HELP! First time grow - contamination?
First time growing. Bit of background.
Cubensis.
UK environment, where it's been pretty cold ambient temperature.
It's my first time doing anything with mushrooms. I followed some videos from RR which I purchased from recommendation on this site.
Built a SGFC and these are brown rice cakes for feedback.
I've got a little thermometer set up which is measuring the ambient humidity and temperature (not sure how accurate it is). It's typically sitting around 99% humidity and around 30degrees (fluctuating a little under or over depending on time of day).
Inside the SGFC I lined it with a baking sheet as when I filled it with rinsed perlite, quite a bit of excess water drained through the holes in the bottom of the SGFC. Somebody told me that the baking sheet would also need to be pierced in the same holes as it wouldn't allow adequate fresh air exchange, so I attempted to lift the tub, and pierce the holes.
Like an idiot, I was disturbed by a delivery guy at the front door, and managed to tip the tub, so my vermiculite covered cakes toppled over off their little aluminium foil circles and fell into the perlite. I then had to pick them back up and brush off as much perlite as I could.
I was wearing gloves, but they were not sterilised.
A couple of days later, these little tendrils of mycelium which had grown (the little spikes) which someone said is it reaching out for FAE, have started to appear green (hopefully you can see in the image).
I'm guessing I've screwed this up - but just wanted a second or third opinion on best way to proceed if anyone can help advise?
Thank you all for your time and wealth of knowledge on here.
Posted Sep 8, 2020, 3:31 PM UTC
it's hard to tell because the picture is blurry. Looks like it could be bruising. One thing I will say is that 30C is not really an ideal grow temp. 20-25C is a better range. 28C is the absolute MAX I would ever let my grow room get to, and I would cool it down to 25C. There is evidence to support growth rates falling off rapidly above 30C, and contamination really enjoys those hot temps. I've had success in temperatures as low as 16C, but 20-25C is the sweet spot.
If I was you, I would just let it ride ans see what happens. If it is contam, theres nothing you can do, if it isnt, messing with it will only cause problems. Just watch it and see what happens over the next few days.
Totally understood - and thank you for the information. I had no idea that it would be suitable to keep a lower temperature.
Which is great, as in the UK, the ambient temperature (normally is lower) and I was looking for sensible ways to keep the temp up in the SGFC without blasting my house heating on full blast 24/7.
Really helpful - thanks!
Re
No problem, my friend. Happy cultivating.
Honestly, I didn't want to be 'that guy' as a noob who is posting for help and advice. I genuinely thought I'd be able to read, apply what I'm learning and get along. Never realised just how many variables are involved. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and share your knowledge and positivity. Thank you, I'll keep going!
That's what im here for, the only reason I come to this subreddit anymore is to try and help out people like you where I can. I'm no expert, but I know some stuff. Anybody who gives you grief for being a "noob" doesn't belong here. Glad I could help you out.