Poor Growth

Started by Quintessence, February 26, 2007, 03:17:30 AM

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Quintessence

I'm not having much growth with my first attempt and can't figure out what is wrong. Here is what I've done so far:

I prepared & innoculated 10 jars 2 weeks ago. 5 with spores that I obtained recently (Thai) and 5 with spores that were at least 6 years old - a friend bought them in a head shop in Amsterdam many years ago and never did anything with them. They were Amazionians. I used the syringe TEK to prepare my syringes and left them for 5 days before innoculating my jars. I innoculated 2cc's into each jar, so 0.5cc per hole. For the first 5 days, the jars were kept at 74-76 deg, but after that I made a small heater and the temp is now between 78-81 deg.

1 jar was infected and showed signs of infection after around 5 days, so I isolated it. (until I was sure) Of the remaining jars, only 2 of the Amazonians are showing Mycelium growth and none of the Thai's are. I was really surprised, because I didn't think I'de get anything from the Amazonians cos they were so old, in fact, I almost threw the spores out! Anyway, they only showed growth after 10 days and only in 1 innoculation point each. Those 2 points seem to be growing steadily now, but will take ages to complete because there is only 1 point of growth and I'm using pint jars too. The holes on my jars are covered only with tin foil, no tape.

The only thing I can think of is that my subtrate is too dry. I followed the Tek, but there is a bit of subjectivity on how wet it should be. When I mixed my subtrate, the Tek said a little water should start to run out of the mixture. It did, but only a very little and it took a while. Any ideas before I conclude that the spores were at fault?

Thanks
Q

HipsterDoofus

Someone I know Who Isn't Me used the exact PF TEK and brand new syringes from reliable suppliers. SWIM incubated tub-in-tub at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  SWIM says she didn't see any growth until at least two weeks. Like you SWIM used pint jars, four holes, covered only with foil.

SWIM thinks you just need a good dose of patience. Give it a month at least. Unless you see real and obvious evidence of contamination. SWIM didn't use the "little water should start to run out of the mixture" method. Instead, SWIM just used the exact measurements in the TEK.

Best of luck. Be patient.

TommyTutone

I have a few ideas,

1. If it took a long time (over 10 seconds) to have water come out of the substrate, it might be too dry.

2. The Pf tek is best used in half pint jars. Although I haven't tried using pint jars, I have read there are more difficulties using them for this tek.

3. Are the jars kept in complete darkness while they incubate?

Those are my first, and at the moment, only ideas. I get signs of growth at about 5 days, and complete colonization at around 18 days, but that is with half pint jars.

Best of luck

Keep us updated.


Baphom3t

man, Ive had jars that have taken 2 months to colonize.
there is just to many factors to figure out why they arent working for ya.