You should fully sterilize the substrate. Always follow the sterilization method with no exceptions. Check the pressure regularly when using a pressure cooker to achieve a heat sterilization.

Does Monotub substrate need to be sterilized?

The amount of bulk substrate and spawn you use will be dependent on the size of your monotub. You want to have 3-5 inches of substrate. Keep sandwiching spawn in layers of bulk substrate until you’ve reached your desired depth. Make sure the lid to your monotub is also sterilized with rubbing alcohol.

Do you need to pasteurize substrate?

However, for substrates like straw, the ideal method is pasteurization, not sterilization. When you have completed this process, you may still have some microorganisms being active in your substrate such as beneficial bacteria. To sterilize, on the other hand, means to eliminate every living organism in the substrate.

How much can a Monotub yield?

Larynx Well-Known Member Mushroom Doctor Cubes usually will produce at 100% B.E. even if conditions are pour. With good genetics and a dialed in fruiting chamber, you can achieve 200% B.E. and maybe a little more. The amount that you get from any mono is determined mainly by how much you put in.

Why is it called a Monotub?

The name is of the technique is self-explanatory. A monotub is a sizeable plastic tub with holes for air circulation. This is the fruiting chamber used for growing mushrooms. The origins of the technique come from the hallucinogenic mushroom growers.

How do you pasteurize large amounts of substrates?

One way to pasteurize the substrate is simply to submerge it in boiling water for at least one or two hours.

What happens to bulk substrate if you sterilize it?

If you sterilize the bulk substrate it becomes as nearly as susceptible to contaminants as highly nutritious spawn substrates like rye berries and brown rice.

How long does it take to pasteurize a bulk substrate?

Bulk substrates are pasteurized rather than sterilized. Pasteurization allows certain beneficial bacteria to survive in the substrate, which prevents harmful bacteria or mold from growing. To pasteurize a substrate it must be kept at a temperature of 160-180F for 1-3 hours.

Why is it important to sterilize mushroom substrate?

Sterilization of the substrate is one of the critical steps when it comes to mushroom cultivation. Without a good sterilized substrate, the level of contamination within the substrate is too high for the mycelium to grow. This, therefore, leads to low yield or even worse to a total loss.

Can a Mycelium grow without a sterilized substrate?

Without a good sterilized substrate, the level of contamination within the substrate is too high for the mycelium to grow. This, therefore, leads to low yield or even worse to a total loss.