Harvesting your Monotub - Midwest Grow Kits Bulk Growing Series (pt. 3)

Part 3 of my Bulk Growing Series! Watch this once you have your spawn and your substrate mixed in your bin to find out some of my tips and tricks for cultivation!
Watch Part One HERE: • Inoculating Grain Spaw...
Watch Part Two HERE: • Set Up Your Monotub Fr...
Hope this helps!
Let me know what else you'd like to see me cover in the comments. Mush loveeeee :)

[@YolkWorshiper]

Took me so long to find a close up time lapse of mushrooms growing in a monotub. Thank you for your wonderful service.

[@psillygirl]

so happy to help!

[@bebophippie1781]

I know this is inappropriate but the reverse time-lapse at the end is what happens when I jump into a cold pool. Couldn't resist. Love your vids, thanks.

[@irishoak7269]

I always just twist the mushrooms away instead of cutting them and have much cleaner results, you literally get the entire fruit and leave all the substrate.

[@WeedSmokingGirlfriend]

Yes but if you want to get multiple flushes it's best to cut them.

[@yamahakid450f]

@Samantha Castrejon that isn't true... I've been twisting them off for 20 years now and always have huge 2nd flushes, especially after rehydrating the substrate.. I work with the same prints and/or liquid culture from the most potent and high fruiting PE I've ever seen, so I know exactly what it responds too to maximize the yield.. Even the 3rd is good sized, the 4th is rather lackluster in comparison and at that point id rather use that time to clean the 6 tubs and get them ready for new substrate and grain spawn rather than waiting for a couple more grams of mushrooms. Lately I've just been messing with my horse poop substrates, adding things in like hay and spent coffee grounds to add in nitrogen and phosphorus to see how it responds to the extra nutrients while keeping temperature and humdity the same...it loved both those things, seemed to speed up colonization and helped the later flushes..Even though bulk grows don't need one, I've even added a half inch of coco coir as a as casing layer that i misted under field capacity to help retain moisture throughout the colonization period.. Once it goes into fruiting conditions, I added a fan with a heppa filter to the shotgun tub that's on a timer to purge out all the CO2 4 times per day... that way I don't need to remove the lid to fan out the CO2 and disturb the environment in the process.. Fresh oxygen is vital, mushrooms hate CO2. I also put in a hose through the side that attaches to a fog machine filled with water and hydrogen peroxide at 10 parts water to 1 part peroxide to keep everything steril and prevent any contamination down the road. Peroxide will not hurt mature mycelium..i used to use it in my spray bottles for misting at the same ratio. When conditions drop below 75% humidity, the fan turns on and then shuts off when it reaches 90% humidity. It normally only turns on after the CO2 is purged with the fan. I also don't have too mist that way either, It's completely automated start to finish. Makes it really easy while I'm at work, the only variable is spikes of heat.. which I'd rather fruit in high 60s low 70s, fruiting temps are lower than colonizing temps in general, but the lower the fruiting temperature the longer to fruit, but the fruit bodies it produces is worth it and it helps prevent any contamination, that's why my colonizing temps are slightly lower than most. So anywhere between 68-72 is ideal for fruiting. I'm about to build a mushroom tent to hold about 8 separate tubs with the tents very own fan with filters to pull fresh air in from the bottom and sucking out the top.. You'll need a filter on the exhaust if it's indoors, it will suck out any spores and blow them out into your home if there's no filter and also having its own fog machine below all the tubs since fog naturally rises in nature... it'll be fitted with multiple sensors to detect CO2 levels as well as humidity, so I never need to open the tent until it's time to harvest. The bottom part of the tent will also work well too store grain spawn that's colonizing... just cover them with a steril trash bag even though itll be dark the majority of the time anyway. I only use enough light to tell them it's time to start fruiting and which way the mushrooms should grow since they grow towards the light source but since mushrooms don't go through photosynthesis, they don't need light to actually grow...So a couple hours of light a day is plenty, you can do a normal 24 hour cycle to simulate nature, but it isn't needes. They actually grow the most when it's dark.. I've grown them in total darkness, it worked, but they grow all crazy in all directions making it hard to harvest Twisting can potentially cause some bruising on the substrate, but that's it, even heavy misting or drops of water from the lid can do that, but it's not going to prevent it from pinning fruit bodies.. I really don't know why you think that would be the case, it's not like the whole network of mycelium is damaged or anything... once it's mature, mycelium is actually quite resistant to contamination and damage.

