How to Use Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 25lbs

How to Use Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 25lbs

Preparing a Clean Workspace

Before using the Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 25lbs, it’s important to set up a clean and sanitized workspace 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 substrate bag with rubbing alcohol to ensure a sterile surface before handling.
• Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as syringes or scissors, before handling the substrate bags.

Maintaining a clean workspace is critical to successful inoculation. If you don’t have access to a laminar flow hood, using a still air box can help limit airborne contamination during inoculation.

Inflating the Substrate Bags

The Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 25lbs comes in 5 x 5lb bags of fully hydrated and sterilized wood-based substrate. Before inoculating, you’ll need to slightly inflate each bag to allow for proper gas exchange through the 5-micron filter patch. Follow these steps:

• Grasp the opposite gussets of each bag and gently pull them apart to allow air to enter through the filter patch.
• Repeat this process until each bag is slightly inflated and ready for inoculation.

Inoculating the Wood Based Substrate

1. Prepare Your Spawn

Before inoculating the substrate, you’ll need to prepare fully colonized grain spawn. This can be done by inoculating grain jars or bags with spores or liquid culture and allowing the grain to fully colonize over several weeks.

2. Cut Open the Substrate Bags

Once your grain spawn is fully colonized, use sanitized scissors or a sterilized knife to carefully cut open the top of each 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 bags, gently break up the colonized grain spawn. If you’re using jars, use a sterilized butter knife to break up the grains. For spawn in bags, massage the bag gently to loosen the mycelium before adding it to the wood-based substrate.

Each 5lb bag can be inoculated with 1 pound (or 1 quart) of colonized grain spawn. You may use more spawn to speed up the colonization process, but the 1:5 ratio is effective for even colonization.

4. Reseal the Substrate Bags

After adding the spawn, reseal the substrate bags. The best method is to use an impulse sealer to ensure an airtight closure. If you don’t have access to a sealer, you can fold the bags several times and secure them with large paper clips or packing tape. Avoid using micropore tape, as an airtight seal is necessary for proper colonization.

Incubating the Wood Based Substrate

Once inoculated, place the substrate bags in an upright position in a room-temperature environment (between 65-75°F). Keep the bags away from direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. During incubation, ensure that the 5-micron filter patches remain unobstructed to allow proper gas exchange.

Colonization typically takes 3-4 weeks, depending on environmental factors and the genetics of the mushroom strain. Monitor the substrate regularly to ensure even colonization across the wood-based substrate.

Introducing Fruiting Conditions

Once the substrate is fully colonized, you can introduce fruiting conditions to promote mushroom growth. Look for hyphal knots—small white bumps that indicate the beginning of mushroom pinning. To initiate fruiting, follow these steps:

• Open the bags daily to allow fresh air exchange, which encourages mushroom pinning and fruiting.
• Maintain high humidity (around 90%) by lightly misting the inside of the bags. Be careful not to over-mist, as excess moisture can lead to mushroom aborts during the pinning stage.
• Monitor the mushrooms as they develop, and harvest them just before the caps fully open to avoid spore release, which can interfere with future flushes.

Harvesting 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 the substrate and fanning the bags to encourage additional flushes.

Monitoring for Contamination

Although the Wood Based Mushroom Substrate is fully sterilized, contamination can still occur if proper cleanliness isn’t maintained. Watch for signs of contamination, such as unusual colors, slime buildup, or foul odors. If contamination occurs, discard the affected bag and sanitize your workspace before starting a new project.

Conclusion

The Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 25lbs is a nutrient-rich and reliable option for cultivating wood-loving mushrooms such as shiitake and lion’s mane. By following these steps, you’ll ensure successful inoculation, incubation, and fruiting. With proper care, you can enjoy multiple flushes of healthy mushrooms from your bulk substrate.

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