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Hi All,

This is my second attempt at growing. Both attempts were B+ in a 600g mycobag. My first attempt became contaminated after trying to case (and placing in fruiting chamber).

This time I decided not to case and have left my mycobag sealed. After full colonisation, and changing temps etc, mushrooms have started to grow, but I only have five mushrooms of any size (around 3 inches high, at the most).

The heads on these mushroom appear to be starting to tear away from the stem. I planned to open the bag and pick what's there. Then mist the inside of the bag. Any help, or feedback would be much appreciated.

1. Once open, how often should I mist inside my bag? I was thinking once every day or so.

2. Do you think my second & third flushes will be any better?

Thanks...

OK, I have a much larger Fruiting Chamber now. I've also decided to change my plan slightly. Any advise just before I go ahead would be much appreciated.

I have a grain Mycobag that is full colonised. I plan to breakup the mycelium and place in a tray (possibly two trays depending on how deep it is). I was then planning to case the mycelium with 1/4 inch of vermiculite (although I could mix the verm with something else, if somebody could please advise).

After reading a little, it seems that I should then place back in dark incubation (at 27C) until I see the mycelium starting to appear (a little) through the casing.

My final step would then be to place in the Fruiting Chamber.

If anybody sees any problems with this, please let me know before I do something silly ;0)

Many Thanks,
Sozu

Thanks Baph, I'll get a bigger box for the FC.

I'll leave the substrate in the Mycobag while fruiting (if you think that as good). I'll place the bag directly onto the perlite.

I haven't broken up the Myc at all so far, but there is only about 1 inch square (from what I can tell) of Mycelium growth so far.

Thanks again...

OK, just so I'm ready for when the colonisation is complete (although I know it likely to be at least 3 weeks before I can progress), I would like to explain what my plan of action is. This way at least people can stop me before I do something silly - lol.

I am about to prepare the fruiting chamber, so that will be ready in time. The box I'm using is only 10 inches high (hope thats enough).

A. Wait for colonisation to complete.
B. Wait a further 4 to 6 days to allow for consolidation.
C. Cut the Mycobag, so there is only an inch left above the substrate.
D. Apply a layer of pasteurised Vermiculite (pre-soaked and drained) to the substrate.
E. Place in fruiting chamber on a layer of (pre-soaked and drained) perlite, ensuring it does not touch the perlite.
F. Place the fruiting chamber on the floor where it will receive indirect sunlight & monitor temps & humidity.
G. Mist twice per day and fan chamber to expel CO2.

So any comments on the above would be most welcome, please may I also ask the following questions.

1. Is a height of 10 inches enough for the fruiting chamber?

2. At what point should I breakup the mycelium in the bag, or should i bother with this?

3. I assume the substrate should be left in the mycobag after colonisation? or can it be completely removed in order to fully case?

4. How thick should my casing layer be?

Sorry for the babble, as ever any help would be very welcome.

Thanks....

WooHoo!

Its been around one month, but I finally have some Mycelium growth. Thought that i had blown it for a while, but all seems to coming along nicely now.

A big thank you to psilocybin warrior & Baph for your input.

I'll keep you posted of any further developments.

Checked again, still no joy (almost nine days), but I'll keep checkin'. Still optimistic

I got my bag from http://www.entheogenius.com/

I live in the UK, but I think they are the exact same bags that are sold in the US (I think they are manufactured by a US company), as I've seen them on a US website but I can't remember which one.

The bag has the black rubber circle that you inject through.

On a different note, do you have any recommendations for the type casing that I should use?

Thanks,
Sozu....

I hear you Baph, on the whole I'm usually quite patient, but since its my first attempt I'm probably a bit more edgy about it.

I'm not sure that my Mycobag is BRF, as it seems to be all grain, maybe rye grain?

Almost seven days and still no visible mycelium

I'm still hopeful though, I'll let you know if/when I see something.....

Thanks psilocybin warrior. Thats good to know, as I was just starting to wonder if I'd messed-up something. I'll keep you posted....

Thanks Baph - I shall keep you updated.

Its been 5 days since inoculation, but I can't see any mycelium yet. Temps are between 22C and 27C, I'll stay patient.....

Regards,
Sozu.....

Excellent Baph - thank you.

I have purchased a plastic box with a lid, very similar (almost identical) to a rubbermaid, its white and semitransparent.

I already have some perlite, I'll make sure theres enough. Sorry for all the questions, its just great to able to converse with somebody who's in the know. So here's a couple more:

1. I assume that I would sterilise the perlite in the oven first?

2. Would you sterilise the box also, if so how?

3. I was considering using the colonised grain to inoculate another bulk medium such as pasteurised straw, but bearing in mind its my first attempt, do think I should fruit directly from the grain?

Don't worry, I don't have anymore question for a while :0)

Many Thanks,
Sozu.

I think I see what you mean...

FC - Fruiting/Flushing Chamber?

If so, no, I hadn't given it much thought. Any suggestions here would also be fantastic. Can I build something?

I've just ordered a submersable aquarium heater, don't know if that would help me build one. Don't know if thats just used for colonisation?

Thanks Baph.

FC - Field Capacity?

I intend to use Vermiculite for the casing.

On a slightly different note, when I inoculated the bag I hadn't done too much reading. I placed in a warm dark location (as the intructions suggested). But I didn't realise that it was photosensitive and it should remain in complete (100%) darkness until its fully colonised etc. Since I inoculated (two days ago) I have briefly checked it daily (in ambient light).

Do you think I could have messed things up by not ensuring 100% darkness?

I'm not expecting to see (nor have I seen) any mycelium growth yet, but I'm just hoping that I haven't triggered anything. I guess I should have done some thorough reading first, I'll be sure to keep reading & learning from now on.

Thanks,
Sozu

I've just read (and watched an online video), and I now see what was meant, newbie questions eh?

Vermiculite etc.

One more thing though (if you would be so kind):

Since I'm a newbie, do you think I risk contamination if I open the sealed bag to case the substraight? Or is this risk minimal once the substraight is fully colonised?

As ever, any help would be much appreciated - Thanks....

Brilliant, thanks Baph!

The instructions (supplied with the bag) weren't very helpful, but I guess I understand why (legallity etc). I purchased a book (The Mushroom Cultivator, A Practical Guide To Growing Mushrooms At Home) and I am just getting started reading it.

When you say a 'casing', do you mean a covering?

Thanks again,
Sozu....

Hello all,

I recently purchased a Mycobag and a B+ spore syringe. I innoculated the substraight yesterday and placed in the airing cupboard (laundry/linen cupboard). I have done a fair amount of reading, but can't seem to find an answer to the following questions:

1. Can I fruit (with the B+ strain) directly in the Mycobag?

2. If so, do I leave the bag sealed until the first flush is complete?

3. After the first flush, can I/should I 'dunk' the substraight?

Any help would be fantastic,
Many Thanks.....