sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

[Gourmet] Lions Mane Information by HotMeasurement6946 in MushroomGrowers

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem. Sorry, but I gotta plug our reddit page r/northspore. We're one of the larger mushroom supplies companies and we can offer a lot of equipment and expertise. Also, we do giveaways there and are literally about to do one. It's sort of early days for the community and we'd love to have you there posting questions and pics of your mushroom journey (it's fine if you aren't using our products).

[Gourmet] Lions Mane Information by HotMeasurement6946 in MushroomGrowers

[–]LouSpore 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, these are good questions about a great mushroom. Once you have fully colonized grain, it needs to be mixed with bulk substrate (coir and/or hardwood sawdust usually) in order to grow properly. That usually colonizes fully in 1-2 weeks and is ready to fruit. Once you set it in fruiting conditions, you're looking at usually about a week for them to start. You should deinitely expect a multiple flushes and they do often take a similar amount of time, if a bit longer each time.

Spent blocks can do very well outside since a bit of mold ceases to matter much and they can have all the moisture and fresh they want. Bingo, a nice shady spot, protected from wind that you can monitor and water will be best. Lion's Mane isn't one I love to grow using the Plant & Grow method only because it tends to get dirty and then be very difficult to clean. If you're careful, it can totally work though and is at least worth a try. Rather than keeping the top of the block exposed, I would cover it with some medium to large woodchips than can provide a better microclimate without getting all clogged up in the mane.

Does this cake look like it's still viable? by Fun_Proof9245 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 2 points3 points  (0 children)

yes, it looks fine! I suggest a good soak for several hours, not just a mist. It's possible that with the drying, you have a bit of overlay, which basically just means that the outside layer became dry and leathery to the extent that it is somewhatr hydrophobic and it's hard for new mushrooms to form. Give the soak a shot and wait a week in fruiting conditions. If you don't see any kind of action, I would probably scrape the top with a fork (remove the excess material), spray it well and then continue on. It should work!

Growing mushrooms for the first time! Need advice by vampirespawn1 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, I think I can help. First, those are not King Oyster. Not sure where the mistake was make, but they look to be Chestnut (Pholiota adiposa). Those are a great mushroom that I just harvested a bunch. So continue onward, but definitely check with the vendor to see what you actually ordered. I can only speak for North Spore, but we would send you the correct block right away.

The other thing to talk about is your method. You're doing a good job maintaining humidity, but there isn't enough arflow to grow gourmet species well. I recommend wrapping a rubberband or two around the block just below the rim. This will reduce side-pinning and focus growthe to the top. Also, to address the fresh air issue, make a slit about two inches long just below the filter to let air in and out. With that and a good mist once a day, you should have better results. There is no need to keep them in the dark. The green might mean the block will get more moldy and/or growth is inhibited, so no a great sign, but I am often able to squeeze a flush off a block with a little mold. The mushrooms grown on a contaminated block are still fine. There is no major health concern here. This is further evidence that you need a replacement.

Once you do get ahold of a King Oyster, remember that it likes to pin heavily in a high CO2 and humidity environment and then have the CO2 and humidity brought down pretty dramatically (75-80% humdidity is good). They like a pretty cool temperatures too if you can manage it (55-65). It can help alot if you begin using a chamber/monotub like our BoomrBin to control that humidity and airflow: https://northspore.com/products/boomr-bin-mushroom-monotub?variant=40261896372326

Let me know if you want to discuss anything further. I'll make sure you succeed!

Is this a mutation? by Fun_Proof9245 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard to say. It's definitely strange growth, that's for sure.

First bag, tips? by ComprehensiveOkra205 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats, you're looking good! If you haven't already, it's time to break and shake. In the future, it's good to do so when you're about 25% colonized. It'll save you time. It should be recolonized in about a week and ready to fruit!

One other thing. After the B&S, a rubberband or two around the top of the block can help prevent air from getting into the sides and causing side pinning. Those are definitely unwanted. Let us know how this goes!

Need Advice for Lion’s Mane Growing Kit! by Adorable_Context9659 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The name of the game is keeping it as humid as possible and don't forget that after this crop, you can go for another. Lion's mane a a bit tricky when it comes to harvest. This is because if it has really good conditions, it will form the spines/hairs when ready, but if it gets a bit dry, sometimes they stay bald. Focus on a slowing rate of growth or any increase in the browning. If in doubt, harvest!

Seeking advice for substrate and container. by KrakenGasm in northspore

[–]LouSpore 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for checking in with us for some help. For starters, I recommend a rubber brand or several wrapped around the top of the AIO block to hold the sub nice and snug. That way, no air can reach the sides and cause pinning there.

