HOW TO MAKE LIQUID CULTURE FOR MUSHROOM GROWING, Vented Lid Jars from Start to Finish

[@archieh4058]

Finally; someone honest about culture times. 2 weeks to a couple of months. I think its interesting how everyone else miraculously can get full mycelium growth in 2 weeks.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Peptone does make a big difference in colonization time, but it can vary quite a bit. Thanks for watchin 👍

[@SuperiorDave]

I just mixed up a batch of lc jars, agar and grains, each with a bit of stinky peptone for growth boosting nitrogen levels. Careful not to over do it though. I would imagine using too mush can burn things up, I would think, right?

[@Chloekat1234]

I went to full colonization in 2 weeks🤷🏼‍♀️ but we also used peptone.

[@drwinston333]

Is that the version of the Presto designed for electric/ convection hobs? Positively surprised you're using an electric hot plate.

[@spldrong]

My colonization time varies greatly between mushroom types... im pretty new, so this is very hard for me to understand!!

[@casanova1925]

I use powdered malted barley as a substitute for the soy peptone. It’s available in bulk at home brew stores and can be easily ground into a powder. It’s been used for many centuries for feeding and stimulating the yeasts in bread making and works equally as well for mushroom production.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Good stuff 👍

[@beentheredonethatoriginals5673]

I started using pp5 plastic canning lids, great for pressure canner, and I still use red RTV and micropore tape. Plus you can get silicone seals that are replaceable so they don't rust and will last forever. When heating needle you can sometimes burn some bits still in there and then you push them into your jar and they try to fool you looking like contamination. So you can slightly pull back on your syringe right before you flame it. Toss a glass marble in the jar before you sterilize, makes a cheap stirrer that breaks the mycelium up nicely and lasts forever. I love watching these videos. Getting ready to kick it into a higher gear, it's always great to hear from guys that really know what they're doing, your low contamination rate says it all.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I use stainless steel ball bearings, but I've heard glass marbles work well too. Thanks for watching and putting in your 2 cents.

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

I use PTFE magnetic stir bars. They sure have made life easier for me

[@justindurkee1472]

Great and educational video. Being a gear head, when I head the letters “RTV” I busted out laughing. Not only can it help send my 8.7 second hot rod down the strip, I can also use it to grow mushrooms! Best of both worlds.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Glad you enjoyed the vid 👊 Yeah high temp RTV has a lot of uses in this hobby so it's good to keep some around.

[@tonywebster8884]

Thank you!!! I have been growing for 3 months and I have decided to go full in with growing g. Your video has been so helpful to get started making liquid culture. Well Done.

[@marcusdeangelis4143]

Great walk-through, packed with handy tips and small details. Thanks so much!

[@dan7163]

Great vid. I just loosen the lids cover loosely with foil pressure cook then let cool overnight in the cooker. I open the cooker in front of the flow table and screw them down as I remove from cooker. Never a single issue

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Guys this tek grows some very chunky LC even under refrigeration, so make sure you use 14 or 16 gauge hypodermic needles in your syringes or you may get clogs if you intend to pull syringes from these jars.

[@zuul902]

do you have a link to these from amazon?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@zuul902 No, they are harder to find nowadays. Veterinary suppliers can be a good place to look, but Shroom Supply has 14 gauge needles which would work fine. Here's a link: www.shroomsupply.com/syringes-needles/sterile-needles

[@donkulasmushroomsandagri3123]

Thanks for sharing this idol 🍄 very interesting content .new friend sir see you idol🍄🥰

[@ChondroMan]

You can find the thicker gauge needles at tractor supply. They have the syringes as well.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@ChondroMan Good tip, thank you

[@Unclemushlovin]

Cheers just starting out wit mushroom growing out getting some good information from the community great content thanks

[@psyclinez5985]

Just bought 450 worth of mushroom spore's...for 34 years I've been growin everything else. So I figured why not,never did or even thought of growin these!!! Lol but down the rabbit hole I go,go,GOOOOOO Thanks blessed be...

