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gixxerific
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applestar
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Well, the instructions for the Oysters said to let them grow while the cap edges are still bent down but pick before the edges turn up into trumpets. It also said to cut away as much of the stem as possible. As you can see, in a well formed, co-joined cluster like that, the advice is contradictory and you end up picking the little ones as well as the most "ripe" ones.
Also, Oyster mushrooms come with the warning that it produces LOTS of spores and some people become allergic to them (workers in Oyster mushroom farms have to wear masks). So I'm mostly going to pick them younger rather than older.
Also, Oyster mushrooms come with the warning that it produces LOTS of spores and some people become allergic to them (workers in Oyster mushroom farms have to wear masks). So I'm mostly going to pick them younger rather than older.
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applestar
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Here are today's photos of the 2nd SHIITAKE Flush 
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6148.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6147.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6157.jpg[/img]
As for the Oyster Mushrooms, I've run into a problem. Most of the tiny primordia (baby mushrooms) that I photographed and posted have shriveled up and died. Only 3 or 4 good clusters grew out in each container. I'll post photos later.
One possible cause is that for a while I was spraying with filtered tap water. I've gone back to straight rain water and they do seem much better even when the rain water is being stored in a 5 gal jug indoors (I.e. not "fresh").
Now, I do have a fair history and experience with growing a variety of your average indoor and outdoor plants. Nothing extremely unusual or out of ordinary, mind you, but I've done my share of experimentation and have a decent grasp on what to do to keep'em alive. So having these mushrooms behave in these unexpected ways has been somewhat frustrating.
(STILL GOT LOTS TO LEARN OBVIOUSLY
)
Assuming humidity to be a major factor, I can see why people devise grow/fruiting boxes and rooms out of large clear storage containers or a spare room or a portion of a room draped in plastic. I've seen the little zipped vinyl greenhouse with wire shelves adapted for mushroom fruiting chamber. I might seriously consider something like that. For now though, I'm sticking with perforated plastic bags -- it IS easy to individualize misting schedule, etc.
I have to say, with the Oyster Mushrooms growing in five 7~8" pots, the 10" past pot insert, plus the pint jar that has been allowed to grow out, there are a good variety of growing conditions so that clusters are forming at different times at different rates and sizes (a prime example: The shipping paper/coffee grounds substrate that was part of the original spawn growing medium experiments has FINALLY started to fruit THIS week) , and I'm harvesting mushrooms every week.
Later on, I'll post latest photos of the two 1/3 paper towel rolls (I couldn't bring myself to use TP) that were inoculated with home-grown spawn in the canning jars on 12/13. They'r growing nicely and are emitting the distinct anise-like aroma of Oyster Mushroom mycelium. I'm giving one or both to my brother for Christmas
Here are photos from 12/13:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6096.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6097.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6098.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6104.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6148.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6147.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6157.jpg[/img]
As for the Oyster Mushrooms, I've run into a problem. Most of the tiny primordia (baby mushrooms) that I photographed and posted have shriveled up and died. Only 3 or 4 good clusters grew out in each container. I'll post photos later.
One possible cause is that for a while I was spraying with filtered tap water. I've gone back to straight rain water and they do seem much better even when the rain water is being stored in a 5 gal jug indoors (I.e. not "fresh").
Now, I do have a fair history and experience with growing a variety of your average indoor and outdoor plants. Nothing extremely unusual or out of ordinary, mind you, but I've done my share of experimentation and have a decent grasp on what to do to keep'em alive. So having these mushrooms behave in these unexpected ways has been somewhat frustrating.
(STILL GOT LOTS TO LEARN OBVIOUSLY
)Assuming humidity to be a major factor, I can see why people devise grow/fruiting boxes and rooms out of large clear storage containers or a spare room or a portion of a room draped in plastic. I've seen the little zipped vinyl greenhouse with wire shelves adapted for mushroom fruiting chamber. I might seriously consider something like that. For now though, I'm sticking with perforated plastic bags -- it IS easy to individualize misting schedule, etc.
I have to say, with the Oyster Mushrooms growing in five 7~8" pots, the 10" past pot insert, plus the pint jar that has been allowed to grow out, there are a good variety of growing conditions so that clusters are forming at different times at different rates and sizes (a prime example: The shipping paper/coffee grounds substrate that was part of the original spawn growing medium experiments has FINALLY started to fruit THIS week) , and I'm harvesting mushrooms every week.
Later on, I'll post latest photos of the two 1/3 paper towel rolls (I couldn't bring myself to use TP) that were inoculated with home-grown spawn in the canning jars on 12/13. They'r growing nicely and are emitting the distinct anise-like aroma of Oyster Mushroom mycelium. I'm giving one or both to my brother for Christmas
Here are photos from 12/13:[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6096.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6097.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6098.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6104.jpg[/img]
that you can decant the potato boiling water for the Potato Dextrose Agar .... -
applestar
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Sorry soil, I didn't mean to ignore your query. I haven't used it, but am planning to use shiitake spore oil when I cut my oak logs. PS actually recommends triple whammy -- spored oil to cut with, plug spawns, AND (I think) hemp rope spawn -- in one of his books... Mycelium Running, probably.
I've gone ahead and made some P(RS)YA. RS because I discovered that I was out of Malt but had Brown Rice Syrup. It was actually supposed to be Dextrose according to the Potato Dextrose Yeast Agar recipe, but I had RS, so what the hey -- I used the same portion of RS as Barley Malt is called for in Malt Extract Yeast Agar.
Am still cobbling together equipment, so I went with small canning jars (4 oz jelly jars and the squat 8 oz wide-mouth jars) and tried 2 8-oz jars (one supplemented with sawdust and wood shavings) of shiitake spores and 2 4-oz jars of oyster spores as well as one 8-oz jar of bits of oyster cap to clone.
I did my best to follow sterile procedures, but I don't know... I just don't have super clean rooms. It's very well to recommend using the unused spare bathroom cleaned spotless -- obviously, those are written by either wealthy college students or recent graduates, making the bucks and living in one of those unfurnished apartments/condos with a master bedroom suit with a den and an extra 1/2 bath. I looked everywhere but there IS no spotlessly clean unused spare bathroom to be found in my house
Will report back on how those turn out.
I have to say I'm having a problem with that pot insert of oysters. I'm not sure if it's the size, the metal container or some general sloppiness on my part, but fungus gnats found it and I've been trying to come up with a way to save it. Right now it's been put in a chill cycle/rest. I have to keep it clean but try to dry it out somewhat -- not easy to do because of the large mass -- I wish I could put it in a spotlessly *clean* fridge, but my fridge is neither clean, nor does it have the spare space to hold a pot that size. Ha! I just though of something, DH has his "bait" fridge in the garage that as far as I know isn't being used right now....
