Apparently, you’re confusing bulk COLONIZATION with the FRUITING stage. Anyway, I’ll explain the possible issues for both cases.
1) Your bulk substrate won’t dry out during the colonization stage if it starts with the proper field capacity (ideal substrate moisture). Why?
Because the mushroom cake stays CLOSED during bulk colonization — typically for the first 5–10 days after spawning to bulk. There’s no airflow to cause evaporation.
A good way to test field capacity is by squeezing a handful of your substrate mix:
⛔️ If no water comes out when you squeeze, it’s too dry.
⛔️ If a light squeeze causes water to stream out, it’s too wet.
✅ You want to squeeze as hard as you can and see just a few steady drops — that’s perfect field capacity!
⸻
2) You don’t need a heating mat if your room stays at 19–21°C (66–70°F).
If you do need to use one, try to heat the air AROUND the cake rather than the cake itself. This helps reduce evaporation during the fruiting (pinning) period.
You can either:
– Place a heat mat beside the cake (without direct contact), or
– Put the cake on a wire rack and the mat underneath. This creates space between them → air heats evenly → evaporation is minimized
⸻
If your cake is fully colonized but the mycelium and top layer look dry, try soaking it in cold water for a few hours — as described in the current guide (just pour cold water and leave it to soak for a few hours).
P.S. It would be great if you could post a photo of your cake on the forum (https://shroomok.com/forum). That way I can take a proper look, because it’s hard to guess the real issue without seeing it
And a few questions from my side:
1. What's your room temperature?
2. What temperature is your heat mat set to?
3. What tek are you using — monotub, small cakes, or something else?
4. How much time has passed since spawning to bulk and since introducing fruiting conditions?
Hello! Thank you so much for your generous information. I live in a cold place, and my bulk dehydrated during the colonization stage due to the proximity and power of the heating pad. It hasn't generated pins. Should I rehydrate it, and how?
Привіт, чому в цій статті ти пишеш шо для етапу колонізаціїї достатньо температури 21-27, а в статті Інкубатор і Колонізація пише шо менше 27 не можна опускати температуру?
Thanks for your information trying to grow for first time got everything I ordered from multiple places and Genetics came in and I have no needles and had to order some and don't know how to store spores
This was super informative! Been growing for a couple of yrs now and am always learning new stuff. Great article here, very good info. Great job !!! Keep em growing!!
I’m afraid to open my lid. I live in an old house in a cold/damp climate and have not yet had a successful grow because it always gets contaminated despite dousing myself in rubbing alcohol and wiping everything down always when working with the monotub. I’m sure it’s in the air. I’m trying to keep the lid shut and rely on the humidifier, filter disks and the fan to do the work, but pinning hasn’t started and it’s been 13 days. Whats the minimum amount of fanning I can do?
or
or
Are they still safe to consume?
Pins mutation coral like growth KSSS strain
Hello @Dani from chile
Apparently, you’re confusing bulk COLONIZATION with the FRUITING stage. Anyway, I’ll explain the possible issues for both cases.
1) Your bulk substrate won’t dry out during the colonization stage if it starts with the proper field capacity (ideal substrate moisture). Why?
Because the mushroom cake stays CLOSED during bulk colonization — typically for the first 5–10 days after spawning to bulk. There’s no airflow to cause evaporation.
A good way to test field capacity is by squeezing a handful of your substrate mix:
⛔️ If no water comes out when you squeeze, it’s too dry.
⛔️ If a light squeeze causes water to stream out, it’s too wet.
✅ You want to squeeze as hard as you can and see just a few steady drops — that’s perfect field capacity!
⸻
2) You don’t need a heating mat if your room stays at 19–21°C (66–70°F).
If you do need to use one, try to heat the air AROUND the cake rather than the cake itself. This helps reduce evaporation during the fruiting (pinning) period.
You can either:
– Place a heat mat beside the cake (without direct contact), or
– Put the cake on a wire rack and the mat underneath. This creates space between them → air heats evenly → evaporation is minimized
⸻
If your cake is fully colonized but the mycelium and top layer look dry, try soaking it in cold water for a few hours — as described in the current guide (just pour cold water and leave it to soak for a few hours).
P.S. It would be great if you could post a photo of your cake on the forum (https://shroomok.com/forum). That way I can take a proper look, because it’s hard to guess the real issue without seeing it
And a few questions from my side:
1. What's your room temperature?
2. What temperature is your heat mat set to?
3. What tek are you using — monotub, small cakes, or something else?
4. How much time has passed since spawning to bulk and since introducing fruiting conditions?
Rehydration of psilocybe cakes
Hello! Thank you so much for your generous information. I live in a cold place, and my bulk dehydrated during the colonization stage due to the proximity and power of the heating pad. It hasn't generated pins. Should I rehydrate it, and how?
Rehydration of psilocybe cakes
Привіт, чому в цій статті ти пишеш шо для етапу колонізаціїї достатньо температури 21-27, а в статті Інкубатор і Колонізація пише шо менше 27 не можна опускати температуру?
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Fixed in the article
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In step 1your I structures state. "I Assemble MVP configuration" ... what's MVP?
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Thanks for your information trying to grow for first time got everything I ordered from multiple places and Genetics came in and I have no needles and had to order some and don't know how to store spores
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Yes
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Very informative. I like it.
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This was super informative! Been growing for a couple of yrs now and am always learning new stuff. Great article here, very good info. Great job !!! Keep em growing!!
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Roger Rabbit shrooms
Hoping mine get multiple large flushes as well! Looks great!
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I’m afraid to open my lid. I live in an old house in a cold/damp climate and have not yet had a successful grow because it always gets contaminated despite dousing myself in rubbing alcohol and wiping everything down always when working with the monotub. I’m sure it’s in the air. I’m trying to keep the lid shut and rely on the humidifier, filter disks and the fan to do the work, but pinning hasn’t started and it’s been 13 days. Whats the minimum amount of fanning I can do?
Fruiting period. Pinhead initiation, mushroom pinning and mushrooms growth parameters