Sarah Brown
Misting and fanning are crucial steps in mushroom cultivation, particularly for psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The process involves spraying a fine mist of water onto the cakes and then fanning them to promote evaporation and increase humidity. This technique is known as a pinning trigger and helps initiate mushroom growth. While misting, it is important not to saturate the cakes, and the frequency of misting and fanning can vary depending on ambient humidity levels. Some growers recommend misting multiple times a day, while others suggest misting only when the cakes appear dry. Fanning is not always necessary, especially if the growing environment has adequate air exchange and humidity levels. However, when fanning, it is crucial to ensure there is no standing water to prevent contamination.
Do you have to mist and fan mushroom cakes?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Misting frequency | Every few hours while you're awake, 3-4 times a day, or every 3-4 days |
| Misting technique | Directly mist the cakes, not a strong spray, but a mist |
| Misting duration | Mist until the cakes glisten with moisture, then stop until they appear dry |
| Fanning frequency | 5-6 times a day, after misting |
| Fanning technique | Couple of passes with the lid, no standing water |
| Other techniques | Dunk and roll, use of giant grain blocks |
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What You'll Learn
Misting and fanning frequency
Misting and fanning mushroom cakes are essential to promote optimal growth. The frequency of misting and fanning depends on various factors, including the ambient humidity, the growth stage, and the specific requirements of the mushroom species. Here is a detailed guide to help you determine the appropriate misting and fanning frequency:
Misting Frequency:
- The general rule is to mist the cakes directly without saturating them. Allow the mist to settle gently on the cakes, creating a glistening effect on the surface.
- Misting should be done 2-3 times per day, or even up to a dozen times a day if the ambient humidity is low and evaporation is high.
- After the first flush, you will need to dunk the cakes to replenish water content and initiate subsequent flushes.
- Some growers recommend misting heavily 3-4 times a day, especially if the cakes dry out quickly.
- One technique is to mist until the walls of the chamber are soaked, and then allow it to dry out completely before misting again.
- You can also pour water directly onto the vermiculite or perlite to maintain moisture levels.
- Always ensure there is no standing water as it can lead to contamination.
Fanning Frequency:
- Fanning is typically done after misting to promote evaporation, which is a significant pinning trigger.
- Fanning can be done 5-6 times a day, fanning for 15-30 seconds each time.
- If you work long hours, your cakes can go 10-14 hours without misting or fanning. Just be sure to mist and fan before and after work.
- Some growers suggest that excessive fanning can be counterproductive, as mushrooms prefer a stable environment. Therefore, it is recommended to fan only when necessary to maintain optimal humidity levels.
- If using a fan, you may need to mist more frequently to compensate for the drying effect of the fan.
It is important to remember that every grower's experience may vary, and you should adjust your misting and fanning frequency based on the specific needs of your mushroom cakes and the environmental conditions.
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Misting technique
Misting is an important part of mushroom cultivation, as mushrooms are mostly water and require adequate humidity to grow. The misting technique involves spraying a fine mist of water onto the mushroom cakes to maintain moisture levels and trigger pinning. Here is a detailed guide to the misting technique:
Frequency of Misting:
The frequency of misting depends on various factors, including the ambient humidity and the drying rate of the cakes. Some growers recommend misting every few hours while you're awake or at least once in the morning, once in the evening, and several times before sleep. Others suggest misting 3-4 times a day or even a dozen times a day, depending on the drying rate of the cakes. It's important to monitor the moisture level and adjust the misting frequency accordingly.
Amount of Misting:
When misting, it is crucial to avoid saturating the cakes. A light mist is generally recommended, just enough to make the cakes glisten with moisture. Over-misting can lead to waterlogged cakes, which can contaminate the growth environment. Some growers suggest that the walls of the container should not be wet, indicating that the cakes have sufficient moisture.
Technique for Misting:
When misting, it is recommended to mist the cakes directly. Hold the spray bottle about a foot away from the cakes and give them a few light sprays. You can also pour water directly onto the vermiculite layer if needed. After misting, it is important to ensure there is no standing water, as this can lead to contamination.
Fanning After Misting:
Fanning is often done in conjunction with misting to promote evaporation and maintain humidity. However, the frequency and intensity of fanning are subject to debate. Some growers recommend fanning 5-6 times a day, while others suggest fanning only after misting, making a couple of passes with the lid to promote evaporation without drying out the cakes. It's important to ensure proper air circulation and exchange to maintain optimal humidity levels.
Pinning and Contamination:
Misting and drying the cakes can trigger pinning, which is the initial stage of mushroom growth. However, over-misting can lead to waterlogged cakes, which can become contaminated. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor moisture levels and avoid standing water. Additionally, the drying and wetting of cakes can also create an ideal environment for pinning, so some growers allow the cakes to dry slightly between mistings.
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Fanning technique
Fanning is an important part of mushroom cultivation, especially when paired with misting. The purpose of fanning is to increase air circulation and evaporate moisture from the cakes, creating the ideal humidity for mushroom growth. Here is a detailed guide on the fanning technique for mushroom cakes:
Frequency of Fanning:
The frequency of fanning depends on various factors, including the ambient humidity and the growth stage of the mushrooms. Here are some guidelines:
- During the first week, it is recommended to avoid excessive fanning and misting as it may delay pin formation.
- Once the mushrooms have started to grow, a common practice is to fan 5-6 times a day. However, this may vary depending on your specific setup and the ambient humidity.
- If you work during the day, you can fan and mist in the morning and evening, and then several times before bedtime.
Technique for Fanning:
- After misting the cakes, gently wave a fan or similar object a few times above the cakes to create airflow. Be careful not to blow too hard, as you don't want to damage the cakes or spread contaminants.