Like I mentioned elsewhere, earlier this week, I've made up a new batch of substrate -- Pet bedding being the main component -- aspen shavings and Woody Pet sawdust pellets. Aspen is technically hardwood but considered softwood for some reason, and Woody Pet is supposedly made up of softwoods with all resinous materials removed to be healthy for pets. Also a small portion of corncob bedding, and a handful of crushed eggshells, oystershells, and garden sulfur. Pressure cooked in oven bags (still not buying "proper" supplies you see
) in small batches.
2 bags (one "sawdust substrate above and one 1/3-paper towel) inoculated with oyster spawn from my Pint canning jar pressure cooked corncob spawn back in November, whose twin had pinned and fruited last month. These bags are amazingly vigorous and myceliating already.
2 bags were inoculated with the Shiitake spawn kit after it had fruited twice. Unfortunately a patch of green mold had started. Although I tried to cut out the affected area and washed and peroxided the spawn surface before inoculating these bags, I have very little confidence that these will make it. I do see some white filaments, but whether they're shiitake mycelium or that green mold remains to be seen.
At least I'll know in time to buy a new spawn kit for my oak logs if I have to, and I already had good harvest from the Shiitake kit. The 2nd flush was tremendous -- and well-supplied our New Years Eve noodle soup along with a goodly harvest of Oysters.
I've gone ahead and made some P(RS)YA. RS because I discovered that I was out of Malt but had Brown Rice Syrup. It was actually supposed to be Dextrose according to the Potato Dextrose Yeast Agar recipe, but I had RS, so what the hey -- I used the same portion of RS as Barley Malt is called for in Malt Extract Yeast Agar.
Am still cobbling together equipment, so I went with small canning jars (4 oz jelly jars and the squat 8 oz wide-mouth jars) and tried 2 8-oz jars (one supplemented with sawdust and wood shavings) of shiitake spores and 2 4-oz jars of oyster spores as well as one 8-oz jar of bits of oyster cap to clone.I did my best to follow sterile procedures, but I don't know... I just don't have super clean rooms. It's very well to recommend using the unused spare bathroom cleaned spotless -- obviously, those are written by either wealthy college students or recent graduates, making the bucks and living in one of those unfurnished apartments/condos with a master bedroom suit with a den and an extra 1/2 bath. I looked everywhere but there IS no spotlessly clean unused spare bathroom to be found in my house
Will report back on how those turn out.
I have to say I'm having a problem with that pot insert of oysters. I'm not sure if it's the size, the metal container or some general sloppiness on my part, but fungus gnats found it and I've been trying to come up with a way to save it. Right now it's been put in a chill cycle/rest. I have to keep it clean but try to dry it out somewhat -- not easy to do because of the large mass -- I wish I could put it in a spotlessly *clean* fridge, but my fridge is neither clean, nor does it have the spare space to hold a pot that size. Ha! I just though of something, DH has his "bait" fridge in the garage that as far as I know isn't being used right now....
Like I mentioned elsewhere, earlier this week, I've made up a new batch of substrate -- Pet bedding being the main component -- aspen shavings and Woody Pet sawdust pellets. Aspen is technically hardwood but considered softwood for some reason, and Woody Pet is supposedly made up of softwoods with all resinous materials removed to be healthy for pets. Also a small portion of corncob bedding, and a handful of crushed eggshells, oystershells, and garden sulfur. Pressure cooked in oven bags (still not buying "proper" supplies you see
) in small batches. 2 bags (one "sawdust substrate above and one 1/3-paper towel) inoculated with oyster spawn from my Pint canning jar pressure cooked corncob spawn back in November, whose twin had pinned and fruited last month. These bags are amazingly vigorous and myceliating already.
2 bags were inoculated with the Shiitake spawn kit after it had fruited twice. Unfortunately a patch of green mold had started. Although I tried to cut out the affected area and washed and peroxided the spawn surface before inoculating these bags, I have very little confidence that these will make it. I do see some white filaments, but whether they're shiitake mycelium or that green mold remains to be seen.
At least I'll know in time to buy a new spawn kit for my oak logs if I have to, and I already had good harvest from the Shiitake kit. The 2nd flush was tremendous -- and well-supplied our New Years Eve noodle soup along with a goodly harvest of Oysters.
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top_dollar_bread
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applestar
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Heh. Just because I'm TRYIN' is in no way an indication of competence. 
Those jars of agar, only one or two are showing any sign of growth. Whether that growth is mushroom hyphae remains to be seen.
Two mistakes --
(1) I filled the shallow canning jars too full of agar. With the alumnum foil lid, it's TOO DARK and the gap too narrow to see the top of the agar clearly. I keep having to take the darn lids off -- very bad for keeping out baddies.
(2) My spore collecting technique (HOW can you miss collecting Oyster mushroom spore I've no idea) might have been inadequate because all I see are the swoosh marks on the agar where the spores should be growing, though one of the shiitake spore agar and the one of the three pieces of oyster clones *appears* to be growing.
... oh OK THREE mistakes
(3) My house might be just a tad too cool at 69º. I think I should push them up to mid-70's for better spore germination. Too bad I can't keep them in the Seed Starting Area which I'll be setting up soon.... (too much mold, etc. other microbes which I'll be ENCOURAGING for the soil to be safe for agar cultures, I think.) I'll have to work something out..
In the mean time, I received the [url=https://www.fieldforest.net/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=3&chapter=0]Field and Forest[/url] catalog. I'm thinking their Wisconsin outdoor strains should be hardier than Fungi Perfecti's Washington State strains and, therefore, perhaps more suited to my garden. I also like that they have so many Shiitake strains with clearly described characteristics. Well, their oyster strains are interesting too, and they have Eryngii! At any rate, I'll be poring over the catalog.
I'm going to try another batch of agar using my good Weck jars with glass lids (minus the rubber gasket). If these prove to be still problematical in terms of viewing/observing the growth therein, there's company in PA (mycosupply.com) that carries all kinds of mushroom growing supplies (not spawn). I may break down and see about getting some stuff. I need a scalpel for one, DH was NOT happy that I used our good sharp Global fruit knife -- knife point is blackened from sterilizing it in flame....
Oh, the bags of Oysters are starting to waft the wonderful anise scent so THOSE are doing well, and the Shiitakes are both showing good growth and giving off nice woodsy scent (but then again, still too early to tell -- crossing my fingers).
