3 parts

1 Sunshine Mix

2 Vermiculite

3 Equal parts Worm castings, coffee

So an example would be,
1 Cup Sunshine mix
1 Cup Vermiculite
1/2 Cup Worm castings
1/2 Cup coffee

Sterilize in the oven. Thoughts?

I'd do some more research. While this recipe doesn't look bad, there are other easier ones that work well and reduce contam risks. Coffee can be a tricky additive to bulk subs. Also... you don't want sterilize your substrate, you want to pasteurize it.

Good luck and Blessings

Steam instead of heat then ya?

Thanks for the tip. Coffee seems new to the scene but I think has some positive results. I will definitely read some more though.

Look up pasteurization - it has to do with x˚ for x minutes. Coffee isn't new... it can just add some worries that a beginner doesn't need to successfully grow fungus. Perhaps you're not a beginner, if I've guessed that in error, I apologize.

Have you grown before?

Let me also add that if you are new - I highly reccommend this http://www.mushroomvideos.com/. Without buying anything the guy gives you enough to grow mushies for yourself. For $10 you get enough info (vids) to set yourself up for life.

(I am not that guy - it's just a great set of instructional vids)

grown before but just PF Tek with Rice, and just used a pressure cooker. Went ahead and got another to not even bother with the oven at all. The oven just isn't a pressure cooker, am I right?
I never found any info or any reports on sunshine mix, but I have to think that will help if properly pastuerized.
Gonna try it with WBS and Rye.
Probably setup a double tub for fruits.

I'm no pro, but have had relative success. My subs have been simply coir, verm, and gypsum.

Yes, the oven isn't a pressure cooker - but it depends on what you're doing. You could sterilize verm in an oven if you needed to do that, but for most things that PC is your buddy.

I started out with WBS - worked great - then I got a hold of a bag of rye and like it even better. It hydrates more consistently and easily IMO and the uniform bigger grain size makes it easier to drain.

The big jump, for me at least, was for my sterile procedure between the PF tek and tubs... learned that the hard way. But you'll smile one gonzo-wide smile when you finally see that sea of pins in your tub.

Keep us updated - we love mushroom porn

He,
I'm by no means an expert but i do have some experience with bulk subs

I think the mix sounds right but still not very interesting my advice would be if you need a quick an fast way go for a 50/50 choir verm mix toss in some gypsum and your golden.

If you want a high performing substrate go for a mix of horse poo and some straw depending on the fluffiness ad some gypsum just to be sure. Make sure you have good casing layer with bulk subs this makes all the difference.
Also poo generally gives you more flushes then choir, and poo can give huge shrooms 80+ grams a piece.

The final thing is that poo is for free.

So if you read this you could conclude I'm a Poo man
the question is are you?

good luck

Yes, I am a poo man. Earthworm poo!

Not exactly what you had in mind, but I think that castings from worms will be much less contaminated so to speak because of how cool red worms are.
Although, if this experiment doesn't give a decent bulk yield then on to horse poo it is.

"Contamination" matters not, because you're going to kill all unfriendly contaminates via proper pasteurization of the substrate regardless of its composition.

Just saw pics from ur first grow Pulp. Nicely done.

Thanks - and don't take me the wrong way. If your main interest is in testing substrates... by all means go for it - I love a good science experiment if you're equipped to do it.

My point is just that if you wanna grow a pile of mushrooms in the easiest manner, keep it as simple as possible.


This was done with just coir/verm/gypsum. They tie-die my mind OH! So sweetly! - and THAT was MY main interest

Oh man!! That's got me all jacked up!

I'm starting a new batch of mushies. I haven't grown for almost a year. I had forgotten how much fun it is to grow them! Talk about putting in work, having to be patient and (hopefully) getting a nice reward.

Someone said it on the shroomery, and it's stuck with me, "Growing mushrooms is a mind expanding journey."

So I would say that my substrate recipe is adequate, but probably below average for a serious bulk flush or two or three. I did have a bit of control in that there were cakes of WBS with the substrate and BRF without. Not a significant difference in the amount but possibly some in the potency, but not enough test results were given.
Also, I haven't had green mold before using the coffee so I have to think the coffee had something to do with that. All research pointed to that being a common problem with coffee.
Next time, 50/50; don't reinvent the wheel.
Lastly, although my experiment didn't work really, and pastuerized bits and pieces of organic matter are effectively inert for the mycelium to grow in a bag or jar...it does matter. That is why spring water is better than distilled or tap, because of the other stuff mycelium can crawl around on.
Thanks for the help y'all.

worm castings are really great and very easy to pasteurize as well! moisten the castings until they start to clump without getting soupy, then a few minutes in the microwave should do the trick.

as an additive nutrient source i've used wheat straw in the form of those straw mini-bales that you can get in the craft dept. at wal-mart. put the straw in a pillow case and tie off the top then pasteurize in a big pot of water for about an hour. the straw will float to the top so you will need a brick, cinder block, or the like to keep it submerged. allow the pillow case to drain then add to the worm castings at a 1:1 ratio.

i've had greatest success for years using this method and very even flushing. for a casing layer i use coco-coir mixed with vermiculite at a 10:1 coir to verm ratio. i also add gypsum to adjust the pH of the casing layer for optimal mycelium growth.

not all worm castings are created equal, however, and you may have to resort to ordering it online if you can't find a reliable brand at your local garden supply store.