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Messages - jshroomer

#1
Cultivation / Re: colonization
July 08, 2008, 02:53:21 PM
I actually didn't use any foil at all.  I just used the lid with a polyfil filter.  Are you saying that I should remove the lid?  Should I go ahead and case them?

Also, is it possible to see a couple of mushrooms growing inside the jar, even though the jar is not fully colonized?  Because there are a couple of bulb like structures that resemble small mushrooms, but it is hard to see.  I still don't have any pictures to show, unfortunately.  The jar I am curious about is Orissa India. 

And thanks for those links, by the way.  I will be using that WBS tek for my third remaining syringe, Cambodian.

Thanks,
jshroomer
#2
Cultivation / Re: colonization
July 06, 2008, 02:52:42 AM
Well I don't have the equipment to post any pictures, but I'm gonna try and borrow my friend's digital camera.

My quart jars are being kept in a partially see-through plastic container that is covered with a blanket, shielding them from most of the light. 

As for the sterilization, I don't exactly have the money to blow on a pressure cooker, so I did the alternative:  I placed the jars in a large pot that had jar lids on the bottom to prevent direct contact between the jars and the pot.  I filled the pot about half way to the jars with water.  With the water boiling I placed the lid on top of the pot enclosing, though not sealing, the jars inside.  I let the jars sit in a light boil for an hour.  Is this sufficient?

I also used polyfil filters on each jar.  I injected each jar through the polyfil...is this wrong?

To help visualize what the jars look like, there is a milky, somewhat yellow liquid on the walls of the jar(mostly from when I shake the birdseed up) and liquid that accumulates on the bottom.  This is a very small amount of liquid, not even enough to create a small puddle in the jar.  I strained the birdseed for about 30 min. after simmering for 25 min.  I believe the milky substance is just excess water and maybe the liquid from the syringes, which has accumulated particles and juices from the birdseed.  Am I wrong?  And is this too saturated?

Only one of my jars has produced any noticeably large amount of mold, and if I'm not just being paranoid, the amount of this mold seems to be diminishing.  From looking at the jar, it seems about 20% of the contents is covered in white mold.  What can I do to successfully colonize the rest of this jar and the others, if there is any hope left.  If I can only save this one jar, then what can I do to save it?  Please help.

Thanks,
jshroomer
#3
Cultivation / colonization
July 03, 2008, 12:08:18 PM
It has been about two weeks, maybe more, since I injected my jars with spores.  Only one of my jars seems to be producing a respectable amount of mycelium, but even that one seems to be slowing down.  The other jars were producing some mold, not much, but now I can find little or no mold (it has become really hard to tell).  One jar seems to be producing a pink mold, so I have separated that from the other jars.  I am using bird seed as the substrate, and the contents of the jars seems to be a little runny because when I shake up the jars every other day, it leaves streaks on the inside of the jar.  Also, I am not using an incubator, but the house never gets above about 82 degrees F.  Most of the time its around 75 to 78 degrees F. 

Can anyone give me some advice?  Am I screwed for the most part, except for one jar?  If I am, what can I do to save this one jar?
#4
Cultivation / Re: Type of rye seed
June 16, 2008, 01:57:10 PM
Thank you, both.  Especially you, Anno. 

Where can I find rye grain, though, other than online?  I looked for health food stores in my area, but there are no listings.  I visited places like Kroger and HEB, the new ones with organic health food and international food sections. I found nothing that said rye grain.  However, I did find certain types of brown rice that looks exactly like the picture you posted, and the bag was labeled whole grain though it says it is a type of brown rice.  Could this be the same thing but just another name for rye grain?

I finally got impatient and just bought a bag of wild bird seed that has wheat, various seeds, and multiple types of millet (though this is not my first preference).  I almost bought a bag of just millet, but it was a little expensive  and came in small bags.  But I am still looking for rye grain (because I have 3 syringes), so if I could get the name of some well-known stores that might be in my area that carry rye grain, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks again guys,
jshroomer
#5
Cultivation / Type of rye seed
June 13, 2008, 01:40:48 PM
I am new at this and I am quite skeptical about the type of rye seed that I am using.  I went to a home and garden store and purchased a bag of rye grass seed.  I think I was a little hasty in the process because I don't think that rye grass seed is another name for rye grain.  I also overlooked that on the bag it says "perennial" rye grass seed (I don't know what it means but it gives me a bad feeling). 

In addition, when I was preparing my quart jars I noticed the presence of blue dust on my fingers.  Furthermore, when the water was added, the water took on a blue tint, very similar to the barbicide you see in a barber shop.

This can't be normal.  If someone can please tell me either that I am about to waist 3 syringes, or that I will be okay with what I have, I would much appreciate it.