Just because I'm TRYIN' is in no way an indication of competence. Those jars of agar, only one or two are showing any sign of growth. Whether that growth is mushroom hyphae remains to be seen.
Two mistakes --
(1) I filled the shallow canning jars too full of agar. With the alumnum foil lid, it's TOO DARK and the gap too narrow to see the top of the agar clearly. I keep having to take the darn lids off -- very bad for keeping out baddies.
(2) My spore collecting technique (HOW can you miss collecting Oyster mushroom spore I've no idea) might have been inadequate because all I see are the swoosh marks on the agar where the spores should be growing, though one of the shiitake spore agar and the one of the three pieces of oyster clones *appears* to be growing.
... oh OK THREE mistakes
(3) My house might be just a tad too cool at 69º. I think I should push them up to mid-70's for better spore germination. Too bad I can't keep them in the Seed Starting Area which I'll be setting up soon.... (too much mold, etc. other microbes which I'll be ENCOURAGING for the soil to be safe for agar cultures, I think.) I'll have to work something out..
In the mean time, I received the [url=https://www.fieldforest.net/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=3&chapter=0]Field and Forest[/url] catalog. I'm thinking their Wisconsin outdoor strains should be hardier than Fungi Perfecti's Washington State strains and, therefore, perhaps more suited to my garden. I also like that they have so many Shiitake strains with clearly described characteristics. Well, their oyster strains are interesting too, and they have Eryngii!
At any rate, I'll be poring over the catalog. I'm going to try another batch of agar using my good Weck jars with glass lids (minus the rubber gasket). If these prove to be still problematical in terms of viewing/observing the growth therein, there's company in PA (mycosupply.com) that carries all kinds of mushroom growing supplies (not spawn). I may break down and see about getting some stuff. I need a scalpel for one, DH was NOT happy that I used our good sharp Global fruit knife -- knife point is blackened from sterilizing it in flame....
Oh, the bags of Oysters are starting to waft the wonderful anise scent so THOSE are doing well, and the Shiitakes are both showing good growth and giving off nice woodsy scent (but then again, still too early to tell -- crossing my fingers).
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joshbuchan
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I am sorry... I cheated yes, I have bought mushroom grow kit with allready swawned manure and straw in the bottem and a caseing layer, it was only ...£3.49, I was wounder they be allright growing in a propergater? it ses dnt put in direct heat but its very cold out so I dnt know what to do. I have a a very good fermomiter so if u could maby tell me what heat they grow at I could find it out for myself, well anysways thanks.
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!potatoes!
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joshbuchan
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oh sorry forgot about this post
um how anouying it dose not acturly tell u what mushrooms just ses taylors bulbs mushroom growkit, the pic looks like button mushrooms if u ask me, on the side its got a complete grow giuld and to do and not to do.
inside theres a polistyreen tub lets say its 10 x 5 inc I cant find a ruler.
then inside the tube theres allready spawned compost, then on top theres a black lid, then inside the lide is your caseing layer in a packet, all u got to do is emptey the caseing layer on top of the spawned compost and keep moist with a spray bottle, then put the lid back on upside down.
I have not started it yet, but I will be sreralising my propergater then will be giving them a try inthere in my room, its way to cold to grow them in my garadge yet, but at ...£3.49 I am not complating.
Josh,
um how anouying it dose not acturly tell u what mushrooms just ses taylors bulbs mushroom growkit, the pic looks like button mushrooms if u ask me, on the side its got a complete grow giuld and to do and not to do.
inside theres a polistyreen tub lets say its 10 x 5 inc I cant find a ruler.
then inside the tube theres allready spawned compost, then on top theres a black lid, then inside the lide is your caseing layer in a packet, all u got to do is emptey the caseing layer on top of the spawned compost and keep moist with a spray bottle, then put the lid back on upside down.
I have not started it yet, but I will be sreralising my propergater then will be giving them a try inthere in my room, its way to cold to grow them in my garadge yet, but at ...£3.49 I am not complating.
Josh,
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applestar
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Post some photos josh. I'd love to see the mushrooms you're growing. 
Here's a photo of that Oyster mushroom spawn in pint jar:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6238.jpg[/img]
It seemed like they had possibilities in the beginning:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6241.jpg[/img]
But the experts were right and shiitake bags have green mold "blooms" all over now, so they're going out into the compost pile. (Best not to bother trying to "save" contaminated substrates) It's just as well: Now that I've been perusing about different Shiitake strains, it appears that the ones sold as indoor kits are not necessarily suited for outdoor cultivation, so I'll get fresh spawns of a couple of strains that fruit at different times of the year. The Oysters are still doing well, however.
Here's another one that's still managing to grow. I've redefined the term "Hanging Pot"
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6265.jpg[/img]
Fungus gnats are a problem. They do seem to enjoy floral shampoo water to drown in
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6267.jpg[/img]
I've collected more Oyster mushroom spores and will be making another attempt at agar culture soon.
Here's a photo of that Oyster mushroom spawn in pint jar:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6238.jpg[/img]
It seemed like they had possibilities in the beginning:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6241.jpg[/img]
But the experts were right and shiitake bags have green mold "blooms" all over now, so they're going out into the compost pile. (Best not to bother trying to "save" contaminated substrates) It's just as well: Now that I've been perusing about different Shiitake strains, it appears that the ones sold as indoor kits are not necessarily suited for outdoor cultivation, so I'll get fresh spawns of a couple of strains that fruit at different times of the year. The Oysters are still doing well, however.
Here's another one that's still managing to grow. I've redefined the term "Hanging Pot"
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6265.jpg[/img]
Fungus gnats are a problem. They do seem to enjoy floral shampoo water to drown in
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6267.jpg[/img]I've collected more Oyster mushroom spores and will be making another attempt at agar culture soon.
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gixxerific
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joshbuchan
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sorry for me really late reply,
the ones that did not get infected look grate! and the oysters look really yummy
how do u keep them warm? I got a propergater I am thinking of putting them in but I dnt know if that will be to hot, I will not put the top on.
I am planing to start them 2moz, got everything ready.
the ones that did not get infected look grate! and the oysters look really yummy
how do u keep them warm? I got a propergater I am thinking of putting them in but I dnt know if that will be to hot, I will not put the top on.
I am planing to start them 2moz, got everything ready.
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The Helpful Gardener
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And you look like one too!I feel like a mad scientist....