[@quadlawnmowerman]

WOW! First time I have seen a video on mushrooms with the flow hood setup and being used correctly. You should not sit directly in front of a horizontal flow laminar flow hood, you are meant to sit to the side of the laminar air flow, sitting in front of the flow causes it to go up your body , back towards the filter and then back down into the airflow contaminating it. Well done good sir. To sit in front of a flow hood you have to use a vertical (top down) flowing flow hood.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I think it always just made sense to me to do it that way, so that's how I set the table up. Glad I got it right 👍😁 I've always had very little contamination even though my basement is far from a sterile setting. The flowhood does the trick. Thanks for watching.

[@ThePinkBinks]

Thanks for saying this. It seemed totally wrong to me to have it blasting into your eyes. It’d roll a wave of contam back into your workspace and spores into your eyes and lungs. Glad to have the confirmation that it needs to be at the side. 😁

[@ghz24]

LOL That is not going to happen. Use a smoking incense or cigar or sprinkle some flour above the air flow and see how far it makes it. Air molecules don't bounce upstream at these velocities.

[@quadlawnmowerman]

​@@ghz24 lol yourself, clearly you don't have or have used a flow hood, flour indeed.... Use some fluorescing trace powder actually meant for this kind of testing and you will see how much of a difference it makes. Vertical flow for working in front, horizontal flow for working to the side, there is a reason actual labs use vertical hoods for clean work.

[@ghz24]

@@quadlawnmowerman Use whatever powder you want it still cannot swim upstream. You obviously don't understand the term laminar flow. Why do the manufacturers put those side panels right in the way? Why don't the manufacturers photos portray users sitting in the "right" place? Successful sterile technique can be accomplished from either place it's more about placement of hands, tools, and cultures relative to the air flow. Better quality horizontal flow hoods have the return plenum under and around the opening to avoid turbulent air near the edge of the bench closer to the filter. This is because contaminates can no more swim up a 100 foot per minute air flow than you can swim up Niagara falls. BTW horizontal laminar flow hoods are superior to vertical designs due to the back wall having an inherently turbulent zone. Turbulent being the opposite of laminar. Vertical designs are usually selected over horizontal ones due to bench space or floor space considerations not for performance. Most vertical designs can't even technically be called laminar flow, they are turbulent by design.

[@frankostrowski3416]

You Rock man! Thanks for the mushroom education 5 🌟

[@coachfernley]

When I do the RTV lids I drill another hole and use either micropore tape, or pillow stuffing over it so it can air exchange just like the other ones : ) I've been looking for anybody who regularly uses wheat as it's what I can get for cheap where I am. Making my way though ALL of your videos fella thanks so much!!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Cool, let me know if you have any questions and thanks for watchin 👊

[@greenleaftreefrog]

Excellent video

[@get1moore]

I love your videos. I followed your instructions and used your techniques and methods and my spawn turned out great. I'm now at the fruiting stage and I can't wait for the harvest. I would like to know how you clear your jars and lids after using them so I can reuse them for another batch. Can you enlighten me? Thanks for all the great information.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Awesome, glad your grow is going well. I have a round bristle brush on a stick I use for cleaning jars. Just warm soapy water works great. I gently wash my lids with a sponge.

[@cookman6xcool]

Superb Please.let. me know the materials which is needed

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Distilled water, light karo syrup (corn syrup), and soy peptone is optional.

[@nealtyson8535]

What’s the best temp to keep the jars at after being inoculated.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Depends on the temperature preferences of the species, but 65 to 70F is what I go with typically.

[@paulhierholzer7278]

Great video, thanks. I'm sorry if you already answered this question. I'm brand new to this, but I'm a medical professional. We use sterile needles right out of the package and inject people with various things (vaccines, medicines, etc) without flaming the needle or wiping it with alcohol, as it's sterile out of the plastic cap. Why do all of the mushroom growers sterilize the needle when it's already sterile?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I'm using the same needle for multiple transfers so I flame between steps. There is no need to for the first use right out of the package of course, but you get in the habit, so it's just muscle memory. Plus my needles have been sitting on a dusty old basement shelf for 15 years, so it's a "trust but verify" kinda thing.

[@paulhierholzer7278]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[@woopyass]

You are the man. Thank you for showing me this.

[@relentless_m7614]

Outstanding video! Thank you so much for the help. Those micropose ports seem very helpful. Will order some.

