How to Use Pasteurized Straw Mushroom Substrate Bag - 5lb
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How to Use Pasteurized Straw Mushroom Substrate Bag - 5lb
Preparing a Clean Workspace
Before working with the Pasteurized Straw Mushroom Substrate Bag - 5lb, it’s important to maintain a clean and sanitized workspace to reduce the risk of contamination. While using a laminar flow hood or still air box is ideal, you can still reduce contamination risks by following these steps:
- Disinfect your workspace thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or another sanitizing agent to remove dust and contaminants.
- Avoid working in areas with airflow from fans, air conditioners, or heaters, as these can introduce airborne contaminants.
- Wipe down the outside of the substrate bag with rubbing alcohol before handling to ensure a sterile surface.
- Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as scissors or syringes, before working with the substrate.
Maintaining a clean environment is crucial for a successful inoculation process. If you don’t have access to a laminar flow hood, consider using a still air box to limit airborne contamination during inoculation.
Inflating the Substrate Bag
The Pasteurized Straw Mushroom Substrate Bag is fully hydrated and pasteurized, but before inoculating, it’s important to slightly inflate the bag. This ensures proper airflow through the 5-micron filter patch. Here’s how to prepare the bag:
- Grasp the opposite gussets of the bag and gently pull them apart to allow air to enter through the filter patch.
- Repeat this process until the bag is slightly inflated and ready for inoculation.
Inoculating the Pasteurized Straw Substrate Bag
1. Prepare Your Spawn
Before inoculating the straw substrate, you’ll need to prepare colonized grain spawn. This can be done by inoculating grain jars or grain bags with liquid culture or spores and allowing the grains to fully colonize over several weeks.
2. Cut Open the Substrate Bag
Once your grain spawn is fully colonized, use sanitized scissors or a sterilized knife to carefully cut open the top of the substrate bag as close to the heat seal as possible. Be careful not to damage the sides of the bag or the filter patch.
3. Add Your Colonized Spawn
After opening the substrate bag, gently break up your colonized grain spawn. For spawn stored in jars, use a sterilized tool, such as a butter knife, to break up the grains. For spawn in bags, massage the bag gently to loosen the grains before adding them to the straw substrate bag.
Inoculate each 5lb substrate bag with about 1 pound (or 1 quart) of colonized grain spawn. This ratio ensures even colonization throughout the substrate and promotes healthy mushroom growth. You can add more spawn if you prefer to speed up the colonization process.
4. Reseal the Substrate Bag
After adding the spawn, reseal the substrate bag to maintain an airtight environment. The best way to do this is with an impulse sealer. If you don’t have an impulse sealer, you can fold the bag several times and secure it with large paper clips or packing tape. Avoid using micropore tape, as it won’t create the airtight seal necessary for proper colonization.
Incubating the Pasteurized Straw Substrate
Once inoculated, place the substrate bag upright, ensuring the 5-micron filter patch remains unobstructed. The substrate should be kept at room temperature, between 65-75°F, in a location away from direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations.
The colonization process typically takes 3-4 weeks, depending on environmental factors and the genetics of the mushroom strain. During this period, monitor the substrate to ensure that the mycelium spreads evenly throughout the straw. If colonization slows down, make sure the filter patch isn’t blocked and that the bag has proper airflow.
Introducing Fruiting Conditions
Once the straw substrate is fully colonized, it’s time to introduce fruiting conditions to encourage mushroom growth. Look for the appearance of hyphal knots—small white bumps that indicate the beginning of mushroom pinning. To promote fruiting, follow these steps:
- Open the bag once a day to allow fresh air exchange, which encourages mushroom pinning and fruiting.
- Maintain high humidity inside the bag (around 90%) by lightly misting the substrate. Be cautious not to over-mist, as too much moisture can cause aborts during the pinning stage.
- Monitor for mushroom development and harvest them just before the caps fully open to avoid spore release, which can interfere with future flushes.
Harvesting Your Mushrooms
When the mushrooms are ready, gently twist and pull them from the substrate to avoid damaging the mycelium. Avoid cutting the mushrooms, as this can leave material behind that may lead to contamination. After harvesting, continue misting and fanning the bag to encourage additional flushes. With proper care, the substrate can produce multiple flushes of mushrooms.
Monitoring for Contamination
Although the Pasteurized Straw Substrate is more resistant to contamination than sterilized substrates, contamination can still occur. Watch for unusual colors, slime buildup, or foul odors during the colonization and fruiting stages. If contamination occurs, it’s best to discard the affected bag and sanitize your workspace before starting a new project.
Conclusion
The Pasteurized Straw Mushroom Substrate Bag - 5lb is an excellent option for cultivating a variety of mushroom species. By following these steps for inoculation, incubation, and fruiting, you’ll be able to enjoy multiple flushes of healthy mushrooms. Always prioritize cleanliness and ensure that your substrate bag is properly prepared and maintained for the best results.