Description
Calcium Hydroxide Lime/ Hydrated Lime (Ca(OH)2) for substrate cold pasteurisation technique mushroom growing
Use:Use only for pasteurisation of Substrate to grow mushrooms.
This product is Naturally High in Calcium and low in Magnesium. It is also called Calcium Hydroxide, Slaked Lime, and Builder’s Lime. Its chemical formula is Ca(OH)2. This hydrated Lime is perfect for cold water pasteurisation for your substrate. That is because the Lime will change the PH of the medium drastically, leading to all contaminants dying.
Pasteurisation only kills living organisms, not their spores, so we recommend using boiling water instead of cold water with this technique. This method is called super pasteurisation.
With pasteurisation, you dispose of a 2-week window before it is prone to contamination. Ensuring complete substrate colonisation within 2 weeks will provide a robust defence mechanism for the mycelium before contaminants start to sporulate. For instance, we recommend a higher grain-to-substrate ratio with this technique. Typically, you would only be required to add 5-10% spawn to your substrate. However, we recommend a 20-25% minimum spawn ratio when using pasteurisation.
The key feature of this product is that it removes the autoclave/pressure cooker process when growing mushrooms. Moreover, it will add much-needed calcium to the mycelium, enhancing the speed of growth and vigour.
It is best to use a low nutritional substrate when using this method. It includes sugarcane mulch, straw, coco coir, vermiculite, etc.
Specifications:
- Chemical Name: Calcium Dihydroxide
- Chemical Formula: Ca(OH)2
- Colour: White
- Appearance: Powder
- Odour: Odourless
- pH: 12.4 (saturated solution at 20หC)
- Purity: 95%
- Solubility: Soluble in water
- Other Names: Hydrated Lime, Slaked Lime, Pickling Lime
Instructions
Important:ย Use proper protective equipment such as a mask, gloves, and eye protection.
- Soak your substrate for 3-12 hours in cold water/ hot water treated with Hydrated Lime.
- Drain water and inoculate with your mushroom grain spawn.
Ratios:
Using the amount of water specified is recommended so you do not have to drain any excess water.
- For every 1 Kg of straw, you may need 4 Litres of water.
- For every litre of water, you would need 5 gms of Lime.
- Grain Spawn: We recommend inoculating with at least 25% grain spawn (1 partย Grain spawn: 4 parts substrate). As a result, it will shorten colonisation, reducing the chances for other contaminants to grow and thrive.
If you intend to measure the PH levels on your substrate after adding Lime, we offerย PH stripsย in our store.
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