I am most impressed AS; I have not tryed this yet but want to try some mushroom logs as a precursor to hugelkultur growing; think the combo just fits. Soil's oil sounds like a really easy and cool way to do that...
but you are actually doing it already. And don't be surprised at the occasional countercultured pathogen; my friend [url=https://www.wtic.com/pages/16256.php?]Len[/url] did this for years for a big commercial operation and says that's WAY more common than people know (he was a plant pathologist who knows fungal stuff as well as plants0 maybe I can suck him in here one of these days). But you have harvested and eaten and inspired others to do the same and THAT is something to be proud of...
HG
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applestar
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Why thank you, HG.And you look like one too!
Sounds like a good number of us will be throwing around 'shroom jargons like PC's, teks, casings, etc. very soon, and adding the 8th layer to our Permaculture (or however you define it) gardens... and save the world or Earth....
(:oops: I think I'm babbling)Peeked in the jars a little earlier (had just about given up on them and hadn't looked for a few days) -- one jar (Shiitake spores) had two patches of mold growing on them so I flushed it; another jar (Oyster spores) have fluffy white hyphae all over the surface and starting up the sides!
I wasn't as careful with the jars as I should've been, thinking they're probably toast. Anyway, tomorrow, I'll definitely prep the agar and culture samples out of them and see what happens, as well as try growing some more Oyster spores. I'll also post a photo of my new (as of today) Mushroom Grow Area set up as well.
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joshbuchan
- Senior Member
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- Location: Clevedon, UK
were r u getting your spores from?
I seen at cabrey garden center they are selling like 7 diffront types of dryed mushrooms sporses and 3 cardboard slabs to grow them in!
they have shiitake, orysters, pink oyster!, button and a good 5 6 more!
they are very cheap aswell, with a guide on the back telling u how to grow.
I am going to get some.
I was just woundering do u put any bleach in the water in the spray gun?
I seen at cabrey garden center they are selling like 7 diffront types of dryed mushrooms sporses and 3 cardboard slabs to grow them in!
they have shiitake, orysters, pink oyster!, button and a good 5 6 more!
they are very cheap aswell, with a guide on the back telling u how to grow.
I am going to get some.
I was just woundering do u put any bleach in the water in the spray gun?
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applestar
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Interesting! I imagine I could find some local myco enthusiasts/society/club but haven't yet. I originally got the SPAWN (not spores) from Fungi Perfecti but have been collecting my own spores since the mushrooms started to fruit.
I don't believe in bleach. I use hydrogen peroxide which mushrooms can digest but DOES hurt you (learned that the hard way -- if you don't rinse off right away, your skin starts to turn white and dry up) and rubbing alcohol (which seems to be better for rubbing all over your hands... duh! -- directed at myself, not you )
It turned out that 3 out of 5 agar cultures were growing something: 1 Oyster spore, 1 Oyster clone, and 1 Shiitake spore.
Here are 2 of them:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6297.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6306.jpg[/img]
Aside from the one that I flushed earlier, there was one other Oyster clone culture that was doing nada:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6309.jpg[/img]
so compared to this one, the other 3 seemed alive and well.
According to my notes, I
-Used a 50-qt clear storage tote as a "clean room" -- laid it on side, thoroughly wiped out with alcohol, kept the lid clamped on when not in use
(according to the full instruction for this box, you're supposed to cut a hole on the bottom of the box and silicone seal a small HEPA air cleaner outflow to it to make a clean airflow box -- oh well, one step at a time)
And on Monday 2/1, I made:
(1) Weck jars of Oyster spores, collected 1/30/10 on black construction paper <1> <2> <3> -- taped the lids closed.
(2) 1/15 PRSYA (Potato Rice Syrup Yeast Agar) cultured Shiitake spores <4> <5> and Oyster spores <6> and Oyster clone <7> mycelia. -- alcohol-wiped plastic bag/sheet+ring lids -- Cut a piece off the myceliated agar and placed it hyphae side down on block of RSEYA (mycelial sandwich)
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6304.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6313.jpg[/img]
***
Filled a roasting bag with substrate and PC'd for 2 hrs.
Filled 1 pint jar. Boil/steamed remaining substrate in pasta pot for 2 hrs, placing the filled pint jar and an empty qt jar on top to steam pasteurize as well.
<1> Filled the pasteurized qt jar with PC sterilized substrate in 4 layers, sandwiching 3 Shiitake spore agar pcs between each layer (9 pcs total)
<2> Alcohol wiped, then Peroxide sprayed a squat jar, filled with PC sterilized substrate in 2 layers, sandwiching 3 Oyster clone agar pcs -- weaker growth than Oyster spore agar -- (3 pcs total)
<3> Buried 3 Oyster spore agar pcs in the Pint jar pasteurized substrate
<4> The pint jar "grain" spawn that was allowed to fruit 1x in December -- removed the top 1" of the substrate and used the remainder to inoculate 1/2 roasting bag. Alcohol wiped, then cut a hole in the bag -- taped closed with bandage tape
<5> Washed, alcohol sprayed, then peroxide sprayed the pint jar then mixed the top 1" spawn with substrate and filled the jar.
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6316.jpg[/img]
Not boring you with these details, I hope. I *may* add some photos to this post later on, but no time now. Ta da.
ETA: My new Mushroom Room. (You like the new use I found for the room de-ordorizing doo-dad that was popular on TV infomercials last year?)
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6295.jpg[/img]
I don't believe in bleach. I use hydrogen peroxide which mushrooms can digest but DOES hurt you (learned that the hard way -- if you don't rinse off right away, your skin starts to turn white and dry up) and rubbing alcohol (which seems to be better for rubbing all over your hands... duh!
-- directed at myself, not you ) It turned out that 3 out of 5 agar cultures were growing something: 1 Oyster spore, 1 Oyster clone, and 1 Shiitake spore.
Here are 2 of them:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6297.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6306.jpg[/img]
Aside from the one that I flushed earlier, there was one other Oyster clone culture that was doing nada:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6309.jpg[/img]
so compared to this one, the other 3 seemed alive and well.
According to my notes, I
-Used a 50-qt clear storage tote as a "clean room" -- laid it on side, thoroughly wiped out with alcohol, kept the lid clamped on when not in use
(according to the full instruction for this box, you're supposed to cut a hole on the bottom of the box and silicone seal a small HEPA air cleaner outflow to it to make a clean airflow box -- oh well, one step at a time)
And on Monday 2/1, I made:
(1) Weck jars of Oyster spores, collected 1/30/10 on black construction paper <1> <2> <3> -- taped the lids closed.