- Some growers recommend fanning the cakes by gently waving the lid of the container a couple of times, especially if it has holes poked in it to facilitate air exchange.
- Ensure that the air enters from the bottom below the perlite and then absorbs moisture as it travels up, rather than forcing air through the sides, which can dry out the cakes.
- Avoid standing water as it can lead to contamination.
Fanning and Misting Ratio:
The ratio of misting to fanning depends on various factors, including the humidity, growth stage, and your specific setup. Here are some general guidelines:
- One common practice is to mist 2-4 times and fan 5-6 times a day. However, this may vary depending on the ambient humidity and the rate of evaporation.
- Some growers mist a dozen times a day and then fan, especially if the ambient humidity is low and evaporation occurs quickly.
- It is recommended to mist directly onto the cakes and then fan immediately afterward to prevent waterlogging and promote evaporation.
Remember, every grower may have slightly different techniques, and it's important to find what works best for your setup. Always monitor the moisture level of your cakes and adjust your fanning and misting routine accordingly.
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The importance of evaporation
Evaporation is a critical aspect of mushroom cultivation, and it plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of mushrooms. Here are several reasons why evaporation is essential in the context of misting and fanning mushroom cakes:
Evaporation Creates Humidity:
Misting the cakes with water introduces moisture, which subsequently evaporates, increasing the humidity in the immediate environment. Humidity is a crucial factor in mushroom growth. Mushrooms are primarily composed of water, and maintaining a humid environment helps them thrive. The water lost through evaporation from the cakes contributes to the overall moisture content in the air, creating favourable conditions for mushroom development.
Evaporation Triggers Pinning:
Pinning is the initial stage of mushroom formation, where small protrusions or "pins" appear on the surface of the cake. Evaporation is a well-known trigger for pinning. By misting the cakes and allowing the moisture to evaporate, growers can stimulate the pinning process and encourage mushroom growth. This technique is often referred to as a "pinning trigger" or "triggering mechanism."
Evaporation Replenishes Moisture:
Mushroom cakes can lose moisture over time due to evaporation. Misting the cakes helps replenish this lost moisture, ensuring that the mycelium within the cake remains adequately hydrated. This balance of moisture is crucial for the mushrooms' growth and prevents the cakes from drying out completely.
Evaporation Regulates Temperature:
Evaporation is a cooling process, and the act of evaporation from the misted cakes can help regulate the temperature within the growing environment. This temperature regulation is essential for maintaining optimal conditions for mushroom growth. By controlling the rate of evaporation through misting and fanning, growers can influence the temperature and create a comfortable climate for the mushrooms to flourish.
Evaporation and Air Exchange:
Adequate air exchange is vital for mushroom growth. Fanning plays a crucial role in facilitating this exchange by circulating air and removing stagnant conditions. However, excessive fanning can lead to overly dry conditions, counteracting the benefits of evaporation. Therefore, a balance between misting and fanning is necessary to maintain the right level of humidity and air circulation for mushrooms to thrive.
In conclusion, evaporation is of paramount importance in mushroom cultivation. It influences pinning, humidity levels, temperature regulation, and moisture content within the growing environment. By understanding and effectively managing evaporation through misting and fanning techniques, mushroom growers can create optimal conditions that promote the healthy development and productivity of their mushroom crops.
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Avoiding contamination
Contamination is a common issue in mushroom cultivation, and it can come from various sources, including bacteria, mould, and animal pests. To avoid contamination when misting and fanning mushroom cakes, here are some detailed instructions to follow:
Sterilization and Hygiene:
- Sterilize the substrate before starting the culture to eliminate unwanted microorganisms that may compete with the fungi. This can be done through techniques like pasteurization, pressure cookers, or autoclaves.
- Ensure proper hygiene practices, including sterilizing or disinfecting work tools, inoculum, and spore syringes.
- Soak grains for 12 to 24 hours before hydrating or sterilizing them to activate and kill off any heat-resistant bacterial endospores.
Controlling Environment:
- Keep mushroom cakes away from air currents or environments loaded with spores. Use a laminar flow hood or a still air box to reduce airborne contamination.
- Maintain a clean and controlled growing environment, regularly fanning the grow chamber or monotub to improve fresh air exchange (FAE) and reduce humidity, which can help prevent mould growth.
- Keep contaminated cakes away from healthy ones to prevent the spread of contamination.
Identification and Action:
- Regularly inspect for signs of contamination, such as discoloration (yellow or brown spots), greenish spots, or abnormal textures on the surface of the cake.
- Identify and address common contaminants like Trichoderma, Penicillium, and Rhizopus. Act quickly to contain and remove contaminated areas, using methods like cutting away the contaminated sections and applying bleach or isopropyl alcohol.
- If you encounter trichoderma, spreading salt on the affected area is an option, but it is generally recommended to discard the contaminated cake and sanitize all affected equipment and areas.
Remember, contamination can occur even with proper precautions, so consistent vigilance and good practices are key to minimizing risks and maintaining the health of your mushroom cakes.
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Frequently asked questions
Misting every few hours while you're awake is good if you can manage it. Mist the cakes directly until they glisten with moisture. When it's not glistening anymore, but still appears damp, you can mist again. You can fan right after misting, if at all, and only a couple of passes with the lid is all it takes.
If the walls of your setup aren't wet, chances are you need to mist. You can also put your finger on the cake and see if you can detect any moisture. If not, it's time to mist.
Make sure there is no standing water as this can cause contamination. You can also poke holes in the lid of your setup to increase airflow and reduce the need for manual fanning.
If you have a fan running in a closet with the terrarium, you might not need to manually fan your cakes. However, if the fan is drying out the air, you'll need to mist more often.
