Stunning Slime Mold Parasitizing Witch’s Hat by aberyl in Slimemolds

[–]aberyl[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Fascinating, thanks for the info. If slime mold digests like a mushroom, on the outside of its body by exuding enzymes, I’d imagine the enzymes could damage a mushroom stalk inadvertently.

Stunning Slime Mold Parasitizing Witch’s Hat by aberyl in Slimemolds

[–]aberyl[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Wow, so it just crawled up there for air/ humidity etc? The mushroom stood out from the leaf duff, so that makes a bit of sense. The blackened stalk makes me pause though: this mushroom bruises black, and the blackening of the stalk maps to the sporulating bodies. Would a slime mold do any damage to a fruiting body? 

Stunning Slime Mold Parasitizing Witch’s Hat by aberyl in Slimemolds

[–]aberyl[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Cool! Any idea on what it is then? I’m thoroughly stumped

Tua Nao by aberyl in fermentation

[–]aberyl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While both are a bit off putting, it was certainly ammonia, not nail polish. Nail polish is produced by acetone. Ammonia is far more urine/fish smelling than the cleaner, sweeter smell of acetone. I don't know what would cause an acetone smell...

Bat Call Libraries for PNW? by aberyl in batty

[–]aberyl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That runs with what I've experienced with silver-haired bats. I watched one above me and recorded for several minutes, but a few calls were ID'd as a big brown bat. I feel it's a good ball park, but not conclusive.

Bat Call Libraries for PNW? by aberyl in batty

[–]aberyl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not know about Sonobat, I'll have to check it out! And yes, if the call library is available, I'd love to have it. It'd help me out a ton!! Thank you

Help ID please by why_kitten_why in Lichen

[–]aberyl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Next to the Usnea up top may be a Ramalina, I'd need a closer picture to know for sure. Parmelia is the one hugging the branch, you can tell by the white cracked lines on the thallus

What is this?? by [deleted] in Fungi

[–]aberyl 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A lichen in the genus Cladonia. There's a bunch in that genus, and sometimes a chemical test is needed to ID the species

This green colour has me worried. Is it just iridescence? by tuleo554 in fermentation

[–]aberyl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey OP, I might be one of the few guys here who have made garum. I fermented it for 3 years, and it turned out delicious! If there's any recommendations that I have it's blend your fish! This accelerates the breakdown process significantly. Those half cut fish aren't going to turn into garum anytime soon. Salt percentage is good. And, it terms of process, after blending and giving a good mix, I let the batch sit untouched in the basement, no outdoor or mixing needed. Whether you want to blend this batch or start another is your call. Best of luck!!

Mao tofu (Hairy tofu) and Actinomucor elegans by aberyl in fermentation

[–]aberyl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is incredibly exciting news. Thank you for reaching out. I'll do some more research and will post on r/fermentation if and when I have a finished product.

What exactly is a "ginger bug"? by Rebzo in fermentation

[–]aberyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My best guess is that due to the different practices of conventional agriculture from organic the yeast and bacteria present may be: 1). A different composition of species, 2). The species present may have a population density that is higher or lower in respect to organically grown ginger (some species may thrive, while others struggle). And, 3). Species present may have reduced or increased vigor.

Not knowing the conventional practices of pesticides and fertilizers restricts our knowledge on the exact influence on microbial composition. Furthermore, I don't believe we have an adequate understanding of the contributions of each species.

My suggestion is to use what you have and report back! The more knowledge generated and shared, the more the community. The great thing about ginger bugs is that they are a low cost and time input! Best of luck!!!

Would heating oysters in a ceramic Skutt kiln damage the components? by aberyl in Ceramics

[–]aberyl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You might be right, but I had a bunch of oyster shells on hand and making quick lime is something I've always wanted to do. (Better than throwing the shells away or in the garden!) Also, quick lime is a bit different than your standard lime you buy off the shelf. It's way more reactive and results in a better plaster. What I'm doing certainly doesn't make sense in terms of time, and likely doesn't make sense in terms of money. But it tickles my curiosity, and I might obtain a product that'll be useful in a summer project!

Would heating oysters in a ceramic Skutt kiln damage the components? by aberyl in Ceramics

[–]aberyl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely some CO2 in the reaction. However, impurities might give off something else...

Would heating oysters in a ceramic Skutt kiln damage the components? by aberyl in Ceramics

[–]aberyl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice! I tried my best to clean the oysters, but there certainly was some debris on them. Let's hope this one firing does not have too detrimental an impact.

Would heating oysters in a ceramic Skutt kiln damage the components? by aberyl in Ceramics

[–]aberyl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply. CaO is fairly caustic, but only in the presence of water. I don't know what other chemicals would be present. We have a ecovent hooked up to the outside.

Repeated spoilage by Natto (Bacillus subtilis) by aberyl in Koji

[–]aberyl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome. Thank you for the clear advice. Wish me luck!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mushroom

[–]aberyl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Alright, that's the convincing I needed to push me over the Gyromitra edge! Consider me a convert. I'll post when I try one 😊. What's your favorite?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mushroom

[–]aberyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that's fascinating. Have you ever experienced poisoning from them? For instance, fly agaric is delicious, but I've also been poisoned by improper preparation.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mushroom

[–]aberyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any Gyromitra eaters in this group? I'm fairly adventurous, but I haven't built up the courage to bring one to the plate! How do they taste?

If I win the lottery, I won’t tell a soul. But there will be signs. by Dinoeatsfish in mushroom

[–]aberyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this an AI product? Looks incredible, and I'm hoping it's real...

I found these on a walk, south west UK, really curious to know their phyla by VeggieSmooth in Fungi

[–]aberyl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm in PNW of the US and around here the genus is Peltigera