(2) 1/15 PRSYA (Potato Rice Syrup Yeast Agar) cultured Shiitake spores <4> <5> and Oyster spores <6> and Oyster clone <7> mycelia. -- alcohol-wiped plastic bag/sheet+ring lids -- Cut a piece off the myceliated agar and placed it hyphae side down on block of RSEYA (mycelial sandwich)
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6304.jpg[/img] [img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6313.jpg[/img]
***
Filled a roasting bag with substrate and PC'd for 2 hrs.
Filled 1 pint jar. Boil/steamed remaining substrate in pasta pot for 2 hrs, placing the filled pint jar and an empty qt jar on top to steam pasteurize as well.
<1> Filled the pasteurized qt jar with PC sterilized substrate in 4 layers, sandwiching 3 Shiitake spore agar pcs between each layer (9 pcs total)
<2> Alcohol wiped, then Peroxide sprayed a squat jar, filled with PC sterilized substrate in 2 layers, sandwiching 3 Oyster clone agar pcs -- weaker growth than Oyster spore agar -- (3 pcs total)
<3> Buried 3 Oyster spore agar pcs in the Pint jar pasteurized substrate
<4> The pint jar "grain" spawn that was allowed to fruit 1x in December -- removed the top 1" of the substrate and used the remainder to inoculate 1/2 roasting bag. Alcohol wiped, then cut a hole in the bag -- taped closed with bandage tape
<5> Washed, alcohol sprayed, then peroxide sprayed the pint jar then mixed the top 1" spawn with substrate and filled the jar.
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6316.jpg[/img]
Not boring you with these details, I hope. I *may* add some photos to this post later on, but no time now. Ta da.
ETA: My new Mushroom Room. (You like the new use I found for the room de-ordorizing doo-dad that was popular on TV infomercials last year?)
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6295.jpg[/img]
Last edited by applestar on Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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joshbuchan
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- Location: Clevedon, UK
wow thank you so much for all that detail!!
so what did u use for your susbstrat?
I cant wait to get things going, I just need to make a cleen room with some gloves inthe side
I bought a msuhroom foriging book, it was the river cottage one acturly so when its time I want to go up the woods hunting some wield ones aswell
so what did u use for your susbstrat?
I cant wait to get things going, I just need to make a cleen room with some gloves inthe side
I bought a msuhroom foriging book, it was the river cottage one acturly
so when its time I want to go up the woods hunting some wield ones aswell -
Ozark Lady
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- Location: NW Arkansas, USA zone 7A elevation 1561 feet
Apple, you are in big trouble!
I have more projects now than I can do! And I am so fascinated with mushroom growing, that I have been in You tube looking at the many ways of accomplishing this, all before Gixx pointed out this thread to me.
I saved alot of you tube links, to go back and view them again later.
They are fascinating. And in one, the farmer said, he just steams the mushroom growing medium when he is done with it, and puts in on his land. Hmmm... seems to me that the left over soil would be special for the garden. I wonder if you could put earth worms in it following the mushroom culture to turn it all into casings and have a real bonanza!
Here are some of the interesting mushroom videos that I was watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz6qgRCD0_I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9eE1hcA2t8&feature=fvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGWjZXDstbc&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pibnCO3HKHI&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-bAdvxEhg&feature=fvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfpkPJw32f0&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdNRJ_zt6vQ&feature=related
A wise man takes a multitude of counsel. Since this is new to me, I think if I try several different methods and compare them, then I should see which works best for me. I notice you also tried variations.
My issue and still not totally found, is how to get from a spore on mushroom to a new culture in a jar. I need to re-watch these...
I also found a place where you order mushrooms like they are garden seeds. https://m.italianseedandtool.com/results.cgis?catalog=ISATFULL&keywords=mushrooms
I have more projects now than I can do! And I am so fascinated with mushroom growing, that I have been in You tube looking at the many ways of accomplishing this, all before Gixx pointed out this thread to me.
I saved alot of you tube links, to go back and view them again later.
They are fascinating. And in one, the farmer said, he just steams the mushroom growing medium when he is done with it, and puts in on his land. Hmmm... seems to me that the left over soil would be special for the garden. I wonder if you could put earth worms in it following the mushroom culture to turn it all into casings and have a real bonanza!
Here are some of the interesting mushroom videos that I was watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz6qgRCD0_I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9eE1hcA2t8&feature=fvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGWjZXDstbc&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pibnCO3HKHI&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-bAdvxEhg&feature=fvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfpkPJw32f0&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdNRJ_zt6vQ&feature=related
A wise man takes a multitude of counsel. Since this is new to me, I think if I try several different methods and compare them, then I should see which works best for me. I notice you also tried variations.
My issue and still not totally found, is how to get from a spore on mushroom to a new culture in a jar. I need to re-watch these...
I also found a place where you order mushrooms like they are garden seeds. https://m.italianseedandtool.com/results.cgis?catalog=ISATFULL&keywords=mushrooms
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syntheticbutterfly
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- Location: Rojales, Alicante Spain
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Ozark Lady
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- Location: NW Arkansas, USA zone 7A elevation 1561 feet
I am not sure about the warmth, but the best time for me to find some mushrooms is ... as soon as this snow clears out.
Then others will pop up as the season gets warmer.
In this video they grew mushroom in a brick looking building, looks dark and they used a candle for light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz6qgRCD0_I
I found many different ways of growing mushrooms, surely there is a way to fit every single one of us...
For me, it is just getting brave enough, and some spores, or plugs and trying it...
Then others will pop up as the season gets warmer.
In this video they grew mushroom in a brick looking building, looks dark and they used a candle for light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz6qgRCD0_I
I found many different ways of growing mushrooms, surely there is a way to fit every single one of us...
For me, it is just getting brave enough, and some spores, or plugs and trying it...
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syntheticbutterfly
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- Location: Rojales, Alicante Spain
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applestar
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It all depends on what kind of mushrooms you're growing as well as which strain (which, I think of as myco-speak for "cultivar"). According to Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms by P. Stamets, Oyster P. ostreatus mushrooms (1000~1500 < 2000 lux) and Shiitake L. Edodes mushrooms (500~2000 lux at 370~420 nm.) require quite bit of light to fruit at 50~70ºF But they need higher 75~80ºF temp and no~minimal light to spawn. Other mushrooms fruit at 80~90ºF in 250~750 lux or 45~60ºF in 100~200 lux.
There are other critical parameters such as humidity, preferred/essential substrate, casing ("mulch") requirements, etc.
I think the Button Agaricus Bunnescens mushroom is the one typically thought of as growing in composted manure in dark caves with minimal light. But really, there are many others to choose from too.
On the whole though, indoor cultivation is said to be more difficult due to environmental issues and contamination issues. Outdoor cultivation is said to select for healthier/sturdier strain. I guess I'll find out.
