GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

132 GENERATING_GRAIN SPAWN
Figure 103. Filling 1/2gallon jars with grain.
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cultivators build semi-automatic grain dispenser
bins to facilitate the rapid filling of
spawn containers. These are similar in design
to those seen in many organic food co-ops in
North America.
The grain used for spawn production must be
free of fungicides and ideally should be organically
grown. Grain obtained in the spring was
probably harvested 6 or more months earlier.
The resident contamination population gradually
increases overtime. With the proliferation
of more contaminants per lb. of grain, cultivators
will have to adjust their sterilization
schedules to compensate. Experienced cultivators
are constantly searching for sources of
fresh, high quality grain with endemically low
counts of bacteria and mold spores.
With one brand of commercially available
rye grain, acup of dry grain has amass of 210
Figure 104. Pressure cookers useful for sterilizing agar and grain media. Note the smaller unit has a built-in
heat source. The larger pressure cooker is placed on a stove-top or propane burner. Pressure is regulated by
adjusting the heat source.
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