When it comes to growing shrooms monotub style, the best substrate to use is a coconut coir substrate. However, there are several common mushroom substrates used, including brown rice, rye grain, horse manure, cow manure, chicken manure, hay or straw, sawdust, peat moss, coco coir, and coffee grounds.

The coco coir substrate is made from the fibrous outer husk of coconuts and is a popular choice among mushroom growers due to its high water retention and low nutrient content. These properties help prevent contamination from unwanted microorganisms, molds, or bacteria. To prepare the coco substrate, it should be mixed with vermiculite and appropriate additives such as gypsum, sulfur, nitrogen, or calcium. Afterward, it should be pasteurized before adding grain spawn. The recommended spawn to substrate ratio is approximately 1:2.

It is essential to maintain proper humidity and temperature levels when growing mushrooms in a monotub. These factors can significantly affect the growth and yield of the mushrooms.

There is no one size fits all mushroom substrate recipe for creating bulk mushroom substrate. However, for a successful monotub substrate, you can use a combination of 80% coconut coir and 20% vermiculite by volume.

Another successful mushroom substrate recipe involves using 30% cow manure or horse manure, 30% vermiculite, and 40% coco coir. You can also add other additives such as peat moss, brown rice flour, agricultural lime, gypsum, coffee grounds, and worm castings to enhance the nutrients and texture of the substrate.

It's important to maintain a spawn to substrate ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 for cubensis and b plus mushrooms and ensure proper sterilization or pasteurization of the mushroom substrate before inoculation to prevent contamination. We suggest following the Coco Coir Mushroom Substrate Recipe, which is 1:1:1 by volume of peat moss, vermiculite, and coconut coir mixed with 10-15% of cow manure or horse manure.

For more information on bulk spawn tek, CVG substrate ratio or the coconut coir substrate, check out our The Black Truffle blog or Shroomery related threads.

The recommended spawn to substrate ratio for growing mushrooms, such as cubensis, b plus mushrooms, or oyster mushrooms, is around 1:2 to 1:4. This means that for the psilocybe cubensis substrate recipe, one part of grain spawn should be used for every two to four parts of mushroom substrate. However, the exact ratio may depend on the type of mushroom and growing conditions.

A higher ratio of spawn to substrate can lead to faster mycelium colonization but may also increase the risk of contamination. On the other hand, a lower ratio of spawn to substrate may result in slower colonization but can be more cost effective.

A common coconut coir substrate recipe for cubensis mushrooms is the "Damion5050's Coir Tek," which uses 50% coco coir and 50% vermiculite by volume. This recipe is simple and effective, providing a loose and airy substrate that is easy to work with. Other popular ingredients that can be added include peat moss, brown rice flour, gypsum, agricultural lime, and coffee grounds.

A fruiting chamber, or monotub fruiting chamber, is a crucial element in mushroom cultivation that provides a controlled environment for the fruiting phase of mushroom growth. The fruiting chamber should have proper humidity and temperature control mechanisms, as well as air ventilation and lighting to promote optimal growth conditions.

The most common way to create a fruiting chamber is to use a plastic container or a grow tent. To create a monotub, you will need a plastic container with a lid, a submersible water heater, a temperature and humidity controller, a fan, and a spray bottle or mister. You will also need to prepare your substrate using a sterilization or pasteurization method and inoculate it with mushroom spawn or spores.

To prepare your monotub, drill several holes in the container's sides and bottom to allow for air circulation and drainage. Fill the container with your substrate mixture, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Place a submersible water heater in a container filled with water and set it to maintain the desired temperature range for your mushrooms.

Set up a fan to circulate air and mist the substrate with a spray bottle to maintain the humidity level. Monitor the temperature, humidity levels, and (FAE) free air exchange, adjusting them as necessary to ensure optimal growing conditions. Once your mushrooms are ready to fruit, you can remove the lid and expose them to natural or artificial light.

Field capacity refers to the optimal moisture level for bulk mushroom substrate. It is the point at which the substrate has enough moisture to support mycelium growth and mushroom fruiting without being overly saturated, which can cause problems like bacterial contamination and slow colonization.

How to Determine the Right Moisture Level for Bulk Mushroom Substrate?