For first time successful indoor experience, I think buying a spawn kit that is ready to fruit is the most enjoyable way to go, and as I stated before, P. ostreatus was as easy to grow as they said.
Look for a reputable source. I could sell you a bag of spawn right now (I have two, one is ready to go) but you can see my history and level of experience right here. No, I'm not selling mine, but my point is made.
There are other critical parameters such as humidity, preferred/essential substrate, casing ("mulch") requirements, etc.
I think the Button Agaricus Bunnescens mushroom is the one typically thought of as growing in composted manure in dark caves with minimal light. But really, there are many others to choose from too.
On the whole though, indoor cultivation is said to be more difficult due to environmental issues and contamination issues. Outdoor cultivation is said to select for healthier/sturdier strain. I guess I'll find out.
For first time successful indoor experience, I think buying a spawn kit that is ready to fruit is the most enjoyable way to go, and as I stated before, P. ostreatus was as easy to grow as they said.
Look for a reputable source. I could sell you a bag of spawn right now (I have two, one is ready to go) but you can see my history and level of experience right here.
No, I'm not selling mine, but my point is made. -
Ozark Lady
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- Location: NW Arkansas, USA zone 7A elevation 1561 feet
Apple, did you make your own spawn?
I get lost when they take the spore, and mix it with agar, I know some kind of seaweed, I see the ingredient occasionally on products. Beyond that I know nothing about agar. And one used raw potatoes with the agar.
I do agree that us beginners would do better to start with a kit, and then once we have a bit of experience, branch out.
But, I never do anything the easy way. I plan to use real mushrooms, found in the woods and try from there. So, when it fails, I can remember... take your own advice... use a kit next time, dummy!
I get lost when they take the spore, and mix it with agar, I know some kind of seaweed, I see the ingredient occasionally on products. Beyond that I know nothing about agar. And one used raw potatoes with the agar.
I do agree that us beginners would do better to start with a kit, and then once we have a bit of experience, branch out.
But, I never do anything the easy way. I plan to use real mushrooms, found in the woods and try from there. So, when it fails, I can remember... take your own advice... use a kit next time, dummy!
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applestar
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What kind of mushrooms are they? I can't wait for you to start!
Couple of things I've heard (and forgive me, I haven't had chance to check out the video links you've posted so these may be redundant)
- Morels take really well to burned out ground. Bonfire site was mentioned. Scattering hardwood ash and charcoal is definitely a plus. Scatter/burying whole morels in a prepared bed was mentioned somewhere too.
- Consider propagating the mycelium/spawn from stem butts - when you collect wild mushrooms, pull up some of the "roots" with the stem. Cut off the bottom 1/2"~1" of the stem with the attached mycelium and bury in layers of moistened substrate. Fresh stem butts of wild mushrooms are hardier than cloning from subcap cuttings and are less prone to succumb to contamination. Downside is that not all mushrooms grow well from stem butts. There's a list in Mycelium Running.
- It sounds like you have dry conditions there, so look for a bowl-like depression/swale that would collect water. In the bowl or downslope from the bowl would contain underground reservoir of water.
- Of course you have wetter area near the pond. If it's rather sunny and not enough wooded shade, look into field mushrooms that prefer grassy shade.
- I would consider possibly pumping some of the pond water up the slope
- Consider inoculating living tree stumps (something I couldn't possibly do, but it sound like a possibility for you)
Couple of things I've heard (and forgive me, I haven't had chance to check out the video links you've posted so these may be redundant)
- Morels take really well to burned out ground. Bonfire site was mentioned. Scattering hardwood ash and charcoal is definitely a plus. Scatter/burying whole morels in a prepared bed was mentioned somewhere too.
- Consider propagating the mycelium/spawn from stem butts - when you collect wild mushrooms, pull up some of the "roots" with the stem. Cut off the bottom 1/2"~1" of the stem with the attached mycelium and bury in layers of moistened substrate. Fresh stem butts of wild mushrooms are hardier than cloning from subcap cuttings and are less prone to succumb to contamination. Downside is that not all mushrooms grow well from stem butts. There's a list in Mycelium Running.
- It sounds like you have dry conditions there, so look for a bowl-like depression/swale that would collect water. In the bowl or downslope from the bowl would contain underground reservoir of water.
- Of course you have wetter area near the pond. If it's rather sunny and not enough wooded shade, look into field mushrooms that prefer grassy shade.
- I would consider possibly pumping some of the pond water up the slope
- Consider inoculating living tree stumps (something I couldn't possibly do, but it sound like a possibility for you)
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Ozark Lady
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- Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: NW Arkansas, USA zone 7A elevation 1561 feet
The snow isn't gone yet. But, usually it will be corals, this early in the season. Then maybe bear paws..
Aren't morels more summer type? I didn't know morels could even be cultured, other than on sneakers..
In my neck of the woods, oysters are a rare find... and I honestly have found so few, I will need to review when to find them. But they are really tasty too.
I didn't think about living tree stumps... they don't send up limbs anymore, but I have tree stumps all over the garden, I use them to set stuff on all the time... they are dead, but strong and rooted... mostly oak, maybe a hickory or two.
In one you tube video the guy innoculated a log, it looked pretty strong, not sure how aged it was. But he used plugs and sealed it up with wax at each plug hole and the cut ends.
I don't think it is dry here... in August some years it is pretty dry...
It feels dry when hot dry air is blasting out of Texas and Oklahoma... but it isn't really so dry... humid is more appropriate...
Benton County, AR, gets 45 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 11 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 93.
On average, there are 217 sunny days per year in Benton County, AR. The July high is around 90 degrees. The January low is 25. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 33 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
I like the suggestions... but first things first... I need to get ready to start some mushrooms... hmm. If I find some before I am ready, think I can freeze them... they freeze in nature.
Aren't morels more summer type? I didn't know morels could even be cultured, other than on sneakers..
In my neck of the woods, oysters are a rare find... and I honestly have found so few, I will need to review when to find them. But they are really tasty too.
I didn't think about living tree stumps... they don't send up limbs anymore, but I have tree stumps all over the garden, I use them to set stuff on all the time... they are dead, but strong and rooted... mostly oak, maybe a hickory or two.
In one you tube video the guy innoculated a log, it looked pretty strong, not sure how aged it was. But he used plugs and sealed it up with wax at each plug hole and the cut ends.
I don't think it is dry here... in August some years it is pretty dry...
It feels dry when hot dry air is blasting out of Texas and Oklahoma... but it isn't really so dry... humid is more appropriate...