[@funnyzenverse]

Wow. Nice rant. Not sure of everything you said is 100% like the light topic. Iv done dark growing and using light, and the ones on a 12 and 12 light cycle are by far fruiting bigger. Anyway just my take on the situation. 3:50 3:50

[@cylee-mull6494]

Yes I heard it's good to clear all of the mushroom from the substrate so you can get more in the second third and fourth flushes

[@tcon6504]

Yamahakid. This is all new to me, I have an all in one grow tent from Midwest. Just noticed my first pins yesterday. I your information sounds extremely interesting. I would love to see videos of your grow set up. Please let us know if you have any postings on your tent.

[@MycoTooMushed]

Awesome video this was exactly what I was looking for as an explanation to when exactly to pull these, so thank you for the angle and Time-lapse. It makes so much sense to me now

[@lydiamisdom6924]

Excellent and informative video. Thank you for being succinct and providing appropriate corresponding video. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yes, I would love to see a video on drying and storage.

[@psillygirl]

Thanks you so mush for the support!

[@matthewwilson1833]

Its my first time growing and your videos have been extremely to the point and very helpful.

[@blestup]

I just got my midwest grow kit in yesterday and the spores are on the way too. First time, and these videos are helping me . I'm making notes and am more than ready to get this going. Wish me luck!

[@psillygirl]

Great to hear! Best of luck to you buddy! :)

[@adamdudley8736]

Midwest is a good company. Use to order jars from them when I first started and sometimes still get certain supplies from them. They also have a help line that you can call, which can be very helpful for beginners

[@Houseofmycology]

Awesome! I have a all in one bag with some golden teacher liquid culture and I’m so excited!!!😂

[@Wagnum]

Yes a short primer on your approach to drying would be great! My very first fruit is about ready to pick. Maybe tomorrow. I got a little food dryer to help with that part of things.

[@psillygirl]

You got it! 🤗 happy harvesting!!

[@davids11131113]

Don’t use a dehydrator just let them dry on a screen takes maybe 7 days and they will turn out way better.

[@AntonioLiberato08]

Beautiful series - appreciate you!

[@psillygirl]

Thanks so mush!

[@juliettewatt2784]

Thank you so much! Super helpful Please can you do a video on drying and then perhaps how you would prepare for a second grow. You're awesome! So easy to understand.

[@CannibalOX99]

Drying is easy. Just get a food dehydrater, set for 12 hours at 120 degrees or just get a cardboard box, separate the mushrooms and put a fan over the box and let it run. Takes a couple days but also a good way to dehydrate.

[@D1GItAL_CVTS]

What a great timelapse!

[@psillygirl]

Thanks so mush!

[@laurenw3787]

Wow. I dont know why but now i have the coyrage to do this myself. Ive been using all in one bags because i didnt think i could do it. But youve simplified the process. And now that i know contamination isn5 mush an issue after the mecelium stage. Thanks so much.

[@psillygirl]

i hope it all goes well!

[@SillyWabbit120]

These are Great Informative videos!

[@Oh10patriot]

life...just isn't easy sometimes. = instant subscription.

[@merlinmakinson4724]

That was perfect Short and to the point. Thanks for the replay back and forth showing the best timing for pruning the fruits . Yes a video on drying would be great. I don’t have a dehydrator so I’m going to air dry and use a desiccant. Maybe you could talk a little about that .

[@psillygirl]

Thanks so mush for the support! I am going to repost my drying video soon (the first was removed :()

[@merlinmakinson4724]

@@psillygirl awesome I used desiccant under a towel and it did the job took a little while but they are still crunchy dry .

[@jimmyedwards5865]

Love the name!🍄🤯🍄

[@zacharydewitte384]

your outro is amazing!

