How to Use Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Bag - 1lb
Share
How to Use Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Bag - 1lb
Preparing a Clean Workspace
When working with the Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Bag - 1lb, it’s important to set up a clean and sanitized environment to reduce the risk of contamination. Although a laminar flow hood or still air box is preferred, you can still achieve great results by following these steps:
- Disinfect your work area with rubbing alcohol or a similar sanitizing agent to remove any dust or contaminants.
- Avoid working in areas with airflow from fans, air conditioners, or heaters to minimize airborne particles.
- Wipe down the substrate bag with rubbing alcohol to remove any contaminants from the surface.
- Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as scissors or syringes, before handling the substrate.
Maintaining a clean environment is critical for a successful inoculation process. If you don’t have a laminar flow hood, consider using a still air box to reduce airborne contamination.
Inflating the Substrate Bag
Before inoculating the Multi Grain Substrate Bag, the bag must be inflated slightly to ensure proper gas exchange through the 5-micron filter patch. This is essential for optimal mycelial growth. Here’s how to do it:
- Grasp the opposite gussets of the bag and gently pull them apart to allow air to enter through the filter patch.
- Repeat this motion until the bag is slightly inflated and ready for inoculation.
Inoculating the Multi Grain Substrate Bag
1. Prepare Your Grain Spawn
Before inoculating the substrate bag, you’ll need to prepare colonized grain spawn. This can be done by inoculating grain jars or bags with liquid culture or spores and allowing the grains to fully colonize over a few weeks.
2. Sterilize the Needle
Before inoculation, it’s important to flame sterilize your syringe needle to prevent contamination. Hold the needle over a flame until it becomes red hot, then let it cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before proceeding with the inoculation.
3. Inject the Colonized Spawn
Insert the cooled needle into the self-healing injection port on the substrate bag. Inject 4-6cc of your colonized liquid culture or spore solution into the substrate. Make sure to inject the solution evenly across different areas of the bag to ensure even colonization.
4. Mix the Substrate
After inoculating, gently massage the bag to help distribute the liquid culture throughout the grains. This promotes uniform mycelial growth and speeds up colonization.
Incubating the Multi Grain Substrate Bag
Once inoculated, the substrate bag should be stored upright in a room-temperature environment between 65-75°F. Keep the bag away from direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations. If desired, the substrate can be incubated at up to 80°F, but avoid going above this temperature to prevent stalling the mycelium.
During incubation, ensure the 5-micron filter patch is unobstructed, allowing for proper gas exchange. You should begin to see mycelium growth within 10-14 days. Full colonization usually takes 3-4 weeks when using spores, but liquid culture typically reduces this time by about a week.
Using the Substrate for Fruiting or Spawn
Once the substrate is fully colonized, you have two options for how to proceed:
- Fruiting in the Bag: You can fruit the mushrooms directly in the bag. Open the bag and introduce fresh air once a day to promote fruiting. Maintain high humidity (around 90%) by lightly misting the substrate. Monitor the mushrooms as they develop, and harvest them just before the caps fully open.
- Using as Spawn: Alternatively, you can use the colonized substrate as spawn by transferring it to a secondary bulk substrate like manure or wood-based substrates. This allows the mushrooms to grow larger and produces bigger flushes. Break up the colonized substrate gently before mixing it into the secondary substrate.
Whether you choose to fruit in the bag or use the substrate as spawn, both methods yield healthy, abundant mushrooms. Choose the method that best fits your needs.
Monitoring for Contamination
Even though the Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate is fully hydrated and sterilized, contamination can still occur if the environment isn’t properly maintained. Watch for unusual colors, slime, or foul odors, which are all signs of contamination. If you notice any contamination, discard the substrate and sanitize your workspace before starting a new batch.
Conclusion
The Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Bag - 1lb offers a versatile and nutrient-rich medium for mushroom cultivation. Whether you choose to fruit directly from the bag or use the substrate as spawn, following these steps will help ensure successful colonization and healthy mushroom harvests. By maintaining a clean workspace and providing proper care, you can enjoy multiple flushes of mushrooms with ease.