Ella Walter
Pan cyans are a type of mushroom that can be grown using various methods and materials. While horse dung is often recommended as a spawn medium, it is not always easily accessible and may contribute to an unpleasant smell. To avoid this issue, alternative methods can be employed, such as using straw, coir, or other grain-based substrates. In this paragraph, we will explore the different approaches to growing pan cyans without the odour associated with traditional manure-based techniques.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Vermiculite, manure, brown rice flour, water, straw, wood chips/shavings, sawdust, coir, compost, pasteurized wheat straw, rice, oats, moss peat/limestone powder, BRF, millet, worm castings, agar, rye grass seed, perlite |
| Temperature | 70-75F (older sources); 93F daytime high in the tropics; substrate temps of 95-96F; low of 70-75F |
| Casing | Not required, but some growers recommend a thin layer of composted manure, moss peat/limestone powder, or vermiculite |
| Misting | Required |
| Light | Required |
| Yield | Lower than P. cubensis |
| Potency | Higher than cubes/P. cubensis |
| Contamination | Prone to contamination; must filter all air that comes into contact with the pan cyan |
| Pasteurization | Recommended for dung or compost |
| Shaking | Not recommended due to fragile mycelium |
| Storage | Properly aged and pasteurized manure should not smell |
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What You'll Learn
Pasteurizing dung or compost
When growing pan cyans, it is important to pasteurize your dung or compost. This process will eliminate any unwanted microorganisms that could kill the spores and mitigate any strong odours.
To pasteurize your dung or compost, start by collecting a bucket of dung and covering it with a gallon of purified water or more. Let the mixture sit for a day to soften. Next, pasteurize the dung or compost. You can do this by boiling it or pressure cooking it. After pasteurization, the manure may have a slight ammonia smell, but this should be minimal and not overwhelming. If it smells extremely bad, it is not suitable for use.
Once the pasteurization process is complete, you can proceed to the next steps of preparing your growing trays. Cover your trays and let them sit for a couple of days. Check for mycelium growth. If you see mycelium, case your trays with a thin layer of the same dung or compost, about a 1/4-inch thick. Give the trays a good misting and provide them with light.
Some sources recommend using aged dung or compost, as it tends to have less smell. You can collect aged dung from farms with straw or grain-fed animals. Avoid fresh dung, as it tends to have too many microorganisms and can emit a strong odour.
By following these steps and properly pasteurizing your dung or compost, you can effectively minimize any unpleasant smells associated with growing pan cyans.
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Using straw or sawdust
To prepare the straw, pasteurize it and let it stand in the bag for a day or so before pasteurizing it again. This process will eliminate any mold as the spores that hatch during the first pasteurization will die in the second one. The straw should then be mixed with spawn and cased with a thin layer for the pan cyans. The mixture requires lots of air exchange per day, so it is recommended to keep the terrarium ventilated or open for air exchange around five times a day.
Some growers have also had success using a mixture of straw, hay, and worm castings. This mixture grew quickly, taking only nine days to colonize 3/4 liters of spawn. Additionally, some growers have experimented with fermenting straw with hay for a few days before pasteurizing it.
Sawdust is another alternative to manure when growing pan cyans. It is important to note that pan cyans are wood lovers, so using a wood-based substrate like sawdust may be more suitable than straw or manure. However, there is limited information available on the specific use of sawdust as a substrate for growing pan cyans without smell.
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Rice/manure substrate
To grow pan cyans without the smell, one can use a rice/manure substrate. This method involves using a mixture of rice flour and manure as the growing medium for the mushrooms. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare the Substrate
Start by preparing the substrate mixture. The basic recipe for the substrate is 5 cups of vermiculite, 3 cups of manure, 10 tablespoons of brown rice flour, and 2 cups of water. Mix these ingredients together in a large container until they are well combined. This recipe will yield enough substrate to fill 10-12 half-pint jars.
Step 2: Sterilize the Substrate
Before using the substrate, it is important to sterilize it to prevent contamination. This can be done by boiling or pressure cooking the substrate in jars. Make sure to follow standard sterilization procedures to ensure that your substrate is free of any contaminants.
Step 3: Inoculate the Substrate
Once your substrate has been sterilized, it's time to inoculate it with the mushroom spores. This can be done using a spore syringe or by adding a spore print to the substrate. Follow standard inoculation procedures for mushroom cultivation.
Step 4: Incubate the Substrate
After inoculation, place the jars in an incubator or a warm, humid environment to encourage the growth of the pan cyans. Maintain the temperature and humidity levels recommended for this species of mushrooms.