[@amandaphilip8396]

Love your channel name! So cute!

[@psillygirl]

Thanks so MUSH! :)

[@pelvabill]

Great job on your videos. A drying tutorial would be wonderful. Thanks for taking the time. It's appreciated.

[@psillygirl]

Thanks so mush! Already posted one, check it out on my channel page! :)

[@ZepHoffman]

beautiful visuals

[@tmdpc]

Yes, more content please.

[@psillygirl]

Coming right up!

[@bounmaisabelle2280]

That helps me so much

[@jeffdodson]

love your videos, PsillyGirl. AND your handle! just awesome. I see YOU are now the heir-apparent to midwest grow kits video section. this is my THIRD attempt at growing psilly psychedelic 'shrooms: so far I've succeeded in growing a nice little clump of moist gloppy whitish mold, plus a bunch of green and blue contamination of some sort. none of them were psychedelic, and they were hard to keep lit, especially the wet mold.

[@psillygirl]

Thanks for the support! Hopefully these help to give you a successful run. Most of the time, green mold in a monotub is due to a lack of air exchange, so be sure to have some holes drilled in the side of your fruiting chamber or manually fan out the tub a couple of times a day!

[@levihuttner3260]

Very good video thank you

[@psillygirl]

Thanks for watching!

[@bando8086]

Ngl that intro was clean as hell

[@christopherbarnard9672]

Great job

[@scottyrainier8085]

Please do another video on drying. That would be really helpful. Thank you.

[@psillygirl]

Will do!

[@drainedeyes4268]

Your intro is so cool 😎

[@psillygirl]

Ty! :)

[@righthand2571]

Hey I have a question my grain bag is not colonizing and it’s been 14 days no growth

[@SillyWabbit120]

Can you show us how you go about preparing that for a second and third flush? Thank you.

[@AndreSegovia-fq6uy]

I noticed you have air exchange immediately from spawn to bulk. Do you find this method more optimal rather than plugging the holes with no air exchange and once your tub is fully colonized introduce fruiting conditions with FAE?

[@1dog1girl]

PsillyGirl after day 5 do you take them out of the dark and use a light source for 12 hours on??

[@wolfsterdescalo7051]

Will a base of MIRICLE GROW work as a base to lay the contents of a bag?

[@debbiegambill2867]

I have a question...If you leave shrooms in the tub and spores drop will the spores take root and grow?

[@dudeguypants]

Can you do a video on 2nd and 3rd flushes? These are the best, thank you.

[@psillygirl]

Thank you, so glad you enjoy it! Hoping to get some content on that soon :)

[@BeatDownInBTown]

How many flushes can one expect using the monotub method? I've been using jar method from Midwest, but am considering monotub. Thanks! Excellent vids btw - no fluff, just details.

[@psillygirl]

Thanks so mush! Sorry for the late reply. You should get 3 flushes from a tub. Rehydrating or dunking is always a good step to encourage future flushes!

[@ANJH1106]

Yea do you air or freeze dry that would be a good thing everyone has their preferences

[@psillygirl]

I've pretty much exclusively done air drying, but I've been trying out a couple other methods to experiment.. hope to have some content on that up soon :)

[@BrianDoyle262]

I use a fan blowing across a big plate

[@tomrous]

How do you do grain with substrate? Just mix or cover with thin layer? Thanks for answers and your videos!

[@psillygirl]

I have been doing the layering technique as of recently. I have found it makes the colonization time a lot quicker, but both methods work well! I show both techniques in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYCrY4xtltapqck

[@SalA-rt8re]

Thank you so much for the this video. I hope my harvest comes in soon. One question when you say you don't use a heat source, does that mean you have the 2nd tube in the bottom with water, right? But you do use lighting?? I'm just very curious bcuz I'm in central cali & right now we're having decent weather, I'm very new to growing anything & have very little knowledge about how plants & fungi function. Plus new things are being discovered every day.

[@SillyWabbit120]

What do you mean about Water on the bottom? I don’t think that’s a thing. But I can be wrong?

