31 replies to this topic

[sleepwalker]

ok been getting different opinions on casing layers here.ive used simple casings got some good flushes then again got some bad.im aware that dookie and straw deliver nice flushes but is it necc to case using those two in a bulk grow...peace

[sleepwalker]

what kind of casing layer would you recommend for straw and dookie.thanks rodger...

[sandman]

70/30 verm and coir have worked good for me with straw/dookiedoo. Im trying 70/30 verm/dookie casing on a basket now.

[waylitjim]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you get good flushes on uncased poo and straw, right?

I've found bulk substrates like a manure and straw fruit better with a casing layer applied. The only time a casing in not needed...if you're doing straw logs, the plastic keeps the humidity high while the pins are forming.

70/30 verm and coir have worked good for me with straw/dookiedoo. Im trying 70/30 verm/dookie casing on a basket now.

Sandman, is there a reason you're using nutritional additives in your casing layer? IMO, manure and coir shouldn't be used in a casing mix. By the way, you're just inviting overlay if you add manure in the casing mix.

Coco Coir has been used as casing ingredient in the past, but most growers have found coir to be an excellent substrate additive rather then casing ingredient because coco coir is nutritious to mycelium. The best casing mix is a non-nutritious one like Verm or Verm and Peat moss and lime. The goal of a casing layer is to provide water to the substrate below creating bigger fruits.

[highflyer]

Ive always been a fan of mycofiles mix in his Bulk Negelct Tek. Its simply a layer of poo and straw, covered in a layer of poo. This mix works very well in any size tray. It also works very well with or without a casing layer. Mix spawn in all layers. Only use this if using field manure however as the surface will completely colonize.

[highflyer]

Sandman, is there a reason you're using nutritional additives in your casing layer? IMO, manure and coir shouldn't be used in a casing mix. By the way, you're just inviting overlay if you add manure in the casing mix.

Coco Coir has been used as casing ingredient in the past, but most growers have found coir to be an excellent substrate additive rather then casing ingredient because coco coir is nutritious to mycelium. The best casing mix is a non-nutritious one like Verm or Verm and Peat moss and lime. The goal of a casing layer is to provide water to the substrate below creating bigger fruits.

I would disagree and say that coir is absolutely wonderful to use in a casing layer.

[sandman]

I have had excellent luck with coir as a casing additive, thats all Im saying. It may be ass backwards but those coir/verm cased trays outperformed anything else ive done to date. There is no spoon, neo.

[destroy_erase_improve]

a foaf has always cased everything hes done, besides strawlogs. he likes peatmoss/verm and the dab of lime . he has tried coir and not really felt it helped at all, he has also tried crushed oyster shell and again was neither here nor there with it.

[reefer]

I use just a tad of coir in the casing layer just so I can easily see if its too dry. (coir is different colors when wet and dry)

A casing with a lot of coir is asking for two things, though, overlay or contamination. Sure it won't happen every time, and sure people do casings with coir and have good results. ( I have in the past )

There are other casing materials that don't have this problem so I choose not to risk it.

Coir is EXCELLENT substrate material! I don't use poo or straw or anything like that. I just spawn coir with crumbled BRF cakes and it works great. The casing layer is mostly verm.

[sleepwalker]

yeah ive used coir in casing layers befor it worked well for me.but that was with worm shit so i was wondering waht would be good for straw and cow munure.good thread....peace.....

[sporesmen]

Should I throw a small amount of wet verm on top? or should I allow more days to grow first. I also have the lids on for moisture. I dont like the rancid smell however but it may have to do with the garden lime I placed in the soil. The composition is Peat Moss / Vermiculite / 1 jar of pop corn with TX strain.

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[Hippie3]

don't case
leave lids off
cover instead with wax paper just lying on top,
not tight.
let it colonize more,
i see bare exposed kernels, not good.

[sporesmen]

The kernels of corn were not exposed prior to mixing. they will defenetly be covered well for the next one.

[altered_states]

First time using this substrate.
Read plenty of opinions regarding when to apply the casing layer.
But no conclusion has been made.

The casing materials are already prepared.
Casing is 50/50, peat/verm, balanced to a pH just shy of 8 using hydrated lime.

The plan is to case...
The question is when to case.

Expecting to see some quality debate in this thread. :D

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[Lazlo]

I'd wait unti the poo is 100% done colonizing. I never case anything that's not done. It always bites me in the ass when I case early. JME's. Damn nice job on the work man!

[altered_states]

I'd wait unti the poo is 100% done colonizing. I never case anything that's not done. It always bites me in the ass when I case early. JME's. Damn nice job on the work man!

Thank you very much...
I'm quite excited at the mere idea of seeing a forest of mushrooms. :)

From what I've read, the concenses seems to be 100% colonization...
And I've seen what a smiley-faced colander can do. ;)

Thanks again,
AS