John Miller
Mushroom growing is a delicate process that requires careful attention to detail. Mushroom grow bags are an essential part of the cultivation process, providing a sterile environment for grain spawn or bulk substrates with high levels of supplementation. These bags are designed to allow fresh air exchange while protecting the contents from contamination. Properly folding and sealing the bags is crucial to ensure successful mushroom growth. This involves specific folding techniques, such as Fold Type A and Fold Type B, which depend on the sterilization method and water level during sterilization. The bags are folded in a way that prevents contamination, utilizes filter patches, and ensures the growth of large mushroom groupings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of folds | Type A, Type B |
| Use of Type A fold | Used for bags that sit either submerged in water or above water level during sterilisation |
| How to fold Type A | Flatten the opening of the bag down along the gusseted edges. Apply pressure and dispel excess air from within the bag. The mouth of the bag should align perfectly. Take the flattened mouth and continue to wrap around the bag. Sit the block with the filter patch facing upwards. Take the flattened mouth of the bag and fold back over the filter patch. Use 2 pieces of masking tape to adhere each side of this newly created concertina fold to the block. The tail of the bag is folded back over the filter patch. |
| Use of Type B fold | Used on bags that sit above the water level during sterilisation |
| How to fold Type B | The tail of the bag is wrapped around and taped down |
| Other folding methods | Fold the bag accordion style and make sure the seams of the filter patch aren't on the edge of any of the folds. Use clothespins or binder clips on either side to hold it in place. |
| Purpose of folding | Folding mushroom bags helps in loading them into pressure canners, cookers, or autoclaves for sterilisation |
| Bag characteristics | Gusseted, autoclavable, made of polypropylene plastic, and have a filter patch |
| Bag material | High-temperature-resistant polypropylene plastic |
| Bag features | Long-lasting, flexible, transparent, and inexpensive |
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What You'll Learn
- Fold Type A: Flatten the bag opening, expel air, and wrap the mouth around the bag
- Fold Type B: Wrap and tape the tail of the bag
- Folding for sterilisation: Fold the bag over a few times, no need to seal
- Accordion-style folding: Use clothes pins to hold the folds in place
- Avoiding contamination: Fold to allow the filter patch to act as a vent
Fold Type A: Flatten the bag opening, expel air, and wrap the mouth around the bag
Fold Type A is used for mushroom bags that will be partly submerged in water during the sterilisation process. It can also be used on bags that sit above the water level. To fold your mushroom bag using Fold Type A, follow these steps:
- Flatten the bag opening: Start by flattening the opening of the bag along its gusseted edges. Gussets are the folds in the sides of the bag that allow it to fold flat when not in use.
- Expel air: Apply pressure to the bag to dispel excess air from within. Make sure the mouth of the bag aligns perfectly after expelling the air.
- Wrap the mouth around the bag: Take the flattened mouth and continue to wrap it around the bag. This helps create a tight seal and ensures that the contents remain free from contamination.
- Position the block: Sit the block with the filter patch facing upwards. The filter patch is a small section of the bag that permits air exchange through a fine mesh, preventing the entry of unwanted germs and spores.
- Fold the bag mouth over the filter patch: Take the flattened mouth of the bag and fold it back over the filter patch. This step ensures that the filter patch remains protected and functional.
- Secure with tape: Use masking tape or similar adhesive tape to secure the fold in place. Apply tape to both sides of the concertina fold, adhering it to the block. This will hold the fold in place and complete Fold Type A.
By following these steps for Fold Type A, you can effectively prepare your mushroom bag for the sterilisation process, whether it will be submerged in water or positioned above the water level.
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Fold Type B: Wrap and tape the tail of the bag
Fold Type B is a technique used to fold mushroom grow bags. This method can be used on bags that are either submerged in water or above the water level during sterilisation. It is a straightforward process that can be followed by both beginners and seasoned growers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to execute Fold Type B:
Firstly, flatten the opening of the bag along the gusseted edges. Apply some pressure to dispel any excess air from within. Ensure that the mouth of the bag aligns perfectly. Then, take the flattened mouth and wrap it around the bag. Position the block with the filter patch facing upwards. Now, take the flattened mouth of the bag and fold it back over the filter patch.
Use two pieces of masking tape to secure each side of the concertina fold to the block. This fold type ensures that the tail of the bag is securely wrapped around and taped down. It is important to note that mushroom growing is a delicate process that demands careful attention, especially during sterilisation.