[@psillygirl]

I just use a climate controlled room. Whatever works, tub-in-tub or a dub tub is good like you mentioned. Anything that keeps the temperature around 72-74 degrees for fruiting. :)

[@rom553]

How often do you spray the sides of the bin with water?

[@noelmorris5137]

Hey my kit came with vermiculite when do I use it? Did you use that stuff??

[@stevefaulkner6689]

Did you say no heat source ? I've tried every way and very little fruit ,Help

[@buckshotcharlie1829]

I enjoy your videos very much. And, I am a bit confused by the two different fruiting chambers comparing those in part 2 with part 3. The chamber top in part 2 is opaque at 4:24, and clear in part 3 at 2:17. Which is preferred; opaque or clear? Also, there are 4 air holes in part 2 at 4:16, and 6 air holes in part 3 at 2:18. Which is preferred; 4 or 6? Are both chambers 32 quarts? Thanks very much.

[@SillyWabbit120]

I wish she Answered this.

[@psillygirl]

Sorry for the delayed reply! I prefer the clear lid. As long as light can get through though, you should be all good. The lid in part 2 has a small hole drilled for an LED light. I prefer just using overhead lighting. Don't like messing around with the light every time I open the lid

[@wallyhines8696]

Just tried your monotub method and - OMG! - as advertised. Crazy amazing. Thank you. Quick question. I have done the jar method in the past. With that method, after fruiting and harvest, you re-wet the jars, and then fruit and harvest 2-3 more times. I have waited a few days to see if more appeared after the initial harvest, but not much has happened. Since the tub and soil are still damp, I assume that the monotub method is a "one harvest and done" method. Is that right?

[@wallyhines8696]

Actually, I dunked it for 12 hours, and it refruited. Amazing!!

[@psillygirl]

Fantastic, that's great to hear!

[@mycoband]

how much did you get from that? doesnt look like a whole lot

[@leonarle]

How do you clean your monotub to prepare it for the next batch? Just soap and water or do we need an acid bath to kill the organics?

[@psillygirl]

I rinse the tub with water and dish soap, then wipe down with a water/bleach solution. :)

[@bobbuzzas2133]

It'd be great to see a fruiting bin video that includes setting up a led light and air pump/humidifier. The take-away from Part 3 is that a light and humidifier were not used or needed--is that correct?

[@psillygirl]

This bin has the larger holes and filter patches, so no the humidification system isn't needed! If you're using the kit that includes the pump, you'd just run that 3-4 times a day for an hour at a time.

[@mohawksniper79]

Noice 👍🏼🤠🍄

[@rrsarge]

Interested in drying!

[@psillygirl]

Check out my channel page!

[@webetruckin115]

I just ordered an all in one bag and spore syringe. I know I’ve been told I can fruit in the bag. In your opinion am I more likely to be successful if I move it into a bin when I’m ready to fruit?

[@psillygirl]

Keeping it in the bag would be best!

[@fk8chick893]

I just bought the 109$ deluxe spawn bag and casing kit. Comes with their auto air filtration system. Have you had any experience with this kit or any of the similar once’s they sell with the filtration system ?

[@SillyWabbit120]

Hey what’s the filtration system about?

[@psillygirl]

yes! I used their ultimate kit for my fist ever grow, which is the same set-up with brf jars instead of spawn and substrate/monotub style

[@bonesnaffler1565]

Do you have any videos to that kit? I am currently using it and they link this video for the kit on their Midwest website but thats not whats in this video. In the instructions it says to add light after seeing mycelium start coming through the pseudo casing layer because that means its 100% colonized underneath it. Says in 7-10 days but mine showed mycelium coming up all over after 4 days. Going to add light but now im worried its too soon but im not sure. Am i overthinking and it is fine to add light now?

[@antitorpiliko]

How do you dunk?

[@brianclark7913]

No heat source, but what's your ambient temp in the area? I also live in a dry climate but especially in winter my house is 62-66 degrees at it's highest. I'm thinking that's a smidge too cold?

[@psillygirl]

I aim for about 72-74 degrees for fruiting! Incubation would be 74-78

[@billwalz787]

I also bought a kit from Midwest. Did you use the light and humidifier after your pins started to appear?

