omsource

that would be ace! I've tried to upload some photos but my jpegs won't post?

I can plate on the abalone you sent me in the next few, maybe if you come across the yellow oyster you can pass it on? OmSource

hey all, I'm pretty keen to brew some authentic root beer, just polished off a batch of alcoholic ginger beer and it was inspiringly tasty! After a bit of trolling around on the internet I've come to the understanding that sassafrass oil is used to brew root beer... Is this true, and if so is it the oil legal in Oz? I've been told it's scheduled as it's a carcinogen, but that doesn't make much sense, what isn't a carcinogen? Any infos from those in the know is always appreciated! OmSource

Just checking in with what all you mycophiles are using as fruiting chambers. I've tried the Martha but my cheap ass plastic greenhouse collapsed the first night and the ShotGun terrarium as well as a slight modification on it. Both times my oyster mushrooms don't get enough fresh air exchange and end up long and stringy, with no real caps....A common problem with oysters, especially the Phoenix species. At the moment I'm just fruiting them on the kitchen counter, they crop well the first few flushes and then stall out, I'm planning on dunking them after the second flush to get some moisture back into the substrate. What are you guys using as terrariums? OmSource

Ingenious! gotta love milk crates!

Haha, loaded it to the gills probably not wise when using a cheapo bunnings purchase

ah yep, overfilled that one and it bent to shit

Ahh the ShotGun terrarium is just too much work for me, what with the fanning and misting 6x plus a day. Tripsis whereabouts did you score your greenhouse? I love the Martha idea, tons of space and fully automated but I can't find a decent greenhouse for a reasonable price! I could build one but woods not the best material.

I've just started using the take away PP containers for my petri dishes as they're re-usable as well as recyclable in the end. I couldn't stand the amount of waste i was making throwing out the PS dishes! I've been noticing MUCH slower growth on the dishes compared to the PS petris. Do the people that use them snap the lids on fully or leave them to vent? any help would be muchly appreciated Thanks a bunch OmSource

yup, I'll definitely pass on the scissors

ahh triple post, double sorry on the triple post OmSource

double post sorry OmSource

Great point Tripsis! I've tried the "pour then sterilise" method and I've found that it creates way too much condensation, but also the cultures tend to contaminate on the outside lip, as the agar seeps out while sterilising. Just had that realisation this morning. How do you guys run a larger batch of empty PP take away containers? Do you seal them all individually and then PC them, or do the lids and the bottoms separately, or even leave the lids half on so that steam can penetrate into the containers? I quite liked your idea Tripsis where you did a large batch, poured them, sealed them and then had a stack for transfers whenever you needed them! Whats the process? OmSource

Snapping them on fully, just seems like they don't colonise the plate half as quick. I've got some cultures you sent through that I did half on the PS and half on the take aways and theres a huge difference in time. Still the re-usability and the fact that I'm not mowing through the cling wrap is good!

anyone else have any input? what unicorn bags do you guys use and why? Cheers

Hey all, Just got the little free sample pack from Unicorn Bags and was pretty confused by their filter patch explanation. There are a few different filters used for different end products but I'm still fairly confused... What unicorn bags do you use and why? Thanks!

no dice, just read the MSDS and it's definitely not good to ingest

Ahh $40++ for a bottle! pretty expensive stuff... Would isopropanol work for extraction purposes?

I've read that extraction before. What would the 190 proof alcohol be in Australia and how would you go about getting it. Seems like it would be good for maintaining cleanliness while doing in-vitro work too.

Hey Mycophiles, Thanks to a trade with Tripsis I've got some new interesting cultures. I intentionally plated on too many dishes as the slants where a bit on the old side, but everyone of them grew like mad! So.... I've gotta few extra plates that I won't be needing, they are definitely overgrown but will definitely plate without contaminating. First in get em, maybe only a couple each just to spread the love -3x C. militaris -1x G. Lucidium -3x G. Frondosa thai -1x G. resinaceum -3x G. Australe PM me with your address and what you're after and I'll post them off! OmSource

Found a great supply of ash sawdust but I can't seem to find any decent hardwood wood chips other than the eucalyptus mulch that's everywhere! Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the supplemented sawdust block using eucalyptus wood chips?

will do! I'll be knocking up the bags in a few days, I'll keep ya posted

Hey fellow myco-maniacs! Got out into the bush just out of Melbourne town yesterday, the ground was a bit too dry for some serious hunting but it was good to have a look around. wondering if anyone has any ID comments on these finds... Trametes Versicolour? Suillus luteus? Macrolepiota procera (this ones a total shot in the dark, I haven't even looked at the field guide yet...) Then we found these guys, possibly Trametes Versicolour though there wasn't much of a colour change.... my first thought was a Ganoderma of some sort? Lemme know what you think? OmSource

very exciting stuff! I'll be out that way next week so I'll pick em and spore print them and post some decent photos. Went out today and found nothing but Ganodermas, they where absolutely everywhere! now I just gotta learn how to Id the different species

ah, thanks for that tripsis, I'm just starting to get into the wildcrafting side of things... I reckon you're right on the slippery jack photos, must have got the shots mixed up when I posted them! The last mushroom was found in a pine forest, but I've seen a few similar in a eucalyptus stand. I didn't end up picking it but from memory I think it was approx 15cm tall, cap about 7-8cm in diameter.