[@adenekanrichard]

Thanks for sharing. If I can understand you very well. It mean I don't need grain. Please can you explain. Best regards

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You still need grain as a spawn medium. This just allows you to make and expand liquid culture to make tons of grain spawn efficiently. Liquid culture straight to substrate generally doesn't work well unless you are doing pftek.

[@theiceageiscoming.5516]

Great video, thanks from N.C.! 💪😎🇺🇲

[@carlfranz]

I really like the tone and pace of your videos. I held off on the video about jar lids -- jar lids? -- and now wish I'd seen it weeks ago. I have some jars of LC that look like yours and others more like frog eggs, with spots. I assume these are bad but I intend to grow them out, just to see what happens.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Thank you for your kind words. I rarely if ever get contamination in my liquid culture, but it is nearly impossible to tell just by looking at it. Mycelium grows in all kinds of crazy ways in LC. I always recommend testing a new batch on a grain jar before going big with it.

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

I would have to agree. His tone and pace makes for easy digestion of the information he is relaying, and his info is good as well. I came across this video in my recommended feed, and even though Ive known this info for many years, he kept me watching anyway, lol

[@judyhowell7075]

And he’s good looking too! 😅

[@SEA-U2]

Glad I found you & Subscribed 👍💖🤗🙏

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Me too 😁 Thx for watching, much more to come.

[@1ntwndrboy198]

Instead of peptone could I use molasses?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Peptone is not a sugar, it's a separate nutritional additive. You can skip the peptone and just use karo syrup. The mycelium will grow more slowly, but it will work fine.

[@ozoneswiftak]

Just what I needed . Thanks

[@DrGaryGreen]

Where can I look up what strain needs what conditions? Thanks again for all you do.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Mycelium Emporium is a great resource and they have a ton of cultures. In terms of books, I would go Stamets or Tradd Cotter, most recent editions.

[@DrGaryGreen]

Thanks

[@Wesleyholla]

Would this recipe work fine without the peptone? I am willing to wait longer for growth but I already have everything else needed laying around so it would be nice to not have to buy an additional ingredient

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yeah it will work fine without it, just slower growth.

[@beentheredonethatoriginals5673]

Usually when I'm working with flame and alcohol it's July and I've recently visited a nearby rez. And the wife is still mad about how much I spent. But your point is well taken.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

😂

[@joanneweisbeck3812]

Thank you for all the info. I only have a instant pot, do you have instructions for that type pot?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Sorry, never used one, but I'm sure there are instructions online somewhere.

[@dylski4294]

Could you just steam the liquid atop the stove in a large sterilizing pot to sterilize it? Or is a pressure cooker necessary?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

A pressure cooker is necessary for true sterilization. I typically do 25 minutes at 15 psi for liquid culture jars.

[@k.elysee6527]

How about using the RTV silicone port with another hole that's got micropore tape over it?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yep that will work, just use two layers of micropore tape.

[@k.elysee6527]

@@RenegadeMushrooms 👍👍👍

[@tombennett7722]

Hi, Thanks for the really great video tutorial. Your videos ares some of the best. I was wondering what the spec is on the blower you used on the laminar flow hood. I am about to build one and the info would be useful. Kind regards from the UK,

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It's an Aero-Flo CF Series 6" centrifugal fan. 460 cfm free air flow. They actually make centrifugal fans that you can control with a rheostat as well, so you can dial the fan up and down. I used one of those when I built my second flowhood for a friend.

[@tombennett7722]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thanks mate, really appreciate the prompt reply. One other thing as a newcomer, which is why I watch the best tutorials which are yours. Quick question; Once the substrate is inoculated and the bag sealed, placed on some shelving to incubate and colonize; do I need high humidity, or is that best left to the fruiting chamber once colonized ?? Cheers, Tom

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@tombennett7722 The bag provides all the humidity during colonization so you don't have to worry about it until fruiting. Thank you for the kind words.

[@zumbapatty4988]

Thanks for yet another great video! Just wondering, after you've stored syringes in the fridge, should you allow them to come back to room temp before injecting into spawn?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I never do, doesn't seem to matter much. I just pull them out take what I need, and back in the fridge.