[@psillygirl]

That's when I would do it!

[@billwalz787]

@@psillygirl sorry to bother you but can I ask how long do you set your light timer for ? I have the led that was included in my grow kit. Thanks! your videos have been a life saver

[@jonb5331]

After you cut all the mushrooms off will it start to grow another flush or did you do anything special?

[@psillygirl]

Usually my substrate is hydrated enough to support a second flush, so I don't really do much! If it seems a little dry, I'll mist the sides of the container- usually once a day. After the second flush it gets a little iffy.. Lots of people recommend dunking the substrate to keep it hydrated for future flushes, but I haven't had much success with it. You'd just pour water over the top, submerge the substrate for about 8-12 hours, then drain it out and put it back in fruiting conditions. Maybe I'll do another video trying out a few methods just to see how it goes!

[@COw33dw1tch]

​@@psillygirl I'd love to see that video!

[@willblackburn3371]

I noticed in neither video you talked about a light source. Do you use an LED light or did those just fruit on their own with natural room light?

[@psillygirl]

I used artificial light for this one! Just had the light over the top of the bin rather than drilling a hole for the LED

[@charliesimmons2760]

@@psillygirl did you leave the light on 24/7 ?

[@Alvarez90]

I’m growing ape strain and hasn’t pinned yet. I started grain to spawn 5/23/22 and today is now 6/3/22. Myc has a ton of tiny water beads and fanning for about 2 1/2 min twice a day. Any idea when I will start seeing pins?

[@psillygirl]

Just generally speaking, some varieties that are struggling to pin might benefit from an added casing layer. It might help to add a casing layer to the top, put it back into colonization, then start fruiting once you see pins. :)

[@skateturd916]

Will they keep growing after you harvest the first batch? I just got all my stuff from Midwest and I'm about to get it going in the next week

[@psillygirl]

They should! Just heavily mist the surface :) Hope it all worked well for you

[@skateturd916]

@@psillygirl it did work good. Not so good for my second attempt though, it was the beginning of summer in northern California so I kind of feel like the heat affected it. The mold just turned green and blue

[@jeffsmith8065]

How do you prepare for your second flush?

[@psillygirl]

I usually just heavily mist the surface! There are dunking techniques you can try as well. I have also seen people inject syringes of water directly into the substrate

[@turboesther36]

Have you ever experimented with any outdoor growing? I want to be able to just inoculate and harvest like in nature, i think that's the best way, especially for the fungi

[@badmandansanchez1823]

It would likely be very dependant on your location. Not to mention introducing non native species to an environment. They might over compete with some native mycology and upset the natural balance. Just a thought.

[@SillyWabbit120]

Yea that’s pretty frowned upon if they’re Not fungi from your Area..seems silly but it messes with the ecosystem.

[@psillygirl]

Sorry for the late reply! I do not have any experience with outdoor growing unfortunately

[@MrBoxer1200]

Could you explain the lighting. This appears to be on all the time , I am confused and cant get a fruit.

[@psillygirl]

you want to add light 12 hours on/12 hours off once you have pins forming!

[@elizabethbrown8538]

Do you wash them between harvesting and drying?

[@psillygirl]

I sometimes use a toothbrush to scrape off any extra vermiculite once they're dry. I do not try to clean them when they're wet as they bruise too easily!

[@AndreSegovia-fq6uy]

Are you misting with RO water?

[@psillygirl]

Just filtered water!

[@mycoband]

how often do you mist the sides of the monotub?

[@psillygirl]

At least once a day!

[@dehkordi]

Hello . What is the best soil composition for mushrooms?

