Shroombee is right, I am still growing with no pressure cooker. I steam sterilize all my cakes and grain jars in a pot of boiling water, just a regular pot and lid. I do at least two sessions per set of jars, 24 hours apart, to allow for germination of any endospores. Doing this three times is called fractional sterilization, or Tyndallization, named for the scientist who invented the procedure. I am getting a PC soon. I want the 22 qt Mirro jiggle top.
Substrate is straight coir, I hydrate a brick in a bucket and use out of the bucket till I need make up another brick. I thinking that now I'm moving to doing grains, I will add some vermiculite to the coir.
Ratio for shredding cakes to coir is one part colonized cake to one part coir. So for each tub I make using four half pint cakes, I added four heaping half pints coir.
For grain spawn I am using a ratio of 1:3 spawn/coir. So, twelve half pints coir to four half pint millet jars.
I just started casing, the tub with the awesome pinset and full canopy was my first cased tub. I used this method...
Top Layer/Pseudo Casing **This method is for clean/healthy spawn only, do not attempt to add questionable spawn to an increased volume of substrate/water.** In my quest for efficient time and materials
www.shroomery.org
Basically, you just make up your tub like usual, then add a one inch or so layer of straight coir over the top, and pack it down a little. I am doing all my boxes like this from now on, I cannot argue with the results...
I don't mist or fan at all. All I do is make the tubs, and peek in on them way too much. There is plenty enough water in the block of substrate in my experience. Maybe for subsequent flush will mist a little if the substrate looks dry. These little tubs are great little all in one self containing mushroom grow chambers. Let's hear it for Sterilite!!!
I am super excited, I just got a bunch of spore prints in the mail!!! Aa+, Fiji, Mazapatec, African Transkei, Treasure Coast, dude sent two of everything cause he knows I'm just starting out, what a guy!! I am going to grow and print everything, so I will have lots of prints to share with you guys!!!
Soon as I get that PC the first thing I will make is some agar plates. I am expecting some Melmac swabs and I am very excited about growing this variety!!!
Anyways yeah this is lots of fun and thank you my friends for stopping in to check it out !!