How to Use Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 5lb

How to Use Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 5lb

Setting Up a Clean Workspace

Before using the Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 5lb, it’s important to set up a clean and sanitized workspace to minimize 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 to ensure a sterile surface before handling.
• Sanitize your hands and any tools, such as syringes or scissors, before working with the substrate bag.

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.

Inflating the Substrate Bag

The Wood Based Mushroom Substrate - 5lb is fully hydrated and sterilized, but before inoculating, slightly inflate the bag to ensure proper gas exchange through the 5-micron filter patch. Here’s how to do it:

• 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 Wood Based Substrate

1. Prepare Your Spawn

Before inoculating the wood substrate, you’ll need fully colonized grain spawn. This can be prepared by inoculating grain jars or bags with spores or liquid culture, allowing the grain 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. If using jars, a sterilized butter knife can be used to break up the grains, while spawn in bags can be massaged by hand to loosen the mycelium. Add the spawn to the wood-based substrate.

One pound (or one quart) of spawn can inoculate up to 5 pounds of wood-based substrate. You may choose to use more spawn for faster colonization.

4. Reseal the Substrate Bag

After adding the spawn, reseal the substrate bag. The best method is to use an impulse sealer, ensuring a secure, airtight seal. If you don’t have access to a sealer, fold the bag several times and secure it 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 bag upright in a room-temperature environment (between 65-75°F). The substrate bag should be kept away from direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. Ensure that the 5-micron filter patch remains unobstructed to allow proper gas exchange during incubation.

Colonization typically takes about 3-4 weeks, depending on the environmental factors and the genetics of the mushroom strain. Monitor the bag during this period to ensure even colonization of the substrate.

Introducing Fruiting Conditions

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

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

Harvesting Mushrooms

When the mushrooms are ready for harvesting, 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 bag daily to encourage additional flushes.

Monitoring for Contamination

Although the Wood Based Mushroom Substrate is 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 - 5lb is a reliable and nutrient-rich option for growing wood-loving mushrooms like 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.

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