White Milo Mushroom Substrate Jars - 12-Pack.

How to Use White Milo Mushroom Substrate Jars - 12-Pack

Preparing a Clean Workspace

Before working with the White Milo Mushroom Substrate Jars - 12-Pack, it’s important to create a clean and sanitized environment to minimize contamination risks. Using a laminar flow hood or still air box is ideal, but you can still reduce 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 each jar with rubbing alcohol before handling to ensure a sterile surface.
• Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as syringes or scissors, before handling the jars.

Maintaining a clean workspace is critical to successful inoculation. 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 Jars

1. Sterilize the Syringe Needle

Flame 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 inoculation. This 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 each jar. Spread the inoculant evenly by injecting into different areas of the substrate to promote uniform colonization throughout the white milo grains.

Incubating the White Milo Substrate Jars

Once inoculated, store the jars in an upright position in a room-temperature environment between 65-75°F. Keep the jars away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. You can incubate the jars at temperatures up to 80°F, but avoid going higher to prevent stalling the mycelium’s growth.

Ensure that the 5-micron filter patches on the jar lids remain unobstructed during incubation to allow proper gas exchange. You should begin to see mycelial growth within 10-14 days, with full colonization typically occurring in 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 jars are fully colonized, they are ready to be used as spawn for inoculating a secondary substrate. Grain spawn is not meant for direct fruiting but for transferring to nutrient-rich bulk substrates, such as manure or wood-based substrates. Here’s how to proceed:

• Transferring to a Secondary Substrate: Break up the colonized white milo grains by gently shaking or tapping the jars. 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 per jar to inoculate up to 5 pounds of secondary substrate. This ratio ensures even colonization and promotes faster mushroom growth.

Monitoring for Contamination

Although the White Milo Mushroom Substrate Jars are fully hydrated and sterilized, contamination can still occur if cleanliness isn’t maintained. Be on the lookout for unusual colors, slime buildup, or foul odors, as these are signs of contamination. If contamination occurs, discard the affected jars and thoroughly 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 patches remain unobstructed to allow proper gas exchange. Maintaining consistent temperatures and a clean environment will help promote healthy mycelial growth.

Once the 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 Jars - 12-Pack offers a versatile and nutrient-rich medium for producing grain spawn in bulk. 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 from your bulk substrate.

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