Welcome

In awe of a new four weeks of blogging, I have adjusted the formatting slightly of these posts to make them easier on the eye.

If you are new, welcome. You can begin the wonderful journey along mushroom research, growth, and use, here: @trezzahn/psychoactive-research

Myself (https://hivebuzz.me/@trezzahn) , well, I blog daily (https://actifit.io/trezzahn , with my photography reports here, https://actifit.io/activity/trezzahn#), as well as post and stay active on both this forum, and another, #StemGeeks.

I aim to help others stay motivated. To better their mental, and physical health, through means of individualistic actions seperate from that of societal norm and based entirely on personal desire for their life of true happiness.

Picking up from where we left off, we should now have some form of sterilized substrate to work with. This substrate will act as the medium for which the mycelium will grow and eventually grip to.

This week, we examine the process of consolidation that comes AFTER inoculation. We will discuss inoculation more in-depth on StemGeeks next week.

Also this week, we will look at via StemGeeks, how a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber, or SGFC, is made and why it is to be utilized during this particular tek.

So sit back, enjoy this weeks read, and thanks for tuning in!

Examined prior, both in HypnoChain and StemGeek's Section One blog, links below;

Inoculation

*to be later examined further in StemGeeks S.2: P.3

Ultimately, inoculation can be accomplished one of two ways:

Direct injection via liquid culture, syringe, or other method, or
Placement of two to three wedges on the sterilized substrate

All to be completed in a sterile environment; these will be later examined more closely next week on StemGeeks, as we focus more closely on consolidation today.

Consolidation of a Sterilized Substrate

Part One - Caking

Inoculated substrates, now called "cakes" should immediately be placed in a dark tote, otherwise known as an incubation bin. This should allow minimal airflow, if any, aside from that which is circulated in twice to three times a day when the unit is opened and fanned by the individual, as well as only allow minimal amounts of ambient non-direct light if any to enter.

Temperature during incubation should be kept steady at 73-77%, preferably 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 50%+ ambient air outside the incubation tub, with humidity consistent above 70-75% inside.

General Timeframes for Cakes:
Growth - Based around 1 pint jar usage - :

Within 5-7 days, initial colonization of the inoculated substrate will begin to become visible if bacterial contamination is not present

that which would otherwise appear blotchy, ‘cob-webby’, or a differing colour than white, showcased below

(Moderate contamination)

(Major contamination)

and the substrate, colonized, as in white and veiny -sometimes- to be further examined below, when no bacteria is present (showcased below);

Or, in a smaller mason jar (some prefer because of speed),

30-45 days following prove to showcase the general timeframe for full colonization from initial signs to full mycelium growth, and eventually, when consolidation of the inoculated substrated, now colonized, should begin.

Part Two - Consolidation

Consolidation (as a definition):

The period after full colonization of a substrate medium and the stage at which the mycelium begin to showcase signs of growth after the substrate is visibly consumed is known as the consolidation period.

During the final stage of consolidation, after the substrate is now completely thickened, and the mycelium is soon to be prepared for what is called "a roll and rinse" before birth.

The humidity should be maintained for anywhere from 5-10 days, up to a maximum of 14 days dependent on growth speed at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 75-85% humidity, relevant to the sizing of the jar used.

Pinning can be sometimes seen inside the colonizing jar (seen in picture above) before full consolidation and thickening of the substrate, but it is generally ideal to ignore this. Birthing too early can result in a lost cake.

Early pinning can sometimes simply showcase potency and positive methodology during process.

When small bumps of fuzz appear to thicken the jars themselves, then It is at this point that the cakes are ready to be birthed to their appropriate – as per StemGeeks post tomorrow –, shotgun fruiting chamber, where visible growth can now be seen of mushrooms and signsq of all this hard work and effort will truly become visible!

Congratulations on finishing this weeks reading! Please do catch up with with links below if you have the time; you won't be disappointed. Always feel free to send a friendly comment my way; constructive criticiam is good and the feedback I've been getting thus far is great!

Further, if any relation between mental health and psilocybin interests you, you may enjoy: @trezzahn/a-cross-examination-of-the
... a short writing on mental health and psilocybin's effect on the body, and mind.