BenJamin Harder

Blacksburg, VA, United States

Started log pro in 13 then straw. Used covid money to built a container fruiting chamber and lab. Now trying to master LC-> liquidity.

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16 posts

30 comments

Replied on SHIITAKE on Masters Mix

07 Sep 22:13

David Medlock F&F is the bomb. I’ve been growing shiitakes on logs from their spawn for almost a decade. When I started the lab then I started branching out and finding out how deep the rabbit hole goes. I wish I had know about C&S sooner! Is S75 and straw shiitake strains the same.

Replied on SHIITAKE on Masters Mix

01 Sep 00:55

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Hell yeah Erik!! That’s killer. Don’t get me going or I’m going to be asking a question every day! I’m going to grab me some LC tomorrow to play with unless wink wink that’s going to be the next culture… just messin!

Also weird question but do you know what the type of wax people sell as plug spawn wax that is pliable at room temp?

And one of my team inoculated plug spawn with a block strain from NS. Can you grow block strains out on logs?

(Today)3790 clone on masters from F&F my old shiitake and oyster supplier before I started the lab in 20. 😘

Posted

31 Aug 11:09

SHIITAKE on Masters Mix

Thanks Eric for all the great info on shiitakes with the new episode and deep dive. Anyone having much luck with shiitakes on masters mix, if so what strain?

It sure would be easy for my production system and bagger.

I thought it was interesting the ultra pasteurizing not being enough and explaining the duds.

I did some autoclave bran experiments yesterday but I didn't have much luck with that when I first started. Seems like 20% bran is crazy... is that for midds? Trad talked about 1/2 cup per 5lb... generally speaking...

Is it weird to ask suppliers where their strains come from or are? I have two from NS, and about 7 others that have come my way. I worry they might all be 3790, which I have for sure and 3782 which I don't know if I have or not... or junk...

Eric, I'm definitely down for Shiitake this winter, or Bears Head or any good winter producers!

Replied on Stirring production bags!

31 Aug 10:14

Also do y’all just stir once after inoculation?

Replied on Stirring production bags!

31 Aug 10:12

Like 10 or 20 ft?

Posted

18 Jul 10:44

Stirring production bags!

What’s up everyone. I’m a small/med size shroomery. Yesterday I was trying to go on YouTube university to study up on what people are doing to stir 100s of production bags and I couldn’t find shit!! When I first started my lab I build one of the Myers drier stirrers but I’m not super happy with it and I stopped using it for a while and was doing everything by hand. Now that we are producing 60-100 10# bags a week I’m trying to revisit it. Plus, I have tennis elbow in both arms and would love to try and figure something out. I’m loosing my summer interns soon and a major pro to hiring someone would be stirring. Which seems dumb. I’m trying to stir better the first time at inoculation and experimenting with smaller grains for production spawn. Are Bigger producers just stirring once? Any other thoughts or ideas? Thanks!!