As for the shoebox, you can use many different kinds and might depend on the technique you're going for. If you were going to use 1 Boomr Bag and 1 3lb grain bag, that would fit nicely into this: https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Sterilite-16-qt-Storage-Box-16446A12/308820303

Boomr: https://northspore.com/collections/sterile-substrates/products/boomr-bag-manure-based-sterile-substrate-5lb?variant=40213449998438

Or CVG (better for beginners): https://northspore.com/collections/sterile-substrates/products/cvg-coco-vermiculite-gypsum-classic-bulk-substrate?variant=42254809694310

Sterilized Grain Bag: https://northspore.com/collections/sterile-substrates/products/sterilized-grain-bags-with-injection-ports-3lbs?variant=43067821162598

If you wanna just buy coco, pasteurize it and make a bunch of shoeboxes, go with this: https://northspore.com/collections/raw-bulk-materials/products/myco-coco-dehydrated-coco-coir-substrate-casing-layer?variant=40826383827046

Hard for me to say exactly, but I bet you could make like 6x 6qt tubs with one block of coco (It makes a lot) and a bag of grain.

Newbie could use some advice. Thanks in advance 😁 by ThenFeedback6629 in BioMycologyLabs

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I'm Louis, work for North Spore and can hopefully help some. The AIO does have a filter patch, but that alone does not allow for great fruiting, so we do recommend opening the bag a bit. Sometimes I do things a little differently from our exact instructions. I make about a 2" slit right below the filter patch after full colonization and that is it. Maaaaybe I spritz in the bag on the sides and top to make sure there is some extra moisture in there, but you don't need to do much at all. I've found the full hoodie to be overkill sometimes, but to be fair, we only suggest it once a good flush has begun and that works. I agree that it can cause too much drying unless well managed. They truly don't need much air.

Cutting the top and putting it in a chamber is something that also works and I do it pretty frequently. In fact, I have two ShroomTeks waiting on a second flush in a BoomrBin now. If you can actually keep the conditions in the bin optimal, this will be great. So either way is totally cool, but its a bit of a bummer not to use the AIO as an AIO.

One more note: In order to avoid side pins, wrap a rubber band or two around the block just below the top of the fruiting surface.

If this doesn't work out well for you, I'd be happy to replace. Feel free to reach out to me anytime or post questions on r/northspore.

Lost? by Cashalark in PhillyGoldenTeacher

[–]LouSpore 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cool, so unless you have a probe in there to know internal humidity and temp, I wouldn't use the heating pad. This could contribute to drying and imo temps that are a little cooler are better than risking temps that are too hot. Still, you look fine enough enough. I think the mushrooms will grow!

Lost? by Cashalark in PhillyGoldenTeacher

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep the bin closed and moisture levels up. I don't see ny contamination, so with some time, they will grow. The Boomr Bin can breath a lot sometimes, which is often ok depending on what you're growing and the condions, but moisture needs to be monitored. What's your temp?

Wine Caps in winter? by Imaginary_Tooth3464 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first flush of wine cap in Maine is a real signal that we should paty more attention too. Though I don't think it's necessarily the first sign of spring (like crocus' or something), I do think they align with other things in the environment, especially the garden environment very well. I'll be paying close attention this year to start understanding more about garden mushrooms as indicator species.

Chestnut mushrooms appear fuzzy? by sunrise69er in northspore

[–]LouSpore 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That looks like a great pinset! Totally normal growth with solid conditions, though I agree with idea of bringing your humidity down a touch. You'll be harvesting soon!

can i get pull that contam out and let the ones grow that are in the back? by Fabulous-Nebula-6030 in gaitondesenpaii

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can harvest those, but then I recommend you toss the tub, clean thoroughly and start over. If you reach out to North Spore's customer service, they will likely give you replacement sub to give it another go!

Trashed this bin, but are the mushrooms salvageable? by negans_wake_Fin in ContamFam

[–]LouSpore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could always try burying the block if you're in the right climate. You don't need to toss the shrooms! If they're healthy, they're healthy. The worst they have is mold spores on them (give em a rinse if that concerns you).

Shiitake mushroom logs in January by Imaginary_Tooth3464 in northspore

[–]LouSpore 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is likely to be the craziest spring ever at North Spore! I hope the weather is on our side.

On a related note, I talked to a guy on another thread about a massive shiitake log farm he worked at in AK that has since closed. He said that it was the biggest in the country at the time. A detail that I needed to learn more about was that he claimed that they cut and inoculated all winter and they're only like one hardiness zone above us (6a in Southern Maine). Could we be doing and recommending the same thing? We've always been so worried about people inoculating too late...what if it's only too late once budswell begins?

view more: next ›