GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

150 GENERATING
GRAIN SPAWN
- 123. A space-e rack for incubating
grain spawn in jars. 340 112 gallon jars can be stored
on this 8' long x 8' high x 16" wide shelf system.
Spawn quality is improved by storing the jars at an
angle. (Earthquake sensitive.)
ml. of myceliated broth directly out of each Erlenmeyer
into each half gallon jar of sterilized
grain. In time, an adept cultivator develops a
remarkably accurate ability to dispense liquid
spawn in consistently equal proportions. The
spawn maker's movements become rapid, repetitious,
and highly rhythmic.*
One study, using a similar method (Yang and
Yong, 1987), showed that the hyphal clusters
averaged less than 2 mm. in diameter, and that
each milliliter contained 1000-3500 "hyphal
balls." The range of time for the maximum production
of hyphal clusters varied between
species, from two days to fourteen.The recommended
inoculation rate was 15 ml. for each
250 grams of grain. For ease of handling, distribution
and colonization, I find that the
dilution schedule described above efficiently
inoculates large volumes of grain in the creation
of grain masters. (30 ml. of inoculum is used to
inoculate 500-600 grams of grain in 2-liter or
1/2-gallon jars). Most of the wood decomposers
described in this book flourish with the
aforementioned technique.
The lids to each container are replaced as
soon as they are inoculated. If the lids to each
jar are loosened prior to free-pouring, then one
hand lifts each lid, while the other hand, pours
the liquified mycelium into each jar, moving
side-to-side. If an assistant is present, the jars
are removed as soon as they are inoculated. As
they are removed each lid is tightly secured and
the jar is quickly shaken to evenly mix the liquid
spawn through the grain. Each jar is stored
at an angle on a spawn rack. One person inoculating
in this fashion can keep two people busy
"feeding" him newjars andremoving those just
inoculated. Since this system is fast paced, the
time vector, the "window of vulnerability:' is
much less compared to thetime-consuming, labor-intensive,
traditional methods. The disadvantage
of this technique, if there is one, is
that the stakes for the clumsy spawn producer
are higher. Any mistake will be amplified with
force. Should any one of the petri dish cultures
harbor contaminants, once that culture is placed
together in the Eberbach stirrer, all resulting
spawn jars will be contaminated. This is an allor-nothing
technique. Fortunately, if following
the techniques outlined in this book, success is
* Various laboratory pumps can be used for highly
accurate injections of liquid media without danger of
contamination.The Monostat Jr. Dispenser®
(#54947-110), equipped with a foot switch, delivers
shots of 10-50 ml. of liquid inocula per second
utilizing a 5/16 in. silicon tube. If equipped with a
multiple dispersion manifold, several spawn
containers at once can be inoculated with ease and
speed.
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