[@orionsbelt3827]

Does Appalachian gold fungi send liquid cultures over night with an ice pack? I’m in Florida and it’s a challenge getting a liquid culture through mail without contamination from the heat

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

He might if you ask him. Jeff is usually pretty responsive to inquiries.

[@sarahhicks9651]

Always such good videos! I am wondering, can you do this with both spore & live culture (mycelium) syringes? I have some of both types of syringes & it looks like later in your video the syringe is a spore syringe, but I wasn't sure.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

This method works well with spore and liquid culture syringes. Glad you are enjoying the videos 🧡

[@nachmanedes9460]

AWESOME - THANK YOU BROTHER!!

[@SirBoden]

Well explained, thank you.

[@FawnKang]

Hi, wat to do with the liquid cultures? Do I nid to inject them into the sugar water like in your video? Here in Singapore I can only find liquid cultures.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

That's the best way if you want to expand your culture. 4% sugar solution. Corn syrup or honey works well.

[@myhobbygrow]

Awesome content and information. Thanks for sharing

[@healyfrequency5287]

Do you have a link where to find soy peptone?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Shroom Supply has it online.

[@RoyWanfried]

I use the same glasses. I have sometimes trouble with the lids they are not tight.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I always check them, they tend to loosen a bit in the pressure cooker.

[@VSXGMODZ]

How many cc of spores would you use

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

5 ccs for a quart should be plenty

[@PocketFullaShrooms]

What temperature are you using here for the lc

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

65 F for incubation, then into the fridge at 40 F for storage for cold strains. If cultivating a warm tropical strain like Pleurotus djamor or Agaricus blazei. Those are best held at 65 F. Refrigerator temps will kill them.

[@PocketFullaShrooms]

@@RenegadeMushrooms so if you're not going to keep it in the frigerator though you keep it at 65°F and use it cuz I have my night around 74°F just room temperature

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@PocketFullaShrooms I incubate mine till it's nice and chunky and them store it in the refrigerator in a plastic tub. I pull it out to pull the syringes I need and then put it back in the refrigerator. Some people just leave them at room temperature, that works fine too. Either way just keep your jars in a plastic tote with the lid on. That helps reduce contamination risk a lot. You just can't put tropical strains in the refrigerator or it will kill them.

[@PocketFullaShrooms]

@@RenegadeMushrooms okay yeah that's what I was just making sure of that you can't keep it at room temperature that's what I thought I seen I was like all I'm I doing it wrong I understand you're just using yours to slow it down a little bit that's why you're using colder temperatures

[@atanasdimitrov8496]

Hi. Can I substitute the peptone for a malt extract as a food source? I can't find peptone in my location. And if yes, is the ratio water to corn syrup to malt is the same?

[@johnparry9307]

I'm using lids with injection port and micro filter. When they come out the PC I'm going to try wiping the microfilter with isopropyl alcohol, and putting a stick on injection port on. And see if that will stop mold when you swirl the jars and get the filter wet. What do you think? Do you think that would hurt anything?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Are you talking about putting a port over the top of your filter disc, or removing the filter disc and replacing with an injection port? I'm not sure just adding a port over top of the disc will stop mold growth if you repeatedly get the filter wet. Better I think to avoid getting it wet or just don't use a filter and manually equalize pressure after the PC run. Always cool to try new things though, so let me know how it goes if you try it.

[@rhb30001]

Can the water on the bottom of the PC touch the bottom of the mason jars? I thought we had to use a lift to make sure that the jars are not sitting on water during the PC cycle? Or is it ok?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No it's fine, the bottoms of the jars can sit in water. If you are running a 23 qt. Presto PC like me I always add about 2 liters of water.

[@drcobb84]

When you said there was contimination. Did you see it in the jar. Or was it when you tested on grain/agar?? Keep up the awesome work btw

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Typically you can't see contamination in liquid culture, so it's best to test it on agar or a small grain jar before going into production with it.

[@machettefreddy4170]

I read to keep LC in the fridge is that true?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, once it is fully colonized, you should keep it in the refrigerator unless it is a very warm tropical species like Pink Oyster. Those can just be stored at room temperature.

[@Venkata_CV]

Xlnt Video...very detailed. Supa!

