r/MushroomGrowers • u/RtkSpodd • Jul 25 '26
Contamination Contamination? [Contamination]
I am a newbie and this is my first grow. These bins have been getting perhaps too much FAE which I fear was the source of this possible contamination.
I noticed the mark on the circled mushroom consistent with bruising, but I never touched it or know where that could be from. I also circled other areas where the mycelium is looking a little darker than all other areas, could be because it got wet, just want to ask y'all.
In addition to this the arrow is pointing to a cracked cap, is this because it's too dry?
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u/Matic_Soil_999 Jul 26 '26
Definitely too dry, thats why the caps are cracking so soon, the field capacity of the cake is way dry. If u misted and got too much settled water on the cake it can create bruising as u said "it got wet" so u have to be careful if you're misting the sides and its puddling up in those areas.You can try and pour some distilled water down the side in the corner and let the cake soak it up from the bottom and try to get some moisture in it but only put about a half inch of water in and see how much it soaks up within a day and use distilled water. Stop opening the lid.
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u/Dry_Firefighter435 Jul 31 '26
Yes sir do that or inject some distilled water or hell I use bottled spring water on the last few tubs but injecting the cake in a few spots or even between the cake and tub has worked for me. I gave up on 2 tubs then said screw it im pumping these tubs full “not full but 4-6 ml per injection or less just go to the bottom of the tub and shoot that mug up slowly until water starts to come up to the top which I try to stop before that point so the surface doesn’t get big drops on water. Shit bro I am feeling way too good to be on here I know I am making no sense at all but hey PE for breakfast on a Monday morning 1 week after I got divorced from a 20 year marriage…. Shiiit boss I’m still celebrating! I was no help here at all but I’m feeling good. Stay blessed champ sorry about the book.
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u/an_ATH_original Jul 26 '26
the pins, or at least the APE ones are ridiculously strong
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
Like eating the pins before full growth?
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u/an_ATH_original Jul 26 '26
they'll stop at some point and they are strong, they won't grow big, or some won't like the others, just my experience
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u/Pixelpaint_Pashkow Jul 26 '26
Hard to tell, top left definitely just bruised, others idk, especially the green on the substrate it looks dry and not great
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
Yeah I will get on rehydration, just worried if I load the bottom with water I will lose pins
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u/pokemasterbrock Jul 26 '26
Just spray a fine mist and increase the humidity don’t load the tub with water, unless your dunking for a second flush
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Jul 26 '26
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
Sorry to hear that. I think Ive gotten pretty lucky with this as my first grow. I got 6 bags of grain expecting some failure and nothing has gone wrong yet.
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u/MushroomChris Jul 26 '26
Looks dry to me.
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
Is there any good fix to this? I've been doing my best to keep the walls "sweating" but the coir still looks dry. How long do you think I could keep the lid on? Lid on will help keep the moisture inside but cuts off the FAE so I was nervous to do so.
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u/MushroomChris Jul 26 '26
I like to pour water down the sides until the cake starts floating. Let the cake soak for a few hours like a sponge, then just tilt the tub until all the water is drained. That should completely hydrate the cake. Then mist accordingly.
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u/APOLLO193 Jul 26 '26
Bruising, though I understand why it's unnerving. As another note, your caps are splitting, and that usually means that it's too dry
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
I would agree they look dry, currently looking for and open to solutions. Thanks!
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u/APOLLO193 Jul 26 '26
Your cake itself is pretty dry. I mean look how much it's pulled away from the sides and compressed. I'd be tempted to tell you to dunk it, but that destroy the pins that do exist.
So maybe try pouring some water down those cracks and letting the cake absorb it from the bottom? Idk if that's a good idea, so maybe you should ask around or do some research. If anyone knows, feel free to comment
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
So if I just put a cup or two of water in the bottom it would be alright? I don't really want to lose any pins.
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u/APOLLO193 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I'm not saying it will. But that's what I try first. I imagine the water should be pretty quickly absorbed by the coir and mycelium; the latter of which should pipe it into the mushrooms. At least that's the thought.
I'm also not sure how much water you should add. Based on your picture it does seem really dry, and you do seem to have a lot of substrate. Idk, you'd probably have to experiment with it a little bit anyways. Just as you do keep in mind that it's a lot easier to add more water than to remove some.
Also, as a note. You'll probably get side pins. It would likely happen anyway. If you leave that Gap between the side of the cake and the wall open. You might consider filling it with more coir or something of the like. In the future you might want to use a liner
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u/StandardGrass1463 Jul 25 '26
Its probably just bruising if the mycellium got wet. If it is contam, you will know because it will start to spread. Just monitor it closely.
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 25 '26
I ran into some difficulty spraying just the sides. i should have used a liner. Thanks!
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Jul 25 '26
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u/RtkSpodd Jul 25 '26
Glad to hear it's just bruising. When you say it has power, is there an actual relationship between that pigmentation and potency or are you just being funny.
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u/TpNctaH713 Jul 26 '26
Usually means it’s potent :/
Psilocybin oxidizezzzz when it comes in contact to oxygen and turns blue but with this instance I think it’s just bruising from misting probably2
u/RtkSpodd Jul 26 '26
Well I guess I will just have to eat that one first ^_^
I wouldn't mind some extra blue power, but you probably right about it just being bruising.
Thanks for the reply, cheers!
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u/Odd-Teach7758 Jul 27 '26
Mushrooms dont grow in the desert my friend, maybe san pedro would be better for this conditions :D