freeadam
06-09-2009, 07:01 PM
I just started growing. I acquired some spores from a site that has a good reputation. I ordered Mazatapec Mexican variety, and B+ which is known to be friendly with amatuer growers.
Following the recipe, I used vermiculite and brown rice flour. I innoculated the jars after sterilizing them for 90 minutes in a preassure cooker. I wore gloves for the whole process. After I innoculated them, I placed them above the fridge, and it took a little longer than expected (roughly a month), but the mycelium really took off. Once all of them were established, I placed them in the fruiting chamber (10 gal. aquarium) with an inch and a half of perlite and water. I put a little bit of diluted bleach in the perlite to keep the perlite from growing stagnant.
Right now, 6 out of 10 cakes are growing mushrooms. One of the cakes (B+) only grew 2 shrooms, but they were almost 6 inches long! I had no contamination in any of them. It really wasn't as hard as what I expected. Always make sure you clean out your jars even if they're new, with a bleach solution.
Now my only problem is, I want to know if I can innoculate a new batch with fresh mushroom caps, or if I have to use spore prints. If anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it.
Following the recipe, I used vermiculite and brown rice flour. I innoculated the jars after sterilizing them for 90 minutes in a preassure cooker. I wore gloves for the whole process. After I innoculated them, I placed them above the fridge, and it took a little longer than expected (roughly a month), but the mycelium really took off. Once all of them were established, I placed them in the fruiting chamber (10 gal. aquarium) with an inch and a half of perlite and water. I put a little bit of diluted bleach in the perlite to keep the perlite from growing stagnant.
Right now, 6 out of 10 cakes are growing mushrooms. One of the cakes (B+) only grew 2 shrooms, but they were almost 6 inches long! I had no contamination in any of them. It really wasn't as hard as what I expected. Always make sure you clean out your jars even if they're new, with a bleach solution.
Now my only problem is, I want to know if I can innoculate a new batch with fresh mushroom caps, or if I have to use spore prints. If anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it.