[@makeyousmile326]

where can i get the syringe's and what's the liquid already present inside the syringe that you've injected.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

The liquid inside the syringe is living mycelium suspended in a nutrient broth (called "liquid culture"). There are tons of liquid culture suppliers online. If you need empty syringes, I get them from here: www.shroomsupply.com/syringes-needles/sterile-syringes/?referrer=CNWR_684691708647669

[@Topazeification]

How do you draw the mycelium back up?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Lay the jar flat on the table or tip it up slightly if needed and withdraw your liquid into the syringe.

[@Myspacemeta]

Is there a downside to using quart jars instead?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No, quarts work fine. I just use pints because by the time they are getting low, it's time to refresh them anyway. I don't go through a ton of volume.

[@didgeridooblue]

A wooden dowel will also work as a stir bar.

[@ah1864]

I have a question...if I fill a syringe with water and pc it for 10 minutes will it be sterile enough to make grain liquid culture (myceliated water)

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Probably, but I've never tried it. The smallest volume I've done is one pint. If it were me, I would probably go a bit longer to be safe. I'm also wondering if some of your LC will leak out of the syringe, but not sure on that.

[@azsunburns]

I find watching a variety of mycology enthusiasts quite fascinating. I love the free tutorial aspect and I greatly appreciate your efforts in producing helpful educational content... I'm also always pleasantly surprised to see the fluidity in mother nature and the subtle ways she tips her hat to her abundance against humanity's attempts at "rules". While you go for a 4% sugar solution using light caro, another enthusiast will teach sticking to a 2% solution using other forms such as glucose, dextrose,etc. While you teach using soy peptone, many enthusiasts never use it. We attempt turning everything into an absolute, a "science", while nature reminds us there's a million nutrients mushrooms can use & it's not as difficult as we try and portray it. There's room to breathe ❤️

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Glad you are enjoying the content. Yes there are many recipes that are effective in all aspects of mushroom cultivation, liquid culture, spawn, substrate, etc. One of my favorite things about creating content for the channel is being able to experiment with new techniques and share results with thousands of other like-minded people.

[@wonsuchu3463]

Thanks very for your video. Lots of good information. When you almost finish liquid culture jar can you use the liquid culture in the jar to expanse to make another batch liquid culture jars? So we don’t need to buy liquid culture again . Thank you

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, you can use that original jar to keep making new jars. Also, you should refresh them on to new nutrient broth once a year, even if you're jar isn't empty.

[@melhawk6284]

@@RenegadeMushrooms could you make a video explaining the refresh? Or would you just make a new LC broth, pasteurize it, and then shoot it into the old jar on top of what is left?

[@createurimage]

Hello, is what’s in the syringe is liquid culture? I was curious how to inject agar culture into liquid culture without opening the jar or the flask of inoculated liquid culture. Thank you.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Easiest way is to just cut an agar wedge and drop it in a jar of sterilized liquid culture. You can do that with a glove box or flowhood, but you have to lift the lid.

[@303otto]

what would happen if you dont add Peptone to the solutiuon?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It works fine. Peptone is a great nutritional additive if you need a lot of mycelium fast. But just karo and water works fine.

[@303otto]

@@RenegadeMushrooms nice to know, thx man 😎👍

[@nicenicnicnic8362]

Super helpful and informative good vid

[@cubbymcghee9195]

Someone has probably already said something, but is it OK to work in a flow hood with it coming across your space instead of in front?? 🤯 27:54

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, either setup seems to work fine.

[@cubbymcghee9195]

@@RenegadeMushrooms very novel idea. Thx for the tip!

[@zumbapatty4988]

If you use honey instead of light Karo, is it the same amount? Not sure if the sugar content is comparable.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, it's comparable

[@tomlerro8461]

How long can you store the nutrient solution before you add the lc. Also, how is the best way to store the nutrient solution until you’re ready to inoculate? Thanks for all your help.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I put them in the fridge (foil lids on) in a storage tote. I've kept them in there for a few months and they've been fine.

