18 replies to this topic

[MycoManda786596]

Hello, my name is Amanda I’m from Kentucky and about a month ago I started my first grow with Ecuador and Golden Teachers. It’s been pretty smooth going since the beginning but I just ran into a problem 2 days ago and was wondering if spores can prematurely drop? My mushies are only 2-3” tall and are releasing spores like they are fully mature. I have had to pick 3 clusters of mushrooms due to this already. If anyone has some advice or if it’s suppose to do this? Please and Thank You

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[Myc]

Let the flush finish, pick all of the fruit bodies, and then dunk that cake.

Sounds like it's dehydrated a bit.

[MycoManda786596]

Kk that’s what I’ll do then. My humidity has been 99% up until now cause I got worried and quit misting as much then one of my caps split so I’ll go back to what I was doing. I had one fat one but it turned black overnight too. I tried to get a spore print from the cap but nothing happened. I was sad to take it early. I printed 4 other ones that were my 2nd cluster of golden teachers and some made a print and a couple didn’t. Thanks so much for the reply also.

[TVCasualty]

They often don't get very large on cakes, so they're not excessively small to the degree that it indicates a problem.

 

A cap that splits when it's still on the cake suggests that the rH was too low, which is a minor problem that's easy to fix. And if it split from dryness then the rH was not being sustained at 99%. If you're using a cheap meter to gauge humidity then ignore it since any hygrometer not rated for 100% rH "condensing fog" environments cannot be trusted. Which includes all of the cheap dial types and most of the consumer-grade digital versions.

 

As long as they're getting plenty of fresh air then you can't over-mist a bin. Try not to blast the mushrooms or pins directly with your sprayer but don't worry about the mist getting them wet.

 

And welcome to Mycotopia!

[MycoManda786596]

Thanks so much guys. The hygrometer I have is made by Ink Bird. It was cheap but I read it was suppose to be a good brand. I’ll look for a better one on Amazon. Do you suggest a dial vs. digital? Forgot to take my digital one out before I sprayed once and tried to dry it off real quick but it’s making it difficult to read anyways.

[Myc]

All of my experience with finding a reliable hygrometer turned up nothing and I've tried several.

The only place I find them to be essential is with a larger greenhouse setup.

You should be fine keeping up with air exchange and misting. Don't worry about the hygrometer.

[MycoManda786596]

I gotcha, thanks for all of the advice I really appreciate it.

[TVCasualty]

Thanks so much guys. The hygrometer I have is made by Ink Bird. It was cheap but I read it was suppose to be a good brand. I’ll look for a better one on Amazon. Do you suggest a dial vs. digital? Forgot to take my digital one out before I sprayed once and tried to dry it off real quick but it’s making it difficult to read anyways.

 

You probably have a meter that works just fine, but only within the specs it was designed for.

 

But like Myc pointed out, unless you're really going big and need to monitor the rH in a large room or grow house (rather than in plastic bins) then you really don't need a meter at all. I have a few around, including in the room I use as a lab but that's to monitor the rH to ensure it won't encourage mold growth., so I only need a cheap one to ensure the rH stays below ~45% (which can be challenging where I live when it's both too cool for air conditioning and 90-100% rH outside). And if you need to measure the humidity in a large space, or need to calibrate a hygrometer rated for 100% rH then you can get a sling psychrometer, which is the most accurate -but tedious- way to measure it.

[MycoManda786596]

Awesome! I plan on getting to a very large grow eventually. I just ordered over 50 more different spore syringes and I have all of Paul Stamets books and Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora. I made the decision that I love this hobby and I’m trying to dive right into it. I’ve read many things on this website and Shroomery that we’re extremely helpful and I can’t wait to learn more. I’m very inquisitive and not afraid to fail and try again as many times as necessary so I’m pretty sure I made the right decision and this is the life for me. I’m so excited to be a part of this community as well so thanks for the warm welcome everybody. And I will definitely be looking into a sling psychrometer as well as a beverage cooler to store my spores in. You guys are awesome!
Also an update on my cakes. I’ve been picking my mushies when the veil breaks or right before. They are smaller but seem to work just as well. So it was worth it. I have documented the whole experience and I can’t wait to grow and learn more and post more pictures!

[MycoManda786596]

Pictures from yesterday:

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[Dabluebonic]

Nice grow! I think 50 syringes will you get started. But i bet by the time you use 3 of them you will be making your OWN prints and spore syringes. Best of luck!

[PJammer24]

There are tons of reasons that your mushrooms may be staying small that stem from genetics to available resources...  I would just keep plodding along and you will eventually get the results you are looking for... Some of the comments previously made should help you accomplish your goals....

[Jusliftin420]

Listen to everyone above I’m just letting u know for future for your safety as well careful with dropping your government info name etc. otherwise keep tinkering with ur FC duries as far as RH and FAE fan mist etc enjoy ur mushies!

[MycoManda786596]

I will be careful about dropping personal info. Thanks for the heads up. I have made some spore prints with my Ecuador’s and Golden Teachers so far. They are so pretty! I’m gonna start making spore print art also. I made mine in 60mm glass Petri dishes and developed my personal code for labeling with the key in my journal. Is it better to make them on glass or aluminum foil? Because I’ve seen that a lot too and it saves space. With the spores I’m waiting on I want to grow in sets and collect prints from all of them so I have duplicates and can share, etc.

[Jusliftin420]

That’s insane about the spore prints art lmao hit up art4thought as I am certain spore print is one of Art4thoughts main goals behind spore prints as mine are syringes which I figured was most ppls but congrats by the way on the fruits of ur labor

[Jusliftin420]

Meant to say Art4thought is very interested in making various types of spore print art lol sorry late for me

[MycoManda786596]

Thanks I appreciate that. I’m assuming that is someone in the community here? I will look them up. I’m going to make spore syringes too but making art out of them is a goal of mine lol. I know it does seem crazy but I love it ♥. 3 of my cakes that were fruiting ended up growing green mold on them and I had to toss them. I was sad to do it but I still have 5 growing and another 3 jars that are done colonizing, just waiting on some pinning before I birth them this time around. They are A+, colonized really quick too. I finally broke down and got a pressure cooker and just sterilized 16 jars of brf substrate that I added some worm castings to. So we’ll see how they go. Haven’t decided which strains I’m going to use in them yet. I’m researching them right now.

[Dabluebonic]

I've recently done some prints in a sandwich baggie. Using my SAB i was able to easily print inside the bag and successfully make clean syringes. Thanks to the great info i found here.

I was having bad luck printing on foil, then making syringes. Hope this helps.

[MycoManda786596]

Thank you so much! I’ll try that for sure!