Mono tubs!

I have had success with tubs but they usually contaminate between the 2-3rd flush... I am still working with multi spore syringes. Is it time to start isolating my strain or fruit in a different manner? My best results were from a storage tote for under your bed. They are long and wide but shallow... I thought about adding exhaust port with pillow stuffing? I was getting great results until contaminated.

one of the advantages of using a casing layer is that you can pre adjust the ph.
most contamination loves acid. Mushrooms exude acid in order to convert substrate into nutrient. As the organism gets older. The substrate becomes more acidic and invites contamination more easily.

people tend to try to depend upon ongoing sterile conditions. While this approach works with sterile substrates, the moment a jar is open or the cover of a tub removed, sterility is no longer an option.

now, as you know, you are depending on the natural resistance of the organism to retard or prevent contamination.

if you, on the other hand, adjust your casing as basic as possible without weakening the mushroom you will give yourself a bit more tome before the inevitable green crust.

I have not been casing! It has been a little while since my last run, and I kinda forgot. Yes, I need to learn more about casing...
It seems like contamination starts with the rye that is exposed. I was still getting 2 1/2 flushes, not bad.

I was using hay/manure to spawn with but I think I will switch to coco instead of hay. I also add hydrated lime and gypsum during the pasteurizing process. Would this have any affect on ph or is it the casing that matters?

MustangStudFarm said:

I was using hay/manure to spawn with but I think I will switch to coco instead of hay. I also add hydrated lime and gypsum during the pasteurizing process. Would this have any affect on ph or is it the casing that matters?

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ph of your substrate is important too but it only affects the outside surface, when casing, that is about half. Remember the the ph of the entire thing will gradually turn more acid as the mushroom consumes more food.

I believe that the limiting factor is hydration and that give unlimited water, the mushroom will continue to consume and fruit, hence the extra fruiting after a soak in water. But I also believe that the mushroom will eventually poison itself in its own excretions much like yeast.

usually however, the mushroom dies what it is in nature to do. Fungi are in a succession of decompsers, a primary makes conditions right for the secondary. Then that one makes conditions ready for the next in line.

you see that in action in compost, where one thermophilic organism heats the substrate enough for the next in sucession


although the organisms are different, the concept is the same.

you are actually just rotting your corn or flour or straw

I am trying to make the switch to organic mmj. Could I use the mushroom compost in my soil? I am starting a compost bin along with a "worm factory" bin.
I am taking in what you say and have started reading more into your posts.

worms like spent substrate but you would be unwise to leave it near it in your home. You can bury it in your garden with decent results, however, many people presume spent substrate is excelent for the soil, it isn't, it us... Spent, aeration and organic material sure but nit all that nutrient rich. Course I an speaking from having purchased a number of yards of spent agaricus compost, not grain or straw.