[@tomlerro8461]

Thank you

[@donnybrown6837]

Can you give me the link for the adhesive injection port ect,...Thanks

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

microppose.com/

[@SuperiorDave]

FYI, Hole punches for paper make a clean edged, perfect size hole for injection port and filter.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I've heard that but never tried one, good suggestion 👍

[@mondowgirl]

I cant get it to push threw

[@tomlerro8461]

Hope all is going well. I followed the video and expanded my lc. I made the lc a few months ago, I used the expanded lc and produced mushrooms. I have stirred with magnetic sticks weekly. I’ve noticed the lc still has an amber color, the mycelium at the bottom appears good, but I’m getting a white mass floating on top of the lc. Is that contamination? How do I test the lc to verify it is ok to use? Thank you for your help.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

That is totally normal that jars form that white mat on top. The mycelium takes off on the surface because of the FAE. I would guess that your jars are still fine, but you can test them on a small grain jar (I usually use half or quarter pints). You can also test them on agar if you have a flowhood.

[@tomlerro8461]

Thank you very much for the reply. What is fae? Filtered air exchange? I’m glad to hear you think they’re fine, I will do a small test.

[@francis_growmoppa1517]

Can I use something in replacement of the Peptones 🤔🤔

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

The peptone is a nice additive, but it's not necessary. You can skip it and just use the karo syrup. You can also order peptone online at shroomsupply.com

[@citylotgardening6171]

Great video thanks for sharing 👍

[@gustavoares170]

Could you share the link where u got the Cordyceps M? Appreciate it!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

www.terrestrialfungi.com/

[@sidnguyen122]

It's a great video. Thank you.

[@jacobjamar]

Been watching your videos for a while! Love them! Have you gotten a stir plate and stir bars yet? Just curious.. Keep it up dude!!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No, not yet, still doing the old manual shake. At some point I would like to though. Glad you are enjoying the videos 👍

[@moonlighthomestead4259]

How far out in front of the flow hood is “safe” to work? Is there a point that contaminants start to show up?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

That's a great question, there are a lot of variables, but I would stay within 3 ft. of the filter surface. I would say I do 99% of my work inside 2 ft. of the surface.

[@moonlighthomestead4259]

Thank you! Just getting started at home and learning a lot from your videos and approach!

[@hydrantinco]

Question: I'm a noob.... but if you pull a brand new needle out from the package isn't already disinfected?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes it is, but I'm a "trust but verify" kinda guy.

[@tytuttu458]

Awesome. Thanks. Can you use honey (or something else that is easier to attain loacally) in stead of light corn syrup? What is the reason you don`t crank the heat up to full when heating up the pressure cooker?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes honey works well, lots of recipes online. I've always heard that it's better for your containers, jars or bags, to not just crank up the heat on your PC. Helps prevent cracking, bag failure, etc. I usually start on medium high and give it about an hour to warm and pressurize up.

[@jonesincanada]

I've been leaving my lids loosely tightened whilst pressure cooking my grain pawn. I put micropore tape over a 1/4" hole then foil. Should I be tightening the lids fully then?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I always do and I've never had an issue. I'm using the synthetic filter discs though. Only issue might be your tape losing adhesion if it doesn't stick as well as the discs. Maybe try it with a jar and see how it goes.

[@jonesincanada]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thank you so much

[@AFIPNISI-ELLINON-TORA]

Hi. Can you tell me if there's something else I can use instead of soy peptone, because this is very expensive...? Thank you

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You can skip the peptone and just use the Karo syrup. Peptone is a nice additive, but it's not necessary.

[@memoponschido6657]

hello renegade!!! is there an alternative to soy peptone? In Spain it is difficult to obtain and very expensive. Many greetins !!!!! Thanks very much for yours videos!!!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You can skip the soy peptone and just use the karo syrup. The mycelium will grow more slowly, but it will still work fine.

[@tommyrenegado7205]

The mason jars are just disinfected with 70% hydrogen peroxide before pouring in the agar liquid or does the pressure cooker sterilize everything?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No need to do that, the PC kills everything.

[@J155P]

Do you know the formula for figuring out 4% based on different amounts of water?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

So just take the amount of water you want to end up with and multiply it by .04 100 ml x .04 = 4 ml So 4 ml sugar + 96 ml water = 100 ml of 4% sugar solution When using karo, it actually works out to a little less than 4% because karo is not PURE sugar, but it works fine for me.

[@J155P]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thanks a lot. That makes sense. Really appreciate you answering all of my questions.

