How to Use White Milo Mushroom Substrate Grain Jar - 1qt

How to Use White Milo Mushroom Substrate Grain Jar - 1qt

Setting Up a Clean Workspace

Before using the White Milo Mushroom Substrate Grain Jar - 1qt, it’s essential to maintain a clean and sanitized workspace to reduce contamination risks. Using a laminar flow hood or still air box is ideal, but you can still minimize contamination 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 particles.
• Wipe down the outside of the jar with rubbing alcohol to ensure a sterile surface before handling it.
• Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as syringes or scissors, before handling the jar.

Maintaining a clean workspace is essential 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.

Inoculating the White Milo Substrate Jar

1. Sterilize the Syringe Needle

Flame sterilize your 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 inoculation. This step ensures that the needle is free of contaminants.

2. Inject the Spores or Liquid Culture

Insert the cooled needle into the self-healing injection port on the jar lid. Inject 4-6cc of spore solution or liquid culture into the substrate. Spread the inoculant evenly by injecting into different areas of the jar to promote uniform colonization throughout the white milo grains.

Incubating the White Milo Substrate Jar

Once inoculated, place the jar in an upright position in a room-temperature environment between 65-75°F. Keep the jar away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. You may also incubate the jar at temperatures up to 80°F, but avoid exceeding this temperature to prevent stalling the mycelium’s growth.

Ensure that the 5-micron filter patch on the jar remains unobstructed to allow proper gas exchange. Mycelial growth should begin within 10-14 days, with full colonization typically taking 3-4 weeks when using spores. Liquid culture may reduce colonization time by about a week.

Using the Substrate for Spawn

Once the white milo substrate is fully colonized, it’s ready to be used as spawn. Grain spawn is not intended for direct fruiting but for inoculating nutrient-rich bulk substrates, such as manure or wood-based substrates. Here’s how to proceed:

• Transferring to a Secondary Substrate: Break up the fully colonized white milo grains by gently shaking or tapping the jar. Once the grains are loosened, the spawn can be transferred to a secondary substrate to promote larger flushes of mushrooms.
• For best results, use 1 quart of spawn to inoculate up to 5 pounds of secondary substrate. This ensures even colonization and promotes faster mushroom growth.

Monitoring for Contamination

Although the White Milo Mushroom Substrate Grain Jar is fully hydrated and sterilized, contamination can still occur if cleanliness isn’t maintained. Watch for unusual colors, slime buildup, or foul odors, as these are signs of contamination. If contamination occurs, discard the jar and sanitize your workspace before starting a new batch.

Maximizing Spawn Efficiency

To ensure your grain spawn fully colonizes and is ready for transfer to a secondary substrate, make sure the filter patch remains unobstructed to allow proper gas exchange during colonization. Maintaining consistent temperatures and a clean environment will help promote healthy mycelial growth.

Once your grain spawn is fully colonized, transferring it to a nutrient-rich bulk substrate, such as manure or wood, provides the necessary nutrients for producing large mushroom flushes. Using 1 quart of spawn to inoculate up to 5 pounds of secondary substrate ensures even colonization and optimal mushroom growth.

Conclusion

The White Milo Mushroom Substrate Grain Jar - 1qt provides a versatile and nutrient-rich medium for producing grain spawn. By following these steps, you’ll ensure successful colonization, allowing you to transfer the spawn to a secondary substrate for optimal mushroom growth. With proper care, you can enjoy multiple flushes of healthy mushrooms.

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