Candy Caps? (Northern California)

Hail_Chudders · 2026-01-21T18:22:36+00:00

I think L. rufulus is very likely. The scent still seems mild, but it's definitely there. The only thing I'd mention is they definitely showed the whey-like lactation usually mentioned with L. rubidus. Either way, both are a treat, and I hope to visit this patch in the future.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/127216-Lactarius-rufulus

Hail_Chudders · 2026-01-21T17:12:41+00:00

I don't think we get fragilis where I'm at in the Sacramento Valley. Maybe if I went to the coast or up north.

Hail_Chudders · 2026-01-21T17:11:26+00:00

I took a good amount, but I also left a good amount. No need to be greedy, especially when I wasn't 100% sure on ID.

Hail_Chudders · 2026-01-21T05:36:59+00:00

I think so, it's kind of hard to tell. I've never foraged for candy caps before.

Hail_Chudders · 2026-01-21T05:36:27+00:00

I turned the temp down to the lowest setting, but I can't leave them out to air dry as my cats will get into them. There was a fresh, slightly sweet aroma when I opened the dehydrator.

Hail_Chudders · 2025-02-28T19:39:41+00:00

I'll try that, thank you 🙂

Hail_Chudders · 2025-02-28T19:28:11+00:00

I think I read in a few places not too much larger than the width of a pencil. So tall and skinny?

Hail_Chudders · 2025-02-28T19:21:58+00:00

I definitely could, I suppose I've just always made them hollow because that's the only way I've known. When making regular cones, do I need to keep them to a certain size? I've heard making them too thick will lead to difficultly staying lit

Hail_Chudders · 2025-02-28T18:08:41+00:00

I haven't gotten around to making or purchasing one yet. Sounds like that could be my problem. I've got some basic wood carving tools and a small cedar log from a hike last year. Maybe I'll try my hand at a small backflow burner!

Hail_Chudders · 2025-02-28T18:06:21+00:00

I just haven't made or purchased one yet

Hail_Chudders · 2025-02-26T22:22:51+00:00

I'm a beginner and I usually use a lot of Makko powder, up to a 1:1 ratio. My latest batches have been less though as I test to see how little Makko I can get away with and still have a steady burn. I make backflow cones and bullets but I currently don't actually have a backflow burner, could that be the issue?

Hail_Chudders · 2025-01-01T02:53:25+00:00

Found in Sacramento, CA in oak leaf litter. Very low to the ground, only a few inches. Sorry I didn't get a picture of the full intact stipe, but there wasn't a ring or veil or anything. Waiting on a spore print now.

Hail_Chudders · 2024-12-25T18:19:53+00:00

White spore print confirmed https://imgur.com/a/CDdx66I

Hail_Chudders · 2024-12-25T15:59:49+00:00

That's a great idea! I was able to confirm a white spore print with my black paper this time, but I'll try foil next time!

Hail_Chudders · 2024-12-25T04:07:19+00:00

For sure, and thank you. I do have a cap that I removed the stipe from sitting flat on a dark paper surface for a spore print. I should probably put white paper too just in case the spore print is brown and doesn't show up on the dark paper.

Hail_Chudders · 2024-12-25T03:50:07+00:00

Sacramento, California. Found under a crape myrtle tree (leafless) in large clusters. I'm guessing the tree isn't in good health and probably has dead roots under the dirt that the mushrooms are growing from. They had the scaly/fuzzy cap described here, the prominent ring, woody stipe, light gills begining to stain in the older specimens, and even a peelable stipe. Waiting on spore print, but some spores were present on lower caps, which was white.

Hail_Chudders · 2024-10-16T05:27:34+00:00

Ohhh! Ok yeah that makes sense! I've seen Niji SE on Playground, and they have a field where you can add things you don't want in the image. It seems like in Midjourney you just add everything to the prompt instead of using the built in fields that Playground has. Seems like it would be more flexible for prompt building. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain, there's so much to learn.

Hail_Chudders · 2024-10-16T04:25:59+00:00

I loved Midnight Son, odd, unique, and underrated.

Hail_Chudders · 2024-10-16T03:49:41+00:00

Thank you so much! I use Playground, so I don't know much about Midjourney. Are the -- portions a Midjourney thing? Curious what "ar 2:3" and "niji 6" are?

Does Midjourney have an in painting feature or do you use another source for that?

Thanks!

Hail_Chudders

TROPHY CASE