates on that to follow in the near future, once a plan of action is decided upon.

[Freaky]

IMG_2976.jpg IMG_2977.jpg IMG_2983.jpg



Just some update pics. I think it likes the straw/humus/manure mix. Those pics are 4days after spawning.

Tub is a bit dissapointing, not doing too well. Don't know if its weather related or what, but at least it fruited

[Hippie3]

no pics of the tiny straw log. It is being worked with as humidity can't be maintained. Updates on that to follow in the near future, once a plan of action is decided upon.

maybe wrap it in burlap/fabric
keep that wet

see
http://archives.mycotopia.net/discus.../5/135826.html

[Freaky]

Thanks for the link Hip! I've been thinking for a couple days now what to do with it. I checked it tonight and its pretty dry. I'm gonna dunk it tomorrow and then I might give this idea a try, and bury it in some moist area. Definitely have to dunk it though.

[Freaky]

I'm just gonna post the pics.

IMG_3069.jpg IMG_3073.jpg IMG_3075.jpg IMG_3077.jpg IMG_3078.jpg IMG_3079.jpg IMG_3080.jpg

The tub has been putting off smaller fruits that get picked daily, the daily haul is like the one pictured, most times, sometimes more, sometimes less.

The bag was cased, and the shoe box was cased. General consensus is that the humus/manure material is liked by the fungus so will be utilized in the soon to come larger projects.

The tiny straw log (no pics yet) had some petrified pins all over it, its dunking and will be put in some fabric like hip suggested. Thinking of keeping this semi wrapped in plastic for humidity etc.

enjoy the season

[Hippie3]

a nice snack there

[Freaky]

Thanks Hip. That small snack fed 4 peeps who all enjoyed.

[mycobri]

i love your outdoor projects Freaky

[chimp]

[Freaky]

aweeee shucks, thanks Friends

Hopefully they'll get a bit more exciting in the near future There's a couple months left of the season.

[the_chosen_one]

ah ha!

[Freaky]

Some not so exciting updates, but I can't let my thread die without updating

A pic of the straw tub IMG_3355.jpg

I'm fairly dissapointed with how this turned out. I think I'm going to dump it from the tub, mix with some more wet straw/humus/manure mix and see what happens. Yield was okay from it. Really its just been too damn dry. Its rained 2 times since it was put out in the woods.

A pic of the straw log. IMG_3359.jpg

This I can't believe. I was going to go with Hips advice (actually I still am, after this first flush) and wrap it in cloth of some kind. Instead I had an old bag of casing mix, filled it with water, put the dried (it was very dry) log into the ziploc casing mix/water and let it soak for about 3 days outside with the top open. Then I dumped the water, spread the casing around it some, and left the top open but folded down a bit. I check it about once a week. Its pinning so thats good I guess. Remeber, these cakes that spawned the straw were inoculated in January 07.

Next 3 pics are from the PE bag of Mycromix with straw/humus/manure mixed in. IMG_3366.jpg IMG_3369.jpg IMG_3370.jpg

I think after this flush, I'm going to birth it out. But if anyone wondered how Hip's Mycromix flushed invitro, I'd say "fantastic!"
This bag has been sitting in a barn, I cut some slits right above the substrate level and loosely tied the top. I did case it also. I haven't done anything else with it.


So, those are the updates for now. Hopefully some better, more exciting stuff to come. I've got new projects coming up soon too.

Oh, and the shoebox hasn't pinned yet, its really dry. Supposed to rain tomorrow, but if not, I'm gonna have to water it. So I didn't put any pix of that up.

[chimp]

Lookin like things are coming along

hey,

thats a nice outdoor grow! any fruit excites me. I like pics!

-DM-

[thafunkyone]

I think you need another kiddie pool to play with freaky....

[Theytellmethegootch]

Originally Posted by thafunkyone

I think you need another kiddie pool to play with freaky....

[Freaky]

Ya Know Funky, I have to agree with that! That kiddie pool was fun to grow in


I'll try to do something fun for these next bags to be spawned. I'm thinking forming the straw into shapes. I've always wanted to try a shopping cart too

[Freaky]

Just thought I'd share a few photos. There will be more for tomorrow as the shoebox is finally pinning. Something interesting with that I can't wait to show you guys. It did throw that fatty out though, made me smile

The PE bag was a happy dance harvest

Straw tub still throwing random fruits but for the most part dry and done.



Its really hard to accomplish this. I like to leave it all up to Mother Nature, but have found its not going to work this season. There has been no rain, and hardly any humidity. Its hurting the fungus thats for sure.

I've had to water on occasion, but I'm going to have to figure it all for a loss if some rain doesn't fall.

Hopefully I'll get some better flushes with the upcoming projects. I'm planning it out now



for rain!!!!!

Good luck!

that bag is sexy as hell! And I hit for the home team. lol

-DM-

Cool! I love your outdoor grows as well freaky! mushrooms really look a lot different outside..

[mycobri]

excellent grow and nice pics as always

those PE of yours do pretty well outdoors

[Freaky]

Thanks friends, your words encourage me


I've got some pics of the shoebox I'll try to get posted up for you. Calling for rain, but I'm a skeptic.

I was happy with how the PE's did outside in the bag as well. Just as easy to do em outside like that without the worry of being clean inside and all that. I guess they were like sandbags without the filtered holes, just open slits.
Hippie's MycroMix bags are great substrate!

[Freaky]

Just thought I'd share the Treasure Coast strain that was in the shoebox.

As you can tell, its been really dry. I wonder what they would have looked like with rain and humid weather.

The first pic is of the bigger one from the post above after the cap opened. It was just under 5 inches. I was happy with it.


The other pics are before harvest of the first flush. I thought it was cool how they fruited from the bottom of the shoebox. I am not sure about anymore flushes. I drenched it in water but I don't think its going to do much.

There aren't even wild mushrooms growing anywhere around me. Its so dry, its just not going well so far.

Hopefully the weather will turn good enough for the next round of projects.

[Freaky]

Well, I didn't do so well at makin' it natural this season. Just wasn't a great season for the weather to handle it on its own.

This is the last of any outdoor project for the season.

It is Treasure Coast again.
Spawned a Mycrotopia Mix bag to coir, put it in this fabric bag and layed it in the shady tall grass.

IMG_3902.jpg IMG_3903.jpg IMG_3924.jpg



Hopefully next year I'll be more creative and have better outdoor results. It was still fun though
Hell, how can fungus not be fun?

amazing stuff as always freaky!!

[Freaky]

This was the flush from the mesh bag. As you can see they grew inside and outside of the bag.

Can't wait until next season.