Test your knowledge about Spawn-to-bulk & Casing
How well do you know the core concepts behind spawn-to-bulk, field capacity, and casing? Evaluate yourself!
Learning resources to pass this quiz: Making mushroom cake, spawn to bulk, and casing
Questions covered in this Quiz
What is a casing layer? - Pick the best definition.
Possible answers:
- A nutrient layer to feed the mycelium
- A water-retentive top layer that helps create surface fruiting conditions (not a nutrition source)
- A chemical disinfectant barrier
- A substitute for the bulk substrate
Which is NOT an intended role of a casing layer? - Choose the incorrect purpose.
Possible answers:
- Help retain surface moisture
- Support a stable surface microclimate
- Provide nutrients to accelerate mycelium growth
- Encourage better fruiting conditions at the surface
Which are plausible benefits of casing? - Select all that apply.
Possible answers:
- Improved surface microclimate that can help pin formation
- Extra water reservoir for fruiting
- Beneficial microbial activity can support fruiting performance
- Makes contamination impossible
“Field capacity” most directly refers to... - Pick the best answer.
Possible answers:
- How sterile the substrate is
- Correct moisture level in the substrate
- CO₂ concentration inside the container
- Nutrient density of the bulk substrate
Squeeze test: water streams out. What does it imply? - Choose the best interpretation.
Possible answers:
- Too dry
- Too wet
- Perfect field capacity
- Too alkaline
Which squeeze-test outcome best matches “field capacity”? - Pick the best description.
Possible answers:
- No moisture appears at all
- A few drops appear, but it does not stream
- A steady stream of water
- The substrate falls apart completely
Why can thorough mixing (vs layering) speed colonization? - Pick the best explanation.
Possible answers:
- It increases contact points where mycelium can expand into the bulk
- It reduces the need for clean technique
- It sterilizes the bulk substrate
- It guarantees a higher pinset
Red flag: which coir product is most risky for mushroom work? - Pick the best answer.
Possible answers:
- Compressed coir brick that expands when soaked
- Coir that lists a pH range on the label
- Plant potting mixes that may include Trichoderma as a “beneficial” additive
- Plain, additive-free coir sold for general horticulture
Consolidation risk: what increases when you combine multiple units into one tub? - Pick the best answer.
Possible answers:
- The ability to isolate problems
- The chance of losing more work at once if contamination happens
- The need for moisture management
- The importance of clean spawn
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