By mastering Fold Type B, you will be able to optimise the use of your mushroom grow bags. This technique contributes to a successful mushroom cultivation journey, allowing you to enjoy multiple cycles of mushroom growth right from your grow bag.
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Folding for sterilisation: Fold the bag over a few times, no need to seal
When preparing mushroom grow bags for sterilisation, it is important to ensure that the bag is folded correctly to prevent contamination. Mushroom grow bags are used to sterilise media in the production of grain spawn or bulk substrates. They are designed to allow for fresh air exchange during colonisation while keeping the contents free from contamination.
To fold the bag for sterilisation, start by flattening the opening of the bag along the gusseted edges. Apply pressure to dispel excess air from within the bag, ensuring that the mouth of the bag aligns perfectly. Then, take the flattened mouth and wrap it around the bag. Position the block with the filter patch facing upwards.
At this point, you can choose to use a filter. If you decide to use a filter, slip a small cloth filter, such as Tyvek, between the gussets above the substrate. Make sure the inside walls of the bag are clean before inserting the filter. This filter will help prevent contamination by filtering the air that enters the bag during the post-sterilisation cool-down.
After inserting the filter, simply fold the bag over a couple of times. There is no need to seal the bag before sterilisation. Folding the bag in this way will help prevent contamination during the sterilisation process. Once folded, load the bag into your steriliser, such as a pressure canner or autoclave, for sterilisation.
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Accordion-style folding: Use clothes pins to hold the folds in place
When folding mushroom grow bags, one method is to use an accordion-style fold. This method can be used with bags that are to be sterilised while sitting either partially submerged in water or above the water level.
To start, flatten the opening of the bag down along the gusseted edges. Apply some pressure to the bag to remove excess air from within. The mouth of the bag should now be perfectly aligned. Take the flattened mouth and wrap it around the bag.
Now, take the flattened mouth of the bag and fold it back over the filter patch. At this point, you can use clothes pins to hold the folds in place. Place them on either side of the folds, but make sure not to seal them, or the bag may explode.
Finally, use two pieces of masking tape to adhere each side of the newly created concertina fold to the block. This is known as Fold Type A. For bags that sit above the water level during sterilisation, you can use Fold Type B, which involves wrapping and taping the tail of the bag.
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Avoiding contamination: Fold to allow the filter patch to act as a vent
To avoid contamination, it is essential to ensure proper sterilisation and sealing of the mushroom grow bag. Here are some detailed steps to follow:
Folding Technique:
When folding the mushroom bag, it is important to ensure that the filter patch remains exposed to act as a vent. This is crucial for allowing necessary gas exchange while keeping contaminants out. Follow these steps:
- Flatten the opening of the bag along the gusseted edges, removing any excess air from within.
- Position the block with the filter patch facing upwards.
- Fold the flattened mouth of the bag back over the filter patch.
- Secure the fold with tape or clips: Use tape or clips to hold the fold in place, being careful not to seal it completely shut.
Sterilisation and Sealing:
Proper sterilisation is crucial for preventing contamination. Choose the appropriate sterilisation method, such as an autoclave or pressure cooker, and follow the correct temperature, pressure, and time settings. After sterilisation, allow the bags to cool gradually to prevent condensation from forming inside, which can lead to contamination.
Seal the bag securely to protect the spawn from contamination. You can use an impulse sealer to ensure an airtight seal. Alternatively, fold the top of the bag over a few times and secure it with lightweight clips. Ensure the bag stands upright for proper gas exchange through the filter patch.
By following these steps, you can help prevent contamination and promote a healthy mushroom-growing environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom grow bags are bags designed to grow mushrooms in. They are usually made from high-temperature-resistant polypropylene plastic, which is long-lasting, flexible, and transparent. They come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.
Folding mushroom grow bags helps with the sterilisation process. When folded correctly, the bags self-seal, reducing the likelihood of contamination.
There are two types of folds for mushroom grow bags: Type A and Type B. For Type A, flatten the opening of the bag along the gusseted edges, dispel excess air, and wrap the flattened mouth around the bag. Then, fold the mouth of the bag back over the filter patch and tape it in place. For Type B, wrap the tail of the bag around and tape it down.
Type A folds are used for bags that sit either partially or fully submerged in water during sterilisation, while Type B folds are used for bags that sit above the water level.
Yes, here are a few tips:
- Fold the bag accordion-style and ensure that the seams of the filter patch are not on the edge of any folds.
- Use clothes pins or binder clips to hold the folds in place, but do not seal the bag or it may explode.
- Cut a small hole on the side of the bag instead of the top to prevent the substrate from drying out.
