Fungifun - Forum

Mushroom cultivation => Cultivation => Topic started by: substrate on February 11, 2010, 09:47:06 AM

Title: almost 4 weeks - only partial colinization
Post by: substrate on February 11, 2010, 09:47:06 AM
i have a batch of jars inoculated on MLK Day, another inoculated right after the playoffs.  both colonized quickly, but have come to a halt for the last two weeks.  the bottoms of the jars are not colonized, and the mycelium is pulling away from the sides of the jars.

my incubator has been running about 80 degrees F, and 40% to 60% RH.  I thought the heat from the bottom of the incubator might be transferring into the bottom of the jars = too hot for the myc to spread down. 

over a week ago i put the jars up on plates to diffuse the heat transfer into the bottom of the jars, but they still have not finished colonizing.  i also birthed a couple cakes, and there is no contamination to be found.

Do I keep waiting to see IF the jars will colonize?  or am i better off birthing all the cakes, washing away the uncolonized substrate, and getting them into the FC?

any suggestions are appreciated!
Title: Re: almost 4 weeks - only partial colinization
Post by: dub504 on February 11, 2010, 03:14:28 PM
patience...
Title: Re: almost 4 weeks - only partial colinization
Post by: MT on February 11, 2010, 04:33:46 PM
You can turn the jars upsidedown and lightly tap on them to make the cake slide toward the lid creating an air pocket. Leave them upside down for a few days and see if that helps. I know it has worked for me in the past.
Title: Re: almost 4 weeks - only partial colinization
Post by: substrate on February 11, 2010, 07:54:52 PM
thanks!  i'll occupy my time growing bean-sprouts - overnight results!

i have a 5-foot red-oak log with 100 shitake plugs in it.  3 to 6 months before i'll see anything.

i guess i better learn to wait!
Title: Re: almost 4 weeks - only partial colinization
Post by: substrate on February 15, 2010, 06:55:25 PM
Flipped upside-down and tapped as suggested.  Looks like I'm getting a bit more colonization at the tops (bottoms) of the jars.  I'll give it another day or two.  Thanks for the suggestion!