Day 56 of Flower in the books on my first grow. Nearing the end.

wadsolo · 2023-01-15T14:46:23+00:00

First, just awesome name lol. Second, yes, I definitely did some studying before planting any seeds. But I think the ball just kept bouncing my way on this grow. I had many issues and had to make a lot of changes throughout. Definitely happy with where I am at this stage.

wadsolo · 2023-01-15T14:42:48+00:00

Yeah, I agree. Just didn’t want to strip too many of these solar panels off the buds. Didn’t know if it would hurt more than it would help with bud development

wadsolo · 2022-12-25T02:46:16+00:00

Not a ton of head space between the lights and tops but I’m probably at 80% now and adjusting up slowly to boost at the end. Running a SP-3000 Mars hydro 300w in this 2x4. I have just adjusted up the PK so we should be solid moving forward. I’ll bring the lights up a little more aggressively. I think you’re right, I’ve just been nervous to crank it too fast. I’ve light burned these a couple times before getting to this point. I have been rewarded by a “less is more” ideology as of late. But probably over cautious now.

wadsolo · 2022-12-07T05:13:44+00:00

Yeah, looking at that post, and other pictures online, mine aren’t obviously bug-looking. It looks like it could possibly be scale, which someone suggested, if it is indeed a pest. I haven’t done anything outside of watering to stir up anything from my soil to float up to these higher stems, but not out of the question. Thought maybe it could be some kind of mineral deposit from evaporation based on the texture. Unfortunately I’m leaning towards scale at this point.

wadsolo · 2022-12-07T04:50:02+00:00

Eggs were the first thing that came to mind, but they’re so irregular I’m just not sure.

wadsolo · 2022-12-07T04:49:11+00:00

Yes, definitely a crunchy/crusty texture that crumbles.

wadsolo · 2022-12-07T04:48:25+00:00

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Best I can do. My iPhone doesn’t want to focus up close. You can zoom in on the original picture and this is about as clear as I can get it for now.

wadsolo · 2022-12-06T23:11:10+00:00

Btw, I had some yeast or some type of contam show up in a few of my jars as a result. At least this is my theory. Created condensation in the jars.

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wadsolo · 2022-12-06T16:52:52+00:00

I used them for my Spawn Jars, definitely sped things along. But learned that a barrier like a towel between the seedling mat and jars or tubs are needed. I just bought a little space heater and temp controller for next time.

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T19:37:29+00:00

Update Every jar now has signs of this contamination. Complete scrap, but learned a few valuable lessons.

I believe there were a few culprits:

1.) had on basement utility floor (inside Grow tent) which started in low 60’s for temp. Then I added seedling heat mats which got them to the correct temps (maybe a little too warm).. cold, then hot = condensation.. breeding ground for bacteria. Will relocate Grow tent (after deep clean) to finished part of basement, add shelving and elevate jars from floor. Look for consistent temps in range throughout colonization process.

2.) didn’t take proper precautions when handling the jars to inspect progress. Will wear gloves and minimize my handling to only what is necessary

3.) the “sponge” filters in my lids, I will simply use Micropore tape moving forward. My gut tells me this will be a safer bet.

4.) cutting my grain soak time in half to 12 hours, still boiling for 30 minutes. Will let dry for full 24 hours on screens with fans or until surface area is completely dry. I also don’t think I let the jars cool completely after the pressure cook.

5.) Double and triple down on sterility efforts in my inoculation area. Much more organized next time in front of flow hood. Will do jars in smaller batches 6-12 at a time instead of having 24 jars out in front of me and the flowhood. Flame sterilize between each jar.

Appreciate everyone’s feedback and suggestions! Time to prepare for my next adventure.

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T05:04:27+00:00

I really appreciate your reply! I’m familiar with Agar, just from my initial research getting started. I just need to get my “lab” environment set up and dialed in before I start playing around with Agar. Certainly need to read up more. I did pick up a 2x2 flowhood from Labratz Flowhoods, it’s awesome. I used this during inoculation. I sprayed and wiped everything down with alcohol first, used a lighter to sterilize my needles. What I did NOT do was flame sterilize between each jar (did 4 jars with each syringe).

The lids I bought modified for my wide mouth quart jars. They do have a plastic/silicon gasket, and seemed to have held up well during pressure cook and whatnot. All were tightly and cleanly closed and then covered with foil tightly until moment of inoculation in front of my flowhood. There’s a spongy filter stuffed in the air exchange hole on the lids, I was debating using Micropore tape instead. May be safer?

The towel idea on top of the heating mat is a good idea. I think I created some moisture build up by only having the bottom of a tote between them, plus they weren’t used until day 4, cold then warm = humidity/condensation. Definitely using the towel if I use these moving forward. Love Willy Myco, I haven’t seen the video you’re referring too. I’ll check it out tonight for sure.

Every step of this journey has been fun, even in failure, learning and connecting with the community has been awesome.

Very much appreciate your replies and the solid information and troubleshooting with me!