Benton County, AR, gets 45 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 11 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 93.
On average, there are 217 sunny days per year in Benton County, AR. The July high is around 90 degrees. The January low is 25. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 33 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
I like the suggestions... but first things first... I need to get ready to start some mushrooms... hmm. If I find some before I am ready, think I can freeze them... they freeze in nature.
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applestar
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- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
applestar wrote:(I have two, one is ready to go) but you can see my history and level of experience right here. Rolling Eyes No, I'm not selling mine, but my point is made.
Ozark Lady wrote:Apple, did you make your own spawn?
It turns out I have three bags. Two from 1/11, described in an earlier post, one of which is a Paper Towel substrate, that are ready to go, and one from the beginning of the month. These are all third generation leap-frogged spawn from the original spawn purchased back in November.
Last edited by applestar on Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
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syntheticbutterfly
- Cool Member
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:24 am
- Location: Rojales, Alicante Spain
Yesterday I tried to buy myself a oyster mushroom grow kit online and had a lot of issues. The UK seed suppliers who also have the mushroom kits won't deliver them to Spain. I can't bring myself to order one from the USA or further afield because that just seems silly....
And most irritating is I'm having great difficulty finding a supplier in Spain- I must have tried about 40 different search strings on google last night and didn't get anywhere. Anyone able to suggest anywhere online that I could buy these?
And most irritating is I'm having great difficulty finding a supplier in Spain- I must have tried about 40 different search strings on google last night and didn't get anywhere. Anyone able to suggest anywhere online that I could buy these?
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Ozark Lady
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- Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: NW Arkansas, USA zone 7A elevation 1561 feet
Necessity is the mother of invention.
If you can't find any in Spain. How about doing research on growing your own. Then just take a walk out in the country, at various seasons, and a good mushroom guidebook, lots of waxpaper, or brown paper bags, and get your own mushrooms. Once you get a positive id... the mushroom is a good one... start your own culture.
I know, for us beginners a kit would be the easiest way to go...
But, necessity does not always allow the easiest way...
I wonder if mushrooms from the grocers still have spores and can be induced to grow from them?
You may have to get "creative" and do-it-yourself!
Good luck!
If you can't find any in Spain. How about doing research on growing your own. Then just take a walk out in the country, at various seasons, and a good mushroom guidebook, lots of waxpaper, or brown paper bags, and get your own mushrooms. Once you get a positive id... the mushroom is a good one... start your own culture.
I know, for us beginners a kit would be the easiest way to go...
But, necessity does not always allow the easiest way...
I wonder if mushrooms from the grocers still have spores and can be induced to grow from them?
You may have to get "creative" and do-it-yourself!
Good luck!
-
applestar
- Mod
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- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
A photo-update on my attempts to grow from spores:
Looks pretty good doesn't it? Things are definitely growing in there.
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6376.jpg[/img]
Here are some close ups:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6383.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6384.jpg[/img]
But actually, there have been some mold contams.
I have to prep more agar and see if I can manage to clean up the cultures. For the time being, I've excised the mold and wiped down with alcohol but I'm not entirely sure if that was enough. There are two that are still completely clean and showing vigorous growth (Happily, one of them is a Shiitake spore culture); another one is clean but is very slow growing and may indicate unseen (bacterial) contamination.
And the latest Oyster Mushroom crop:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6396.jpg[/img]
---
@syntheticbutterfly
As much as I recommend the ready-to-grow spawn for first time set-yourself-up-to-succeed experience, as you can see, you *can* learn to grow them from spores, clone them, or propagate them from stem butts. If you decide to do this, get the freshest mushrooms you can -- from a farmer's market rather than a supermarket/grocery store. We're approaching the spring mushroom season, so you'll have plenty of chances to experiment.
Although it's entirely possible that my agar cultures could fail completely in the near future, at least I'm getting to practice. I'll figure it out yet.
Looks pretty good doesn't it? Things are definitely growing in there.
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6376.jpg[/img]
Here are some close ups:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6383.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6384.jpg[/img]
But actually, there have been some mold contams.
I have to prep more agar and see if I can manage to clean up the cultures. For the time being, I've excised the mold and wiped down with alcohol but I'm not entirely sure if that was enough. There are two that are still completely clean and showing vigorous growth (Happily, one of them is a Shiitake spore culture); another one is clean but is very slow growing and may indicate unseen (bacterial) contamination.And the latest Oyster Mushroom crop:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6396.jpg[/img]
---
@syntheticbutterfly
As much as I recommend the ready-to-grow spawn for first time set-yourself-up-to-succeed experience, as you can see, you *can* learn to grow them from spores, clone them, or propagate them from stem butts. If you decide to do this, get the freshest mushrooms you can -- from a farmer's market rather than a supermarket/grocery store. We're approaching the spring mushroom season, so you'll have plenty of chances to experiment.
Although it's entirely possible that my agar cultures could fail completely in the near future, at least I'm getting to practice. I'll figure it out yet.
-
Ozark Lady
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applestar
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If you mean the ones with taped shut glass lids , they're Weck canning jars and Lehman's has them. They're used with rubber gaskets and come with plastic lids for storing opened jars. They're ridiculously expensive compared to Mason and Ball jars, but I really love the way they look and work and I get a few every so often. They are only good for Hot Water Bath and Steam canning. Pressure Canning skews the rubber gaskets off the rim.
The squat ones are Ball canning jars -- I think these are new designs. I used a piece of ziplock freezer bag with the ring.
Agar is made from seaweed. They come in flakes as well as powders -- looks just like gelatin powder. Basically works the same way except agar needs to be boiled to set and they set when cooled to room temperature. There are several agar media recipes that you can find on the internet, but I can post them tomorrow (it's past midnight here and I really should be in bed!)
The squat ones are Ball canning jars -- I think these are new designs. I used a piece of ziplock freezer bag with the ring.
Agar is made from seaweed. They come in flakes as well as powders -- looks just like gelatin powder. Basically works the same way except agar needs to be boiled to set and they set when cooled to room temperature. There are several agar media recipes that you can find on the internet, but I can post them tomorrow (it's past midnight here and I really should be in bed!)
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applestar
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This is likely to be close to the last indoor mushroom fruiting, although I still have the bag of sawdust spawn I made and TP roll spawn, as well as 2 pt jars and 1 squat jar that are slowly growing. It's getting a bit too warm inside, plus the sun is starting to reach the WNW window where I set up the Mushroom Room:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6540.jpg[/img]
I've put the large block of spawn originally growing in the pasta pot insert outside. Another experiment (of course! ) -- broke it up and packed it mixed with wet straw in a largish corrugated cardboard box, which was just the right dimension to fit stacked flakes of straw. Luckily it rained today so the CCBbox was also completely soaked, as was the pile of straw that I covered it with. It's sitting in an area of the garden that I'm pretty sure will remain mostly shady and relatively moist since there was a big puddle there already.
