40 replies to this topic

[mushroommaster7]

I plan on pasteurizing a burlap sack full of straw to use as a substrate... can anyone throw some better substrates out there? i am curious... GOTTA DO THIS RIGHT!

[jmtx]

straw is amazing!!! the only better thing i know of is horse/cow/ass poo

[mushroommaster7]

ass poo... hahah, thanks... i've tried this method before... it's just that the mycelium never grew through the straw completely

[gsmith1981]

did you layer it and chop into 1 inch pieces?

[mushroommaster7]

no, i suppose it was just like standard length hay... should i utilize this 1 inch technique?

[mello]

coco-coir is a excellent substrate =) just make sure to use a deep substrate for subsequent flushes.

[jmtx]

no, i suppose it was just like standard length hay... should i utilize this 1 inch technique?

yea chop it up real good, im gonna blend mine this time to see how it goes

[mushroommaster7]

okay, do i add anything to the shredded straw? like for instance add coco coir?

[jmtx]

you can if you want, but straw alone will not disappoint you

[mushroommaster7]

alright that is comforting because it's all i got right now in terms of a sub. i will boil it etc like in the tek's i've seen and i think last time i actually did this i had it right... i let it dry for about 24 hours... too long?

[jmtx]

i dont let mine dry i use a pillow case and squeesh out the extra water

[mushroommaster7]

so this would be a good thing to do like 4-7 hours prior to 100% completed jars?

[OZZZ]

... no.

Let those jars sit for a few days past 100% colonization .... if your referring to grains.

If BRF let sit for about a week.

Ive had some straw mess up on me pretty good from being too wet and I let it sit overnight to drain and cool.

I think next time Ill pasturize the straw like normal then Ill dump some dry worm castings on it to soak up any excess moisture. Maybe a quart or two to a pillowcaseful of straw.

Thats the plan next time I play with straw anyway.

[mushroommaster7]

i was gonna utilize the WBS tek...

[OZZZ]

Ya then let them sit for a day or two past 100% colonization to make sure they are completely colonized and additionally so they have a good hold on the grains to fight off any contams.

2-3 days should be sufficient, and although it might not be absolutely necessary its a pretty good practice to follow to make sure things go the way you had planned.

[mushroommaster7]

i'll take your word for it... my first attempt i may have been under 100% colonized... thanks so much you guys are the tits

[assmonkey75]

Okay, so I'm a total nOOb, with a total nOOb question:

In terms of mycoculture, is "straw" the same thing as "hay"?

If not, what's the difference?

[mushroommaster7]

yep, same difference assmonkey! i think that's the only time i'll get away with callin someone that, here...

[OZZZ]

MM ....You will notice waiting the few extra days (even up to 3) the mycelium will become much stronger, whiter, and fuller. The grains will be harder to break apart (a good thing) then when they just barely reach 100% and have just covered the surface of the grains.

[OZZZ]

Actually no guys, STRAW and HAY are very different

Hay is typically alphalpha or something similar, although some people have used it with success many have issues with it because of the nutrient makeup.

You want WHEAT STRAW.

Unless you are just looking to experiment or give hay a try. When people talk about straw, they are generally referring to wheat straw.