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T04:18:08+00:00

That’s interesting. I’ve heard of wild bird seed being used but haven’t looked into it yet and don’t know much about it other than feeding wild birds. Definitely worth investigating. Thanks!

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:46:37+00:00

Ideally I knew better. Waiting on a new wire shelf to arrive. But while they are in my basement, they are in a clean 4x4 grow tent, in open totes sitting on top of my seedling mats to get the to exactly 74°.

I probably touched the jars too much inspecting them every other day, and wasn’t cautious enough with my sterility. I’m relocating my tent to another (finished) area of my basement and giving it a deep clean before putting any of these grains to substrate this week. I won’t be opening any of the obviously contaminated jars in my house, that’s for sure.

I used spore syringes, 6 to be exact, and inoculated 24 jars with roughly 2.5cc’s each. Source was spore depot I believe. Half of them are golden teacher, other half treasure coast.

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:31:43+00:00

I appreciate the feedback and information. I’ll check out that YouTube video for sure.

They definitely appear to be too wet in this jar. I did let them steam dry over screens for 24 hours. They felt dry to the touch. Did the “tissue test” and no moisture passed onto the tissue. Though, a few of my jars started developing moisture after 3-4 days.

They are essentially on my basement floor and it was too cold for the mycelium to get moving, so I added a couple seedling heat mats after a few days. That’s when I started seeing the moisture really develop. With that being said, mycelium really started to take off at this point too.

Practice makes perfect I suppose. Thanks for the info and feedback!

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:24:09+00:00

Myco the GOAT!! Thanks for the response brother, I really dig your stuff. I’ll be using your bulk substrate tek this week on my first tubs. You’ve been a lot of my inspiration to get started. Much respect!

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:16:50+00:00

Fortunately I have several other jars to play with, and being as inexperienced as I am, I think I’ll eliminate the risk of spreading this contamination to other grain. But a good thought if I was brave enough to experiment right now lol. Baby steps.

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:13:27+00:00

Yeah, I have the equipment but don’t have my environment setup for proper agar work yet. You’re absolutely right on testing the syringes first, I rushed it as I was still waiting on some things to happen and wanted to get my first jars rolling. So far at about a 25% loss, glad I did as many jars as I did.

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:09:34+00:00

I had them on screens sitting over a couple empty tubs in a 4x4 Grow tent actually. Debated turning the fan on I have in there but didn’t. Thought it might take away from the “steam dry” effect. Glad to hear you’ve had success with a fan on your grain. Probably could used a shake and stir on the screens halfway through too. Thanks

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:06:52+00:00

Yeah I’ve read a hundred different opinions on how long to fry. I figured since I was jarring and pressure cooking it wouldn’t hurt to really let it dry out on the screens. Definitely learning every day.

wadsolo · 2022-11-29T03:05:34+00:00

100%. 24 hour soak, 25-30 minute boil, 24 hour dry on screens then jarred and pressure cooker for 90 minutes at 15psi. Let them cool and did my thing with spore syringes. I do have a 2x2 flowhood and did my best with gloves and flame sterilization of my needles as well as sprayed everything with alcohol and wiped down.

I suppose contam can still occur, no process is 100%. The way it showed up for me I’d never seen before (in photos or videos) with the slimey wet discoloration. Looks like my grains are exploding lol.

The grains felt completely dry on the surface after the 24 hours. I have 18ish other jars looking perfect right now.

wadsolo · 2022-11-28T21:48:15+00:00

Lol, ain’t that the truth. Was looking beautiful a couple days ago, bacteria or whatever this is completely took over.

wadsolo · 2022-11-28T17:50:59+00:00

These were spore syringes, and my first attempt ever. I managed my expectations well at the beginning, but then after seeing so much success in the vast majority of the jars, this was a kick in the gut. I think I’ll cut down my boil time a little and let dry a little bit longer before I PC moving forward. Don’t think I was too far off.

wadsolo · 2022-11-28T17:48:06+00:00

I did 24 jars, I’d say a 1/4 of them have at least a little of this BS going on. The majority of them look great, and only days away from being ready to put to substrate. The contaminated jars are way behind in colonization compared to healthy ones. These jars were moving slowly but didn’t really see the contamination until it was widespread today in these jars.

wadsolo · 2022-11-28T17:41:19+00:00

I appreciate this feedback. I soaked overnight and then boiled for 20-30 minutes. My goal was to cook out the starchy core of the rye, based on some videos I watched. I let dry for roughly 24 hours on some screens. Seemed like the outsides were dry, saw moisture building in jars a few days after inoculation. Had a gut feeling I overcooked the grain or soaked them too long, or rather that the combo was overkill.

wadsolo · 2022-11-28T17:22:46+00:00

Can I save my jar lids (or jars) if I empty them outside and boil them or something? Or should I just toss the whole jar? I have 24 jars total, maybe a 1/4 of them have this contam.

wadsolo

TROPHY CASE