BabyBlue Grow Log 1

Started by BabyBlue, May 03, 2011, 03:07:08 PM

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BabyBlue

Hey guys, I will be attempting my first grow, and would really appreciate some input from more skilled cultivators. First off, I have a question about the jars that I got... are they too small? They didn't have anything else without shoulders... and I wanted the birthing to go smooth so I got them... tell me what you think:


(Mini stapler for size reference  ^_^)


(Quarter for size reference)

Also... should I remove the lids completely so I can inoculate? Or would I be able to inoculate through a layer of foil and then just close the lid when they are colonizing? Thanks much!

Vandal_xx

Take the lids off. You will want something bigger eventually, but they will work. use one layer of foil to innoc. through and another to cover.
Feel good before dying!!!!!

BabyBlue

#2
Yeah I did that today, realizing how much harder they would make it. Thanks for replying! My spores should be here within a week.. ^^

EDIT: I don't have a pressure cooker, I only have a pot with a lid and I don't feel comfortable putting the jars on the bottom... do you think I should set them on their lids?

dub504

Sure, set them on their lids or a wash cloth. Just the boiling water doesn't get into the jars.

BabyBlue

My spores FINALLY came today and I've been cleaning non-stop. As we speak my cakes are being steamed, and will be done in 80 or so minutes. Afterwards comes the inoculation, and I'm crossing my fingers my methods yield low chance of contam. I used the double foil method as instructed.

After my jars are done steaming/sterilizing, how long should I let them cool before inoculation? I figured I'd let them sit until they aren't hot to the touch and then get to inoculating.

dub504

Wait until they are room temperature.

BabyBlue

#6
Hmm I don't think I waited quite that long... hopefully my cakes are fine. I plan on waiting late into the 11th to check them. (Nearly two full days) They are sitting in a sanitized container in the dark. Fingers crossed!

EDIT: Here's a look at my jars.



Sorry they are so poor quality. If I had a photographer's camera I would use it!

BabyBlue

Question: I've heard a lot of mixed opinions about when to birth... should I wait until the jar is fully colonized? Or wait 5 or so days after full colonization? Apparently giving it some extra time in it's jar is beneficial. Let the answers flow!

dub504

Usually a week after full colonization. This gives the interior of the cake time to fully colonize.

BabyBlue

Thanks man. ^

Day 3: No noticeable growth yet. I was hoping it would take off pretty fast due to my substrate being rather loosely packed... but since I'm not really incubating it seems to be at it's normal slow-ass pace. :P

Side note: My laptop is a beast that pumps out a good amount of heat when you jump in a game.. so I've rigged a Kleenex box to capture the heat coming from the main output, and I've put my three jars in the box... If you heat your jars, does it have to be constant and consistent? Because I'm worried about exposing them to heat, then popping them back into a drawer when I leave. That may be too in-depth, but if there are opinions to give, feel free.

Thanks for the help so far guys.

Vandal_xx

first off it will take at least 5-6 days to see some growth. I would avoid heating your jars. the temp in your place is 68-70F you will be just fine. Many other first time growers have heated and killed their jjars. Good luck
Feel good before dying!!!!!

PCCP

If your room temp is healthy 70f I wouldn't bother heating. but insulation will help to retain there own heat. Those babies will get there in the end it isn't a race.

Contams flourish in warmer heat more than myc growth so if your cleanliness ain't up to scratch you might just encourage bad stuff to grow and take over your project before you white stuff has even got a foot hold.

Your mycelium is a simple living thing. Constant is much better than warm cold warm fluctuation.

Many people just pop jars into a cooler box unheated to reduce fluctuation bt even bubble wrap would be better than none.

Good Luck

-_-

BabyBlue

7 days and still no growth. The inside of my jars look considerably drier. I'm getting discouraged, but I'll wait another week. I have a bad feeling the jars were still a tad hot coming out of the sterilization process; and my spores didn't do well in the heat. But we'll see. And if I don't have any contams in 2 weeks, I may just re-inoculate my substrates with the little bit of spores I have left.

dub504

Be patient. Sometimes it just takes longer for the spores to germinate.

PCCP

It took my spores 11 days to germinate and only 1 out of 24 inoc sites across 6 jars came good.

I cooked them for 2 hours @ 35C (95F) by mistake right at the very beginning after inoculation.

Check the progress http://www.fungifun.org/forum/index.php/topic,2805.0.html

Hang in there. Re inoculation may be risky if your cakes are drying out already as they won't reach full colonization.

If you do choose to re inoculate I would do it with fresh prepared substrate so you know the water ratio is good.

:ph34r:

dub504

And it doesn't take that long to mix up a new batch. The ratio is as simple as 2:1:1 = Verm:BRF:Water

Vandal_xx

ahh yes, a new batch, what a good idea!
Feel good before dying!!!!!

BabyBlue

Wow, I am extremely surprised to report that 2/3 jars have mycelium growing. This is the 20th day since my first inoculation... After I didn't see any growth for two weeks... I reinoculated. I'm very excited to see how far these cakes go.

BabyBlue

Growth still in 2/3 jars. I might transfer some mycelium from the colonized jars and see if I can get the empty one goin.

My growths are getting to decent size.

Jar 1: Small growth... surface area of a quarter.

Jar 2: No growth

Jar 3: Little bit smaller than a golf ball, with some outlying growth stretching to the left.

Soon.... soon.

BabyBlue

#19
Jar 1: 1/3 colonized
Jar 2: Just now showing dots of mycelium.
-When I noticed there was no hope for jar 2... I took my empty spore syringe, sucked up some tap water, shook it vigorously, and inoculated jar 2 again. I cannot believe it worked... that's something I'll have to remember...
Jar 3: 2/3 colonized