If you don't want to go through with the
shredding process described below, you can get pre-shredded straw
from Mushroom
Magic. Be sure to report back on your results
Sure I can elaborate a little on how to use straw as a substrate.
I will do a quick run-down on how to prepare small amounts a
pasteurized straw in your kitchen. I like to use small amounts
because it is easier, but this method can be used for any size
project. Anyway,....
....First, you need to locate some suitable (dry & mold-free)
straw. Wheat and oat straw are ideal, but other straws will work.
Hay will also work, but try to find a source that doesn't have large
quantities of seeds. A few seeds can boost yields but too many can
cause contamination out-breaks. Straw straight from the bail will
work, but pre-shredding it prior to use will help. The easiest way
to do this is with a shredder. Or, if using small amounts just place
some straw in a cardboard box use a sharp pair of grass
shears(chop,chop,chop...). You want the pieces to be 1-3 inches in
length.
....Now we need a large stock pot (20qt+) to pasteurize the straw
in. Fill the pot about half way full of hot tap-water and heat it
till near boiling on a stove burner. Next, take your shredded straw
and place it into a nylon mesh lingerie bag (from Wal-mart in the
laundry section) and submerge it into the hot water. Place a heavy
bowl (or something similar) on the bag to keep it completely under
water. Put the lid on the pot and let the straw steep at about
~150deg.F~ for one full hour making sure that water doesn't boil
dry. After 1 hour, take out the bag (wear rubber gloves) and place
it into a large pasta strainer to cool and drain. If you want to be
extra cautious you can take your pot and invert it over the strainer
to prevent air-bourne contamination....But, this isn't really
necessary because pasteurized straw is fairly resistant to
contaminants....
....Once cool ('bout 45min-1hour), give the bag a good squeeze to
get rid of the excess water. Now you are ready for inoculation. I
like to dump the straw in a large clean rubbermaid container and
then mix in some grain spawn by hand (wash with antibacterial soap
or wear gloves). Now pack your straw+spawn into a suitable
container. I like to use small rubbermaid containers. Cover the top
with tinfoil and puncture with a clean needle several times. Proceed
with the spawn-run. You should have about two weeks (plenty of
time!) to establish the mycelium of choice. Well, thats about
it....a little bit longer than I expected but o'well. Oh yea, straw
is also good for cultivating Pan cyan, Ps. tampanensis, and
Pleurotus ("oyster mushrooms") species. For using larger amounts,
use a 55 gallon drum heated with a propane burner.....Good Luck!
Comments on this article:
Posted by: 100021
2003-09-26
09:53:06
Great Tek. I like to use one container of worm castings mixed
right in during pasturization. Ive found that this gives me HUGE
growths... Im talking (TCs) a stalk 10-12 inches long, and caps up
to 4-6 inches around. Very good.
