How to Use Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1qt

How to Use Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1qt

Setting Up a Clean Workspace

Before working with the Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1qt, it's crucial to maintain a clean and sanitized environment to avoid contamination. Although using a laminar flow hood or still air box is ideal, you can still reduce the risk of contamination by following these steps:

• Disinfect your work area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or a similar sanitizing agent.
• Avoid working in areas with airflow from fans, air conditioners, or heaters, as these can introduce airborne contaminants.
• Wipe down the outside of the jar with rubbing alcohol to ensure the surface is sterile.
• Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as syringes, before handling the jar.

Maintaining a clean environment is essential for a successful inoculation process. If you don’t have a laminar flow hood, consider using a still air box to limit airborne contamination during inoculation.

Inoculating the Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Jar

1. Sterilize Your Syringe Needle

To begin, sterilize the syringe needle by holding it over a flame until it turns red hot. Allow the needle to cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before proceeding with the inoculation. This step ensures that the needle is free of contaminants.

2. Inject the Colonized Liquid Culture

Once the needle has cooled, insert it into the self-healing injection port on the jar lid. Inject 4-6cc of your liquid culture or spore solution into the jar. Spread the inoculant evenly by injecting it into different areas of the substrate to promote even colonization.

Incubating the Multi Grain Substrate Jar

After inoculating, place the jar in an upright position in a room-temperature environment, ideally between 65-75°F. The jar should be stored away from direct sunlight and areas where temperatures fluctuate. If desired, you can incubate the jar at temperatures up to 80°F, but avoid going above this temperature to prevent stalling the mycelium’s growth.

Ensure that the 5-micron filter patch on the jar lid remains unobstructed to allow for proper gas exchange. You should see mycelium growth begin within 10-14 days, with full colonization usually occurring in 3-4 weeks when using spores. If using liquid culture, colonization may take about a week less.

Using the Substrate for Fruiting or Spawn

Once the Multi Grain Substrate Jar is fully colonized, you have two options:

• Fruiting the Jar: The jar can be fruited directly by removing the colonized substrate and placing it into a fruiting chamber. Ensure the chamber maintains high humidity (around 90%) and fresh air exchange. Mist the substrate lightly and fan the chamber regularly to promote fruiting.
• Using as Spawn: Alternatively, you can use the colonized substrate as spawn by transferring it to a secondary bulk substrate, such as manure or wood-based substrates. This allows for larger flushes and more abundant mushrooms. Break up the colonized substrate gently before mixing it into the secondary substrate.

Both methods produce healthy, robust mushrooms, but using the substrate as spawn typically results in larger yields due to the additional nutrients provided by the secondary substrate.

Monitoring for Contamination

While the Multi Grain Substrate Jar is fully hydrated and sterilized, contamination can still occur if cleanliness is not maintained. Watch for unusual colors, slime, or foul odors, as these are signs of contamination. If contamination is detected, discard the jar and sanitize your workspace before starting a new batch.

Maximizing Your Yield

To get the best results from your Multi Grain Substrate Jar, make sure the jar has consistent temperatures and proper gas exchange. Keep the filter patch clear of obstructions and monitor the humidity levels in your fruiting chamber to avoid drying out or over-saturating the substrate.

If using the jar as spawn, pairing it with a nutrient-rich bulk substrate, such as manure or wood, will provide more nutrients to the mushrooms and result in larger, more abundant flushes.

Conclusion

The Multi Grain Mushroom Substrate Jar - 1qt offers a convenient and versatile medium for growing mushrooms. Whether you choose to fruit directly from the jar or use it as spawn for a secondary substrate, following these steps will help ensure successful colonization and healthy mushroom growth. With proper care, you can enjoy multiple flushes and optimize your yield.

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