Basic Instructions

 

 

Thank you for choosing Tennessee Stud Mushroom Substrate. If you purchased our Pre-Pasteurized Substrate we recommend that you use the product within 7 days of delivery. Although it would most likely (because of our filter bags) last  longer, in this hobby you must always have the upper hand when it comes to contaminants. Straight Poo will last longer than 50/50 mix due to the straw.

The following is a brief introduction to using Tennessee Stud Mushroom Substrate. If you want to learn more about growing mushrooms, please visit the link provided at the bottom of the page

Make sure you work in a clean environment. As a rule of thumb, a 1:10 spawn to substrate ratio is optimum for innoculation.

Always wash your hands before working with substrates & spawn. Open your Pre-Pasteurized substrate bag and pour out 1/4 to 1/3 into the bottom of a plastic container (The amount depends on th size of the container). Rubbermaid type dish pans or inexpensive plastic kitty litter containers work well. It really doesn't matter what type of container you use, just make sure you can add 3-6 inches of substrate and leave at least 2-3 inches below the top rim. Also make sure that light cannot get through the container. If you are unsure if any light can get through you can tape the sides and bottom with black electrical tape, foil, duct tape or something that will block any light from getting through. This will prevent mushrooms from growing below the surface.

After you pour 1/3 to 1/4 of the substrate into the container add a thin layer of spawn to the top. Mix this together in the pan and repeat the process until you get to the recommened level. We also recommend that you sprinkle the top layer with an even layer of spawn. This will colonize quite quickly and help prevent contaminants from getting in.

Once this is accomplished cover the container with a garbage bag or foil. Poke holes in the foil and place another piece of foil to gently sit on top. This will allow some air exchange. If you use a garbage bag just cover it up and let the ends drape over the container so some air exchange is possible.

Place the container in an environment where it will maintain a temperature of 82-86F. In about 7-10 days your substrate should be fully colonized with healthy mycelium and is ready to be cased.

If you have any questions about using bulk subsrtrates I highly recommend this website. It's the best on the internet; Exlore it, Study it and Interact with it. If you are serious about this hobby, use this website to discover a wealth of information on growing all kinds of mushrooms.

 

Roadkill's Horse Poo Tek For Dry Substrate Preparation 

 Ok a hell of alot of people have asked for my horse poo tek.
first off It's not my horse poo tek.
It was taught to pleezr and I by Pavlov's Dog.....in person at his house.
I have changed it a bit....but credit is due to him, not me....I'm no theif.

Also the using the food processor part was taken from OldTimer....I believe.

So here is the horse poo tek, Pav said that I could write this up!

You want the horse poo to be dried out....this is important. 
Then you put some in a pillow case....amount depends on the size of your pot.
Tie off the pillow case.....Put it in a big ass pot.
put purified or mineral water in the pot....tap water is fine if you have good quality tap water.
Get a weight to hold the pillow case down....I use a 20 pound weight lifting weight.
get a candy thermometer.....you'll need one....most grocery stores have it.
turn the stove on and get it up to 160 to 175 degrees.
make sure by checking the candy thermometer.
this is called pasturizing. ....don't go over 175 degrees.
do this for 30 to 40 minutes.
after you are done.....let it cool down.
then ring the pillow case out into the pot.
after some good ringing out.....Put an oven rack over over the sink and place pillow case on top to drain.
leave in there for a hour or so...longer is better.
Keep the poo water....you can use that for your water mixtures....for like cakes or grains.....the added nutrients of the poo water is good! 
I fill up empty gallon water jugs with poo water....Roses like it too.
Now that the pillow case is done draining after awhile....open it up and check it.
It should be moist.....not runny.....hand squeeze it out if you have to.
you can wash your hands later if you don't like icky stuff....doesn't bother me. 
Get some standard size dish tubs(black colored prefered) 
Fill the tub with 3" to 4" of the poo. 
make sure that the poo is cool...after it is cool.....proceed.
Take a PF cake and put it in a food processor...and hit the start button a few times.
break the cake up into little peices....don't over do it...or you will get putty.
*** You will get thousands of inoculation points to the poo by using a food processor....cause the substrate will be well broken up and spread out more ***
If you don't have a food processor.....break the cake up by hand.
but if you break them up by hand...make sure that they are broken up really small.
You can spawn the cake into the poo that is in the dish tub.....mix it up really good....only a 1/2 pint cake is needed per pan.
If you want.....you can spawn with Grain, Birseed....etc.
Doesn't have to be a BRF cake.
Cover up the pan with Alum foil after you have mixed in the substrate with the poo.
Take a fork and punch little holes in several places.....like 9 places in the Alum foil though out the top.
Stick this in the incubator......and you should see growth in a day or 2.
After you get the whole pan of poo colonized you can case it with a Coco Coir casing or any casing layer you want.....or you can let it fruit in the fruiting chamber without a casing layer..... a casing layer can be better!
Of course you would leave the container in the incubator if you put a top casing layer on.

I would like to sincerely thank Roadkill for the above basic outline of Dry Substrate preparation. The man is my inspiration for this website.  

This Tek can be used to pasteurize  poo, straw or both

 Just a couple of notes--Instead of pillow cases you can use 5 gallon nylon paint filter bags available at Lowes or paint stores like Sherwin Williams. They are re-usable and cheaper than replacing pillow cases. Whatever you use--put something on the bottom of the pot to prevent possible burning or melting of the bag. I like small round cake racks you can find for a buck at most dollar stores.

I recommend a metal cheese grater as opposed to a food processor for breaking up cakes. IMO it's too easy to turn the cake into mush using the food processor. Plus the grater is easier to wipe down with alcohol(allow to dry completely)prior to grating.

 

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