GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

136 GENERATING GRAIN SPAWN
Figure 109. Inoculating G2 gauon jars ot sterilized
grain from 1/2 gallon (2 liter) G' masters.
bag form and is sold to consumer-growers.
A standard inoculation rate would be 1 quart
(liter) Grain Master to five 1/2 gallons, in other
words a 1:10 expansion. A diluted inoculation,
on the verge of being unsuccessful would be 1
quart Grain Master to twenty 1/2 gallons, in
other words a 1:40 expansion. Exceeding a 1:40
expansion of mycelium is likely to be associated
with a >20% failure rate, a percentage
unacceptable to any spawn laboratory. Not only
can the loss be measured in terms of failure to
mature, but each failed spawnjar is likely to be
center stage for releasing thousands of contaminants
back into the laboratory. Liquid
inoculation techniques allow a much greater
exponent of expansion than the traditional
method destribed here. (See Liquid Inoculation
Techniques described on Page 146.)
Step-by-step instructions follow for a classic
grain-to-grain inoculation. As before, the
cleanest items should be prioritized nearest to
the micron filter. Adherence to sterile inoculation
techniques should be strictly observed.
Steps for Creating Second
and Third Generation Grain
Spawn
After sterilizing grain in 1/2 gallon or gallon
jars, standard procedures for inoculation are
followed. For every quart Grain Master, five
1/2 gallon jars are recommended, essentially a
1:10 expansion.
Step 1. Select a Grain Master showing even,
luxuriant growth.Avoid spawnjars having zones
of heavy growth, discoloration, or excess liquid.
Step 2. Using a cleaned rubber tire, carefully
slam thejar against it, loosening the grain. If the
spawn is overgrown, more forcible shaking is
required before the spawn kernels will separate.
Do not strike the jar against the palm of your
Figure 110. Jars furthest downstream are inoculated
first and removed.
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