[@ustotz]

Thank you for your interesting and helpful videos. You keep talking about the 4 percent sugar solution based on Karo Light Corn Syrup. If I am correctly informed, Karo Light Corn Syrup contains 33.3% glucose. So your recipe with the 4 percent Karo Light Corn Syrup results in a glucose solution of about 1.3%. Did I understand that correctly? Many greetings Urs

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I don't think the sugar content for light karo is that low. Information I found says 76% sugar. At any rate, just add 4% karo and a pinch of soy peptone and anything will grow like crazy on it.

[@ustotz]

@@RenegadeMushrooms In Switzerland you hardly ever find corn syrup, and certainly not Karo Light Corn Syrup. That's why I have to convert it to glucose. Corn syrup is mainly based on glucose, 76% glucose sugar, as you wrote to me. So your LC mixture has around 3% glucose + soy peptone. Thank you!

[@creggcoffelt295]

at what point do you move the inoculated bag from the tub into the fruiting chamber? My cultures came from Liquid Fungi blue, golden and shiitake. the shiitake seems very slow to culture up. is that normal? what's the best temps for fruiting and how long do you keep the lights on in the fruiting stage? all the time or how many light and dark hours? thanks for the quick reply last time appreciate it.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

When growing oysters, I leave them in the tubs until the pins are about an inch long, then I move then to the chamber where they can get enough free air exchange to develop normally. Lights are 12 hours on, 12 hours off, LEDs in the 6500K spectrum.

[@MooreprideVIII]

Great video! When the culture gets old but you love the mushrooms that the culture produces. Can you use a syringe of it to Inoculate a new jar to keep it going?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, you can, but there are some nuances to that process. I'm actually working on a video on that exact topic now. Should be out in a few weeks.

[@GlorifiedPizza]

Does it matter that the light corn syrup includes vanilla extract? I've heard it should be free of any added flavors.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I've been using it for 20 years with no issues. I'm thinking a bit of bean extract in there is all good.

[@mehmetalpyel]

If im using PTFE syringe filter 0.22um 25mm should i loosen the jar lid a little or close it completely some people say i should in order not overload the filter

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I'm not a fan of syringe filters personally, but you should not need to loosen your lid with them. Air exchange should be sufficient.

[@robinmevlille9486]

Good morning, I have another question. Can I use Agave instead of corn syrup?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Most natural sugars work, but I've never heard of anyone trying agave. Try it out and let us know.

[@Its_me12759]

Thank you for useful video

[@HomeDistiller]

If you have lids that have been sterilized and sterile liquid and a needle that you just opened then there's no reason to flame the needle at all unless you have had some unsterile contact with the needle, just quickly lift the foil and inoculate

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@HomeDistiller My needles have been sitting on a dusty basement shelf for like 18 years so I'm in the habit of hitting them up anyways.

[@ChondroMan]

Since alcohol only sanitizes isn't it kinda counterintuitive to wipe your syringe after flame sterilizing it?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I suppose you could look at it that way, but I hate soot on my injection ports and I've done LC this way for 20 years with zero contamination. The moral of the story is the flame then alcohol wipe method is fine for LC.

[@ChondroMan]

@@RenegadeMushrooms ah I see. So what you are really trying to say is it's an ocd type a thing. 🤣 I'm just messing. Hey if it works that's all that matters. I've had that same impulse before wanting to wipe away that soot. It was just one of those things where it dawned on me, especially when I first started out. You know... Beginners anxiety of everything 😂

[@Jan6750]

Do you grow your Lions Mane in bags or innoculaye logs?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I've tried both, but bags are for more effective. Here's a video of how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hF60oZVpgJ14gpIsi=0xXsRGCou36BVzBH

[@creggcoffelt295]

started my LC like you did trying to follow your procedures. after a week one of my blue oyster mix developed one 3/8" white solid like disc that floats on top. what is it and is it bad? love your vids. thanks

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

That's normal. Usually it happens when you're not swirling your jars regularly to mix them up, but it's not a big deal. It's just your mycelium forming a heavy mat at the surface of your liquid culture. When you go to pull syringes out you'll just have to give it a little swirl to move the mat out of the way so it doesn't clog your needle.

