How to Use BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1/2 Pint
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How to Use BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1/2 Pint
Preparing Your Workspace
Before working with the BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar, it’s crucial to prepare a clean and sanitized environment. While using a laminar flow hood or still air box is ideal, you can still work effectively by taking precautions to reduce contamination. Here are some tips:
- Sanitize your work area with rubbing alcohol and avoid working in rooms with moving air from fans or vents.
- Avoid carpeted areas, as carpets can release dust particles into the air.
- Wipe down the jar with rubbing alcohol to reduce contaminants on the surface.
- Ensure that your hands and any tools you use are sanitized before handling the jar.
Consider using a still air box to reduce the chance of contaminants circulating. Keep alcohol-based sanitizers away from open flames and ensure your workspace is well-lit for precision.
What You Need for Inoculation
To successfully inoculate the BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar, you will need the following items:
- BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1/2 pint
- Spore syringe or liquid culture from a reputable vendor
- Flame source (spirit lamp)
- Rubbing alcohol and paper towels
- Optional: Gloves for additional cleanliness
Step-by-Step Guide to Inoculating BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar
1. Flame Sterilize the Needle
Before injecting the spores or liquid culture, sterilize the syringe needle. Carefully hold the needle over a flame until it turns red hot. Let it cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before proceeding. If using a lighter, avoid soot buildup on the needle by holding it at a distance. A spirit lamp is preferred for a steady flame without residue.
2. Inject the Spores or Liquid Culture
Insert the cooled needle into the self-healing injection port on the BRF jar. Inject 2-4cc of spore solution or liquid culture into the substrate. Be careful not to puncture the bottom or sides of the jar to ensure even distribution of the inoculant.
3. Distribute the Spores
After inoculating, gently swirl or tap the jar to evenly spread the liquid throughout the substrate. This helps the spores distribute, promoting uniform mycelial growth.
Incubation of BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar
Place the inoculated jar on a shelf in a room-temperature environment (65-75°F). You can incubate up to 80°F, but avoid exceeding this to prevent growth issues. Keep the jar upright, allowing the filter patch to function properly for gas exchange. Expect to see growth in 10-14 days, with full colonization taking 3-4 weeks with spores or about a week less with liquid culture.
Avoid temperature fluctuations during incubation to prevent delayed growth. Monitor the room temperature if using an incubator, making sure it doesn’t rise above 80°F.
Fruiting or Using as Spawn
Once fully colonized, you can:
- Fruit as a Cake: Remove the colonized BRF substrate from the jar and place it in a fruiting chamber. Maintain high humidity and fresh air exchange to promote mushroom growth directly from the cake.
- Use as Spawn: Transfer the colonized jar to a secondary substrate like manure or wood-based substrates for larger flushes. This gives your mushrooms more nutrients to grow bigger and healthier.
When fruiting as a cake, mist the substrate daily to maintain humidity and fan the chamber at least once a day for fresh air exchange. Avoid over-misting to prevent waterlogging.
Monitoring for Contamination
Monitor your jar during colonization for signs of contamination such as strange colors or foul odors. Contaminated jars should be discarded to prevent mold spores from spreading. Common signs include green, black, or orange growth. If caught early, you may be able to isolate the contamination to avoid impacting other jars.
Conclusion
The BRF Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1/2 pint is a versatile and beginner-friendly product. Whether you choose to fruit the jar as a cake or use it as spawn, following these steps will help you achieve successful colonization and healthy mushroom harvests.