I have to figure out what to do with the spores and clones. I have one of the jars in front of me -- Oyster spores grown on Rice Syrup Yeast Agar -- that has been completely taken over by green mold. The others are still doing well -- some have thoroughly colonized the agar block -- in the original jars inside my "clean room" tub. They need to be "leaped off" to the next substrate.
Things are getting pretty busy around here with spring seed starting and all, but I should really try making some grain spawn, THEN figure out what to do after that. Grain spawn is fast growing and good for inoculating bran fortified sawdust substrate or wooden plugs. Sawdust spawn is good for inoculating logs and stumps (especially if the sawdust consisted of same wood species) though you need proper tools to inoculate logs. Plug spawn is the easy way to inoculate logs -- all you need is a drill and a rubber mallet with beeswax or cheesewax to seal them in.
I still really want to start some Shiitake on oak logs. I have to get those branches cut down and order some shiitake plug spawn. I emailed Field and Forest for strain recommendations and they said if I start them early spring this year, they should fruit next summer. I'm forced to make some budget cuts, so I'm foregoing the H. ulmarius/Garden Oysters this year, but will continue to experiment with the Pearl Oysters since I've got so much growing. (My concern is that the very aggressive nature of these Pearl Oysters that make them relatively easy for a beginner like me, might mean they'll "take over the garden".... or not. Maybe it'll mean they'll survive, despite me and all my bumbling and become a welcome addition to my garden edibles.
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6540.jpg[/img]
I've put the large block of spawn originally growing in the pasta pot insert outside. Another experiment (of course!
) -- broke it up and packed it mixed with wet straw in a largish corrugated cardboard box, which was just the right dimension to fit stacked flakes of straw. Luckily it rained today so the CCBbox was also completely soaked, as was the pile of straw that I covered it with. It's sitting in an area of the garden that I'm pretty sure will remain mostly shady and relatively moist since there was a big puddle there already.I have to figure out what to do with the spores and clones. I have one of the jars in front of me -- Oyster spores grown on Rice Syrup Yeast Agar -- that has been completely taken over by green mold. The others are still doing well -- some have thoroughly colonized the agar block -- in the original jars inside my "clean room" tub. They need to be "leaped off" to the next substrate.
Things are getting pretty busy around here with spring seed starting and all, but I should really try making some grain spawn, THEN figure out what to do after that. Grain spawn is fast growing and good for inoculating bran fortified sawdust substrate or wooden plugs. Sawdust spawn is good for inoculating logs and stumps (especially if the sawdust consisted of same wood species) though you need proper tools to inoculate logs. Plug spawn is the easy way to inoculate logs -- all you need is a drill and a rubber mallet with beeswax or cheesewax to seal them in.
I still really want to start some Shiitake on oak logs. I have to get those branches cut down and order some shiitake plug spawn. I emailed Field and Forest for strain recommendations and they said if I start them early spring this year, they should fruit next summer. I'm forced to make some budget cuts, so I'm foregoing the H. ulmarius/Garden Oysters this year, but will continue to experiment with the Pearl Oysters since I've got so much growing. (My concern is that the very aggressive nature of these Pearl Oysters that make them relatively easy for a beginner like me, might mean they'll "take over the garden".... or not. Maybe it'll mean they'll survive, despite me and all my bumbling
and become a welcome addition to my garden edibles. -
Ozark Lady
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 1862
- Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: NW Arkansas, USA zone 7A elevation 1561 feet
I am not familiar with growing mushrooms.
But, oyster mushrooms are not invasive in a woodland setting.
I find them once in a great while growing on a log, or dead tree.
Usually there is just a nice clump, and no more. And often when you return, nothing. So they do not take over when they are in the 'wild'.
I have walked and looked repeatedly, it must still be just a little too early for mushrooms here yet.
I know that coral mushrooms come out early, but they are not so common here.
If you ever find them though, they are tasty. They literally look like corals growing, many small fingers all pointing upward. You don't really want the brown looking ones, they are past their prime, the whiter the better taste.
I just can't wait for oyster and morel season here, and I am seriously considering ordering some. But, Apple, you are probably right, with my garden kicking into full gear. I got that peach tree pruned today, whew, just in time, the apricot tree already has leaf tufts showing!
And my daffodils are in bloom! Hey granddaughter is 6 and turning into a gardner... she saw something growing, said, "grandma, garlic is growing in the path". It was egyptian onion that had escaped, but she was close!
How do mushrooms do in summer? If we hold off while in garden frenzy, during the lull, when they are all growing, we might find some time for mushrooms.
But, oyster mushrooms are not invasive in a woodland setting.
I find them once in a great while growing on a log, or dead tree.
Usually there is just a nice clump, and no more. And often when you return, nothing. So they do not take over when they are in the 'wild'.
I have walked and looked repeatedly, it must still be just a little too early for mushrooms here yet.
I know that coral mushrooms come out early, but they are not so common here.
If you ever find them though, they are tasty. They literally look like corals growing, many small fingers all pointing upward. You don't really want the brown looking ones, they are past their prime, the whiter the better taste.
I just can't wait for oyster and morel season here, and I am seriously considering ordering some. But, Apple, you are probably right, with my garden kicking into full gear. I got that peach tree pruned today, whew, just in time, the apricot tree already has leaf tufts showing!
And my daffodils are in bloom! Hey granddaughter is 6 and turning into a gardner... she saw something growing, said, "grandma, garlic is growing in the path". It was egyptian onion that had escaped, but she was close!
How do mushrooms do in summer? If we hold off while in garden frenzy, during the lull, when they are all growing, we might find some time for mushrooms.
Last year I planted winecap and blewitt mushrooms in the woods behind my house in wood chips. I did see the mycillium gwing but I never got a mushroom...I suppose the deer prints tell the tale or tail. this year I am trying again with plugs in a shaded bed against the house with onions and garlic in it. That way I'll be able to keep a better eye on it and keep it moist easier.I will be using dowel plug spawn on some stumps and logs. I fall trees across the slope- to make 'dead wood swales'. This ist first season trying it, so I don't know how well it works. But I have oyster , and lion's mane dowels. Spreading 'king stropheria' spawn on straw too. Its some ideas I got from the book 'Mycelium Running.'