Join Shroomok on reddit icon or discord icon

Discussion regarding the optimal ratio of grain spawn to bulk substrate for mushroom cultivation

This discussion happened on Shroomok Discord Growers Community, in ❓general-questions channel

Entry point of conversation: https://discord.com/channels/868489864310566913/868489864922947609/1026577961253621800

October 3, 2022 - 7:34 PM (GMT).

In all the quotes, the original spelling and punctuation has been retained.

Let's get started and check out useful points from the members of Shroomok Growers Community!

πŸ”΄ Dino: I have a question, when it's time to mix with the bulk substrate, is there a disadvantage/advantage to use a sub 1:1 spawn:bulk ratio? Ex: 0.5:1

Recommended ratio of grain spawn to bulk substrate for mushroom growing
Photo by Dino - Shroomok Growers Community on Discord. What is the best ratio of grain spawn to bulk substrate


πŸ”΅ TRYPTO: Not necessarily bad but typically 1:2 - 1:3 is ideal

πŸ”΄ Dino: First of all, thanks for answering, I have gathered info on multiple forums and they all recommend anywhere between 1:1 and 1:4, but the definition of ideal is a bit blurry for me. Ideal in the sense that we can 'dilute' the spawn into larger volumes of bulk without affecting too much the yield of a single tub, effectively meaning I would 'waste' spawn if my spawn ratio is higher? Or ideal in the sense, that it's the ratio that maximizes the yield in any given tub?

I have also read that much higher bulk ratios increase the risk of contamination by increasing the time of colonization post spawn-to-bulk transfer, so that's a no go since my environment isn't as sterile as I would like it to be...

πŸ”΅ TRYPTO: Well your theory on that is correct, the longer it takes for your myc to colonize the higher chances something else can grow first. If you are using coir it's borderline impossible to contam the sub by itself, now if your spawn isn't clean, well that's a diff story. What im saying is that typically contam is introduced via spawn since coir has little to no nutrients for contam to thrive on. Now in regards to your question regarding the ratio of spawn look at it this way....the whole point of using a 1:3 for example over a 1:1 is that your cakes/spawn provides enough nutrients for your tub. The increased amount of sub gives your mycellium more surface area to colonize. More mycellium means you can bear more fruits. On the low end (1:1) you get less mycellium area but faster colonization as compared to 1:3, etc. The opposite is true for higher ratios. You get more surface area to colonize but it colonizes slower. I typically do 1:2 or 1:3 as I find it is a good mean choice between colonization speeds and surface area. Hope that answered all your questions.

Also I would like to mention that colonization speed is primarily determined by genetics, but when I refer to colonization speed in this sense it is simply due to it having to colonize more area to achieve full colonization, however the rate of colonization is the same.

Ex. ) 2 cars traveling at the same speed but different distances will reach their destination at different times

🟠 3EyeFlames: Agree with the 1:3

πŸ”΄ Dino: Thank you, I get your point. So as long as I can cover the whole surface area with the right depth requirement for fruiting to occur, I should be good no matter the ratio, as long as it stays in the accepted ranges. The question was asked because I have 'too much' spawn compared to what is typically used in a 66qt mono tub. What I have seen is people using 3lbs of spawn + 3-6 lbs of bulk for this size of tub, since I have 4.5lbs of spawn, I was just wondering if using 3lbs of bulk (on the low end) was problematic, from what I understand, it shouldn't be

πŸ”΅ TRYPTO: I dont think it would necessarily be problematic, more so a waste of spawn at that point

πŸ”΄ Dino: Exactly what I thought, might just use some to inoculate my next spawn bags and use one of my tubs with the extra spawn to see if there's a difference

To clarify, I have three bags destined to three tubs, one would be the experiment

πŸ”΅ TRYPTO: Send it

πŸ”΄ Dino: Sure will, if everything won't crash in my face until the end, I will share my results with you guys! Oh that gives me an idea, maybe we can start a spreadsheet with everyone's experiments and draw our own analysis for optimal growth! Data is my specialty

πŸ”΅ TRYPTO: That's been done already not here but there is a journal like that

πŸ”΄ Dino: Alright! Will look it up, thanks!

Comments (0)

You might be interested

Laminar Flow Hood for $99.86

Cheap and simple DIY guide on how to make Laminar Flow Hood for mushroom growing at home for under 100$ by PsychonautJim

Read more

Jan 2023

Read more
Laminar Flow Hood for $99.86

Shiitake growing guide

Step by step shiitake growing guide and grow report by mrzimm. Substrate recipe for shiitake cultivation. DIY shiitake g...

Read more

Feb 2023

Read more
Shiitake growing guide

Mycogone aka Wet Bubble

Shapeless masses, fluffy blobs of mycelium ooze with amber yellow orange brown liquid. Mycelium piss or wet bubble disea...

Read more

Feb 2023

Read more
Mycogone aka Wet Bubble

How Shroomok was born

Story about Shroomok birth, or how growing mushrooms became a web project. First ideas, attempts, mistakes, and further...

Read more

Feb 2023

Read more
How Shroomok was born

My incubator with spawn jars was overheated

What if I overheated mycelium in jars? What temperature kills mycelium? Is it possible to save spawn jars if incubation...

Read more

Feb 2023

Read more
My incubator with spawn jars was overheated

Recent publications

Liquid Culture

Liquid culture is a quick way to save and multiply mushroom mycelium. With this technique you can turn one syringe into...

Read more

May 2023

Read more
Liquid Culture

Cracked & split caps

A split or cracked mushroom caps and stems are neither contamination nor a disease. These symptoms indicate dehydration...

Read more

May 2023

Read more
Cracked & split caps

Shrooms and high temperatures

To grow shrooms is a real challenge when you got constant high environment temperature. I've collected a few solutions f...

Read more

Apr 2023

Read more
Shrooms and high temperatures

Cooling & heating with Peltier

How to cool down mushroom fruiting chamber in hot season and vice versa keep incubation chamber warmer in a cold season?...

Read more

Mar 2023

Read more
Cooling & heating with Peltier

Shroomok DiscordBot and Gallery

Shroomok becomes more image-oriented! New Gallery section on a website, lightbox script and super cool Shroomok DiscordB...

Read more

Mar 2023

Read more
Shroomok DiscordBot and Gallery
1
2
3
...
Last