Step 5: Prepare the Casing Layer (Optional)
While casing is not required for pan cyans, some growers choose to add a thin layer of casing to their substrate. You can use composted manure or a 50/50 mix of manure and another material such as vermiculite or soil. Apply a thin layer of casing, just enough to fill in the cracks and create a smooth surface.
Step 6: Maintain Humidity and Misting
Pan cyans require high humidity during their growth. Mist the substrate and casing layer regularly to keep them moist. This will help the mushrooms grow and develop properly.
Step 7: Harvesting
With proper care and maintenance, your pan cyans will start to fruit and grow. Monitor their development and harvest them at the appropriate time. Remember to handle the mushrooms with care to ensure their potency and quality.
Using a rice/manure substrate is a viable method for growing pan cyans without the strong smell associated with other cultivation techniques. Remember to source your manure responsibly and ensure it is aged and pasteurized to reduce any potential odour. Always follow safety guidelines and local regulations when working with mushrooms and substrates.
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Casing with composted manure
When using composted manure, it is important to ensure that it is properly aged and pasteurized to minimize any potential smell. Aged manure will have a dry, odorless appearance, while fresh manure can be identified by its sticky texture and strong odour. Properly prepared manure should not have any noticeable smell.
To pasteurize manure, it can be boiled or pressure-cooked, which will eliminate any unwanted odours. After pasteurization, the manure should be allowed to cool before handling.
Some growers recommend using a 50/50 casing mix, which can be created by mixing composted manure with other materials such as vermiculite, straw, or coir. This mixture can then be sliced or crumbled over a moist layer of vermiculite.
It is worth noting that pans are considered "dung lovers," and manure can provide additional nutrients that support their growth. However, it is possible to grow pan cyans without manure by using alternative substrates such as straw, sawdust, wood chips, or coir.
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Using jars of vermiculite
To grow pan cyans without the smell, you can use jars of vermiculite. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Preparing the Jars
Start by preparing your jars of vermiculite. Sterilize your jars by boiling them or using a pressure cooker. The size of the jar may vary depending on your preference, but half-pint jars are commonly used. Ensure the jars are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to prevent any contamination.
Inoculating the Substrate
After sterilizing the jars, it's time to inoculate them with the substrate. The substrate recipe for Pan Cyans is typically a mixture of vermiculite, ground brown rice or birdseed, and water. A common ratio is 3:5, with three parts ground brown rice or birdseed to five parts vermiculite. Mix this substrate thoroughly with water to create a moist but not soggy consistency.
Colonization
Once your substrate is inoculated, it's time to wait for colonization. Place the inoculated substrate back into the jars and maintain optimal conditions for mycelium growth. This process may take some time, so be patient and regularly check on your jars to ensure no contamination occurs.
Casing (Optional)
When your jars are fully colonized, you have the option to case them with a thin layer of composted manure or other casing material. This step is not mandatory, but some growers prefer it. If you choose to case, use a thin layer of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. You can also mix the casing material with the vermiculite to create a 50/50 casing mix.
Slicing and Crumbling the Substrate
After colonization and optional casing, it's time to slice or crumble the substrate over a moist layer of vermiculite. This step helps promote the growth of Pan Cyans. Carefully slice or crumble the substrate, ensuring an even distribution over the vermiculite.
Fruiting
Maintain optimal temperature conditions for fruiting, typically around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. With proper care and patience, your Pan Cyans will start to fruit within a few weeks. Remember that this species of mushroom can be challenging to grow, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't yield high results.
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Frequently asked questions
Properly aged and pasteurized manure should not smell at all. However, if you want to avoid using manure altogether, you can try using straw, coir, or wood chips/shavings as alternative growing mediums.
A typical substrate recipe for growing pan cyans is 5 cups of vermiculite, 3 cups of manure, 10 tablespoons of brown rice flour, and 2 cups of water. This will make 10-12 half-pint jars of substrate.
Casing is not required when growing pan cyans, but it can help fill in cracks and create a nice even layer. If you do use a casing, a thin layer of composted manure or a 50/50 casing mix is recommended.
Pan cyans grow well at daytime temperatures of up to 93°F, with substrate temperatures of 95-96°F, and a low of 70-75°F. They prefer higher temperatures and humidity levels than P. cubensis, and they grow faster with more FAE (fresh air exchange).
There are various techniques and guides available online, such as the Baba Yagas Mono tek and Tub tek, which do not require a complex setup. You can also refer to guides like "The Cultivation of Copelandia Cyanescens" for detailed information on growing pan cyans.
