Fungifun - Forum

Mushroom cultivation => PF - Tek => Topic started by: NB311 on April 19, 2009, 04:17:14 PM

Title: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 19, 2009, 04:17:14 PM
I inoculated my jars almost two weeks ago, B+. The temperature has been from 67-77 degrees F. (I'm going to make an incubation chamber soon to help this) in total darkness. No colonization happing so far. My question is how long before I know if I did something wrong? Is this the sign of contamination?

Thanks for your help in advance!!
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 19, 2009, 04:28:57 PM
A little more information I forgot. I used Horticultural Vermiculite & BRF for cakes. Steam sterilized in canning pot for 90 minutes. Sprayed tons of Lysol in room, swabbed everything with alcohol. Flame sterilized needle after every jar. Used glove box with A/C off. After jars cooled in pot took straight from pot to glove box (no condensation on jars or foil at all).
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: Fun Guy on April 19, 2009, 04:31:40 PM
If your jars are contaminated you will see growth of the contam.  it will be a color other than white.  the low temp may cause slow growth but i dont remember hearing anyone wait longer than two weeks.  where did you get your spores from? also how did you have them stored.  any temp over 90 can kill your spores.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: heartx on April 19, 2009, 04:36:47 PM
With a room temperature mine could start in 2 weeks like you, you don't have to be worry, if there was contam like he said, it would be another color than white.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: coyoteyogi on April 21, 2009, 08:36:43 AM
What strain are you trying to "study"? My attempts at growing azurescens has yet to yield success (or failure) the spores seem to grow very slowly. With others, B+ and Malabar, the mycelium shows up within a week. Try keeping them in a warmer, dark space. And yes contaminants are themselves a growth and it will be clear if they get going in your medium.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 21, 2009, 01:37:31 PM
There B+ from spores101 and were stored in fridge prior to inocalation
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: Sporetica on April 21, 2009, 02:45:15 PM
I had the same issue. I moved them to a warmer place and they took off. My thoughts are that the syringe that I used didnt have a huge spore count. (The weaker the solution, the longer it taked to colonize) I placed the jars back in the box they came in, put them in a dark colored tub that I placed on its side, up against the wall. I plugged a light bulb (using an adapter) in a socket low on the wall and pushed the tub against the wall so the light bulb was in the tub. I used a thermo/humidity gage to monitor the temp. I put the gage in the box to get a more accurate reading. Its been almost a month and I am still a few days from being able to fruit them. Dont worry, just be patient
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 21, 2009, 03:05:51 PM
Thanks

I just checked in on them and it seems like the water from the syringe is kinda brown inside on the walls of the jars where i inoculated them. Does this mean contaminant or could it just be a little off colored from verm. and BRF?

I'll try to post pics tomorrow if possible.....
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: Sporetica on April 22, 2009, 06:18:51 PM
Right now, just be concerned with any color other than white. I think I recall seeing the same thing at first. I disregarded it as condensation reflecting on the glass. Yea, you should post some pics..Its hard to tell from what you're saying
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: psilocybin warrior on April 23, 2009, 04:30:36 PM
I've seen that happen, if it grows anything on the initial stain throw it away. You should know if its bact. or mold in a day or 2.

PW
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: anemone1 on April 23, 2009, 08:23:57 PM
Can anyone say what the appropriate level of darkness is?  We have a blanket over ours, but the room is pretty light.  Should we put our jars in a completely dark place, like a closet?

Thanks
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: Fun Guy on April 23, 2009, 09:51:09 PM
i have mine in a cardboard box that i soaked with lysol. flaps down and a clean tshirt over the top.  has been fine.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: psilocybin warrior on April 24, 2009, 12:05:20 AM
Well that depends on the blanket, some blankets let light thru while others do not. Should be dark, I prefer pitch black.

PW
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: fattrout on April 24, 2009, 06:17:59 AM
yep, what PW said. keep them in the dark. i use black buckets..
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 24, 2009, 06:27:06 AM
"I've seen that happen, if it grows anything on the initial stain throw it away. You should know if its bact. or mold in a day or 2.

PW "


So I should be able to see green mold or Bact. 2 days from inoculation?
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: fattrout on April 24, 2009, 06:48:08 AM
contams will be very obvious. if your not sure put up some pics...
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 24, 2009, 09:07:15 AM
Sorry it took so long....

(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss75/nbabin311/Mix.jpg)
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss75/nbabin311/CloseMIx.jpg)
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: fattrout on April 24, 2009, 01:09:27 PM
you say you inoculated these jars 2 weeks ago.. i personally don't like the look of that very wet area..if you put your nose to the jar holes and it smells like sour apples or stinky feet or both. there contamed. by now you should have some myc. growing. i don't know, but if it were me i'd toss the jar.. IMO
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: coyoteyogi on April 24, 2009, 05:08:07 PM
I'd agree with Fattrout. Give it the smell test and find out if something is growing. There should be some sign of myc by now.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: heartx on April 25, 2009, 03:16:27 AM
is the wet spot where you inoculated the jar? and yeah A smell test is always the best thing to do, you can't lie to your nose.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 25, 2009, 06:11:13 AM
They do smell bad :angry:
I'm going to start all over, but I can't think of anything I can do better
So I have a few questions:
Is it ok to store spores in fridge before inoculation?
is spores101 a reliable source for spores?
Honestly those are the only 2 things i can think of that went wrong :huh:
I was sterile as hell

Thanks again for all your help!!! it is much appreciated!!!
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: fattrout on April 25, 2009, 07:46:34 AM
i don't know about spores101. http://www.ralphstersspores.com/ this is the shit, ralphsters is very reliable. as for why it just happens, you can be as sterile as hell
and from time to time contams will still find there way in.. i just store my spores in my closet, in a Ziploc bag put into a small box. some times 2 to 3 months. you just have to start over. it happens to all of as..
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: coyoteyogi on April 25, 2009, 10:49:23 AM
I've had good luck with Earthstongue. They give you 20cc syringes so you can inoc more jars. I think ET changed hands a couple of years ago. It had a bad rap for awhile, my experience has been good. Bummer to get contammed like that. Good luck with the next batch.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: heartx on April 25, 2009, 11:35:48 AM
did you shake your syringes before inoculating, alot of people forget to sometimes. And for the fridge, I think I read somewhere that you have to wait that they get to room temperature before inoculating, but I'm not sure at 100%.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 25, 2009, 06:03:51 PM
Yeah I did shake the syringes, I was thinking the fridge thing might have been my down fall...oh well fingers crossed for next batch -_-
Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: shroomzer on April 25, 2009, 06:10:37 PM
I went though a lot of thowing stuff out too NB... no worries .. just start over and pray to the mushroom gods for good fortune .. =)  Good Luck~!!
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: heartx on April 26, 2009, 07:03:59 AM
Most of the time the mushrooms god will hear your prayers=P
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: Trips509 on April 26, 2009, 07:26:20 AM
If you did PFtek it doesn't look like you have a dry verm layer in your jars. This acts as a blocker to help prevent contaminates. Does it look like there is no dry verm layer on the top to anyone else?
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: heartx on April 26, 2009, 07:57:42 AM
after 2+ weeks the dry layer isn't dry anymore.
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: Cameltom on April 26, 2009, 10:13:39 AM
to much water if thats the case
or add more dry verm
Title: Re: Incubation.........Question
Post by: NB311 on April 26, 2009, 10:23:56 AM
there is a dry layer :mellow: