Substrate Question - Mushroom Cultivation (2024)

First post. I appreciate y'all for all I have learned here. First time grower. The jars and tubs look good so far. I should have a bountiful April.

My question: On Saturday I pasteurized a bucket of CVG. I have about 6 quarts left that are still sealed in the bucket.

I need to make two buckets of substrate this weekend. Can I add the remaining 6 quarts (3 quarts for each)? The idea would be to repasteurize it with the new. Do I even need to repasteurize it?

I hate to waste good substrate.

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We really do not need to pasteurize CVG. We hydrate since it doesn't contain any nutrients.

We can heat up some water or not, dump it on a block of coir or your coir verm mix, close the lid, and let it break down and hydrate for several hours or overnight. I like to add water in two stages, half of it right on top the brick, close the lid. Then 3-4 hours later, open it, break clumps that are easy to break, leave the remainder of the brick if there is some left that is still too hard to break up, and add more water. Then, close the lid and leave overnight. the next morning, mix well and check for proper hydration again.

From what you describe, I would use one bucket to store the prepped substrate and make a new batch in an empty bucket. Then when the new batch is finished, pour it in with the existing one. Then, mix it all up well and recheck for proper hydration.

If the mixed loads are underhydrated, add more water and mix, and if they are overhydrated, add more vermiculite and mix.

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Appreciate the answers!

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OH! Make sure that you only use that bucket for coir/substrate. Don't ever soak grains in the bucket and then use it for coir again. There will be tiny bits of starch and mold loves that stuff.

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Thanks for the additional info. I have two buckets dedicated to grain (one stores dry grain and the other for soaking). Two more buckets for substrate!

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