finally the board is back!!!

[jrfungi]

  I have a mono working right now and have some questions.

1. why is everything side pinning?
2. i know a mono is suppose to provide humidity and FAE but i am running about 80% RH?
3. Notice the light and dark caps? What is up with that? These are the largest fruits i have had yet but I am not sure everything is doing right?
4. What can i do to get a more even pin set? Does that just come with experience?
These are a-strain, 76 degrees, All help is appreciated!
5. Does the Tub look OK or should I change something?

[sin2win]

first off how deep is ure sub and what bulk did u spawn to?

-i use a garbage bag to help prevent side pinning (it sticks to the sub and "shrinks" with it.)
  Pinning forms where its  conditions are ideal, there's a higher RH on the sides hence the side pinning. you can  try putting a sheet of wax paper over on top of your substrate to trap more moisture near the surface. here a little on the wax paper http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/9681926#9681926 , other wise fan and mist . 

I know a monotub is set and put away but a lot of ppl (me sometimes) fan and mist.  Low RH is the usual suspect for cracked caps.

[Baphom3t]

The splitting is due to lack of RH.

"What can i do to get a more even pin set? Does that just come with experience?"

To get a more even pin set you should try and make the casing as level as possible and also try not doing a multi spore grow.
Multi spore grows are notorious for uneven pinsets.
And yes it does come with a bit of expeirence to get even pin sets.

Baph

[jrfungi]

Thanks guys i will try all of that on the next one.

So here I should just let it do what it will do and hope for the best?

Baph, not growing multi spore? Does that involve cloning with agar? LC? What is the best way in your opinion for a noob to try this?

Sin, it is WBS with verm coir casing about and inch and a half.

I thought I got it pretty level? MAYBE NOT!!!!

Thanks for all your help!!

JR

[sin2win]

not growing from MS u have to isolate a strain by sectoring the mycelium on petri dishes.  I havnt yet gone into that and dont plan to for the next month or 2 but ive read a lot about it. 

<it is WBS with verm coir casing about and inch and a half.

well i know most ppl in a mono have a sub depth of 4-5 inch.  i do mine with that depth with great results. i use 4-5 jars as spawn and the rest a mix of coir, verm, spent coffee (<--- tried it works pretty good). here a link ive used my 1st time... not too long ago but already did a lot of monos!
]http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5930161/an/0/page/0]<< Mono tek

here's a cool project, some ppl say there's no need to case bulk subs link: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/9524148/an/0/page/0

this might help u also, its a spawn calculator, it'll tell u how quarts of spawn and bulk u need to reach ure depht,  4inches does me good.http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/7973880

[jrfungi]

My bad i was talking about my casing layer, my sub is about 3 to 4 inches, 3 quarts of WBS, and 1 or 1 1/2 inch casing ( i am calling the top layer  my casing layer. I am brand new and I read so much i get confused!!!! This is my first tub but i plan to do another soon. I just want every grow to get better than my last. These damn pics of the forrest flushes seem almost impossible.

I am with you i am not ready to mess wit the petri dishes yet.