One simple way to assess the moisture level of your mushroom substrate is through the "squeeze test." This involves checking the substrate's texture, which should feel like a wrung out sponge, with no dripping when held, a few droplets when squeezed lightly, and a small stream of water when squeezed harder.

By ensuring that your bulk mushroom substrate has the ideal moisture level, you can facilitate optimal mycelium growth and fruiting while avoiding issues like bacterial contamination and slow colonization.

How to Achieve the Proper Moisture Level for Bulk Mushroom Substrate?

To achieve the right moisture level, add water slowly and mix the substrate thoroughly until it reaches field capacity. Be careful not to add too much water, as it can lead to soggy substrate and other issues. If you are unsure, you can always refer to online resources such as The Black Truffle Blog or the Shroomery to seek guidance from experienced mushroom growers.

The best substrate for growing cubensis or b plus mushrooms is a nutrient rich bulk organic mixture that typically includes coco coir, vermiculite (verm), gypsum and a nitrogen source such as horse manure, cow manure or chicken manure. This psilocybe cubensis substrate recipe provides the ideal balance of nutrients for the mushroom mycelium to colonize and grow into fruiting bodies.

Before use, the substrate should be pasteurized or sterilized to eliminate any unwanted bacteria or contaminants that could compete with the psilocybin mycelium. Once the cubensis bulk substrate is prepared, it can be inoculated with the best grain spawn for cubensis, spore print, agar slant, agar plate, liquid culture, or spore syringe, and placed in a fruiting chamber to promote mushroom growth.

To achieve increased yields and optimal performance in mushroom substrate, it is recommended to use 5-10% gypsum, measured by volume. This means adding one part gypsum for every ten parts of substrate. Adding gypsum to grains during their soak is also crucial for proper hydration and optimal mushroom growth, at a rate of 2-3 tablespoons per quart of grain.

By following these tips, you can successfully cultivate mushrooms using gypsum for bulk substrate.

It is generally recommended to pasteurize substrate rather than sterilize it.

How to Pasteurize Mushroom Substrate?

Pasteurization involves heating the bulk substrate to a temperature of 140°F to 160°F for at least 90 minutes. This process allows a select group of microorganisms to survive, which can help inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria that may land on your mushroom substrate during the inoculation process using a mushroom spore syringe. Sterilization, on the other hand, kills all microorganisms, including those that would be beneficial to your substrate for mushrooms.

How to Pasteurize Bulk Substrate?

Pasteurizing bulk substrate involves heating it to a temperature of 140°F to 160°F for at least 90 minutes. This kills mold spores, seedlings, and most bacteria and other harmful organisms that would otherwise prevent the mushroom mycelium from properly colonizing your bulk substrate. Pasteurization also allows for a select group of microorganisms to survive, which can help inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria that may land on your substrate when you're spawning to it.

What is the Difference of Pasteurization vs. Sterilization?

Pasteurization is the process of heating a substrate to a temperature that kills harmful microorganisms while allowing a select group of microorganisms to survive. Sterilization, on the other hand, is the process of killing all microorganisms, including those that would be beneficial to your mushroom substrate.

A monotub is a popular fruiting chamber used in mushroom cultivation to grow large quantities of mushrooms in a small space. It is an efficient and straightforward method that produces impressive yields.

The best substrate to use for a monotub is a coco coir mushroom substrate recipe with a spawn to substrate ratio of 1:2. To prepare the substrate, mix the coco coir with vermiculite and gypsum. Pasteurize the mixture by hydrating with hot water and then allow it to cool down to room temperature.

Next, add the grain spawn and mix thoroughly before adding the mixture to the monotub. The coco coir substrate provides an ideal texture and nutrient content for mushroom growth, while the spawn helps to colonize the substrate quickly. Ensure that the environment is kept moist, dark, and at the right temperature for optimal growth.

Knowing when to fruit your monotub is crucial for maximizing mushroom yields. Fruiting begins once the substrate is fully colonized with mycelium and has a dense white layer covering the surface.

To initiate fruiting, expose the substrate to fresh air, light, and proper humidity levels, adjusting as needed. Consistent temperature and humidity are vital for successful fruiting. Techniques such as misting and fanning can also promote healthy mushroom growth.

With proper care, your monotub can yield a bountiful harvest of high quality mushrooms.