[@psillygirl]

I usually use CVG (coco coir, vermiculite, gypsum), but horse or cow manure work well, particularly for dung-loving varieties

[@trull122]

I am interested. Currently in a heated debate over harvest time, some people are saying I ruin my fruits quality by allowing the caps to fully open. I disagree, I get a lot more grams if I let those caps go until they are fully spread, maybe an extra 12 hours is doubling or tripling my harvest weight. I still getting them out of there before spore drop. And my personal Pepsi challenge taste test finds them just as good as early harvested fruits. Your thoughts? 🤔

[@psillygirl]

Honestly, if you look at the timelapse, you can see the mushrooms get a lot larger once their caps start to flatten out! Some people do say that allowing the spores to drop could inhibit your next flush, but I've had a few canopied bins go through multiple flushes with no problem. I always think it's best to stick to what works best for YOU- if you like them that way, then I'd stick with it. :)

[@trull122]

@@psillygirl 🍫🍄 making chocolates right now in a mold shaped like little mushrooms :)

[@trull122]

@@kevinwarawa2682 that's a bizarre comment, sure you're on the right post?

[@psillygirl]

@@kevinwarawa2682 I also know a thing or two! Your information is very outdated and misleading. You are more than welcome to make your own instructional videos the way you do it!

[@trull122]

@@psillygirl I said in the original post: " I still getting them out of there before spore drop." please read the whole thing next time. Why are you trolling me on some else post how many video's have you made?

[@lindseynormand9613]

What size tub is that? And what ratio of spawn to substrate?

[@psillygirl]

30 quart tub. I think this one was 1 2.5lb. spawn bag to 1 5lb. bag of substrate, so a 1:2 ratio. Sorry for my late reply!

[@justinmarko80]

I would think, that allowing the spores to drop would just allow a continuous natural grow. IDK, it's just what I would guess.

[@bonesnaffler1565]

No instead the spores dropping down tells the rest underneath that its done and they are more likely to not grow any more flushes after that happens.

[@kevinmackinnon5824]

What level of humidity should this be at during this process?

[@psillygirl]

90-95% ideally! The substrate itself should provide plenty of humidity; if the levels are lower than that, you'll know you need to mist more often. :)

[@kevinmackinnon5824]

@@psillygirl Awesome, thanks!

[@badmandansanchez1823]

I still dont understand the liner craze. For me it seems like a great place for contamination to take hold. I think its to prevent side pins but the side fruit can be like 20% of the flush if you let it. Minus a liner the sides create a really sweet micro climate which is perfect for fungus. Not to mention some times you get mutants out of the sides. I dont see any benifit.

[@davidblack5551]

Thanks. Sweetheart 😘

[@jaredwilson4580]

Do you have to keep them in the dark until you want them to fruit?

[@psillygirl]

From my experience, it definitely isn't crucial. I usually keep my bins/trays in a room that gets a lot of natural light, so they are exposed to a light cycle as soon as they are mixed... always works well for me!

[@psilt]

dung lovers make me cry

[@josh3458]

This is me in about 2 weeks

[@psillygirl]

Happy harvesting! 🍄

[@HarbingerTheHorseMan]

so...not many people read instructions is what this tells me...

[@haiku859]

I really wished I understood why so many people think harvesting before the spores drop is how it should be done???? harvest, a partially mature, shroom, and harvested identical size mushroom, except that the cap fully extend… which one has significantly more weight? Why are people wanting to shoot themselves in the foot so baddy and undercut their weight blows me away this is really 101. Geeezzzzze ppl problems with the spore drop are simply wives tales. Push yourself beyond that don’t let people tell you when to stop short.

[@tyrone5797]

I read that spores falling on the mycelium can prevent a second flush. No idea whether there is any truth to that however.

[@michaeljoefox]

@@tyrone5797”supposedly” it tells the mycelium that their life cycle is complete, though that’s just what I’ve read and heard from forums and videos. I’ve never tested it myself, perhaps I should.

[@lomeinbullies5768]

Yeah you gonna suffocatel your cake if you keep letting them caps open

[@scottyknowspaincomesngoes3165]

Message me if you're looking for tips I won't give you unwanted information if you prefer to learn as you go, but I know information is limited and people are stuck up when it comes to sharing success. Good luck on your grows may the yields be with you. ☺️

[@microppose8004]

Hey, those my filters ;)? Message me on IG I have a question for yas.

[@psillygirl]

Email Midwest Grow Kits customer support! They'll take care of ya :)