[@Mobil351]

Hey I joy your videos, can I make pint size jars of grain spawn I’m just starting I want to make lions mane

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Absolutely, pints work well for spawn. I would use about 2 to 3 ccs of liquid culture per pint.

[@OhYeah-me1cg]

I wanted to grow mushrooms but if you have to have hospital operating conditions, I'm not sure if I want to go through all that work.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It doesn't have to be that involved. You don't have to make your own spawn and liquid culture, it just saves you a lot of money in the long run.

[@J155P]

Would you discourage using well water for LC?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Should be fine if that's all you have, but I prefer distilled.

[@creggcoffelt295]

after the first pick do you have to do anything to the block in preparation for the 2nd or 3rd flushes

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Typically no. With most gourmets you just keep the block in humid conditions and they will flush again. If pins form under the plastic you may need to cut some new holes and set them free.

[@zuul902]

Hi! There's no need to aspirate on the rtv lids with no GE hole. Just leave the lid loose 1/4 turn with some foil over it. also, why do you wipe the needle after flame sterilizing it? You sterilize it and then contaminate it after with the alcohol essentially. The alcohol can only sanitize, not sterilize like a flame.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I've never tried the 1/4 turn method, thanks for the tip. Wiping the needle with the alcohol towel rapidly cools and cleans the soot off it, keeping my injection ports clean. I always use this method, and it never causes any contamination.

[@zuul902]

@@RenegadeMushrooms no problem! I use it, and know a lot of other growers that use it with great success. I usually flame the needle, then squirt out a tiny drop of liquid to cool the needle before injecting. Whatever works though 🤷 great video!

[@dangoesfast]

I'm doing my first run of LC today using this recipe.. I have four RTV lids and four filter lids (just to see the difference). Hadn't thought of just leaving the lid slightly ajar, thanks for the extra tip 🤙🤙

[@joy14348]

Thank you for all your amazing vedio tutorials. One tiny question. Why dont you let the lid be slightly unscrewed while pc sterilizing and then close it with the foil on top after the removal?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You don't need to vent the lids on these jars because the filter disc in the lid allows the pressure to equalize. After I inject them, I leave the foil lid off for a bit to allow the filter discs to dry out. Once they are dry, I recover them with foil. If the filter disc remain wet, they will eventually contaminate with mold.

[@danielengsvang3126]

The syringes is sterile when opened as new but when re-used you have to to the same procedure he does. Correct me if i am wrong. Cheers from Sweden :)

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You are correct, new syringes are sterile in the package. But the syringe is also stuffed with polyfil. The polyfil needs to be sterilized as well, because it helps to filter the incoming fresh air. That's why I do the alcohol procedure.

[@danielengsvang3126]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Ok, i see. I didn't think about that. You are correct about that. The only reason i commented on that is just that so people who openes a syringe that is already sterile does NOT heat in a flame when not needed, because that makes the hardening of the syringe to wear of and it gets dull or bent much easier. I am not the guy who tries to correct you. I am the strange guy just commenting for the benefit of the collective. Cheers from me and my Mini swamp-farm i Sweden :).

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@danielengsvang3126 Awesome bro. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@trinityharton1284]

Should I add soy peptones to already made liquid culture

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No, I wouldn't bother. Maybe just consider adding a little to your next batch. It's not necessary, but mycelium loves it.

[@Shueysstuff]

How critical is it to have the PC at 15 PSI? Presto 23 Quart Canners are crazy money where I live... like $400.. I'm hoping that just a regular pressure cooker will suffice?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

If you run at a lower PSI, like 10 for instance, you just have to run your sub for a longer amount of time to guarantee sterilization. There are PSI sterilization tables out there on the web if you do some searching. I can't believe they are that much at your location, crazy...

[@Shueysstuff]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Cheers mate! I'll get cooking!

[@zumbapatty4988]

Presto told me that a regular pressure cooker (without the pressure gauge) does run at 15 psi once the rocker is moving.

[@orionsbelt3827]

Really enjoying your content!! When cultures are in incubation, are they receiving any light?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No light is needed during incubation generally. A little light won't hurt, but direct bright light is detrimental and should be avoided. Thanks for watching 👍

[@orionsbelt3827]

@@RenegadeMushrooms thanks for doing what you do