Description
Calcium Hydroxide Lime/ Hydrated Lime (Ca(OH)2) for substrate cold pasteurization technique mushroom growing
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 pasteurization for your substrate. That is because the Lime will change the PH of the medium drastically, leading to all contaminants dying.
Pasteurization 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 pasteurization.
With pasteurization, you dispose of a 2-week window before it is prone to contamination. Ensuring complete substrate colonization within 2 weeks will provide a robust defense 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 pasteurization.
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 vigor.
It is best to use a low nutritional substrate when using this method. It includes sugarcane mulch, straw, coco coir, vermiculite, etc.
Your purchase includes:
- 50gm or 300gm of Hydrated Lime (Ca(OH)2)
Specifications:
- Chemical Name: Calcium Dihydroxide
- Chemical Formula: Ca(OH)2
- Colour: White
- Appearance: Powder
- Odour: Odourless
- pH: 12.4 (saturated solution at 20ËšC)
- Purity: 95%
- Solubility: Soluble in water
- Other Names: Hydrated Lime, Slaked Lime, Pickling Lime
Instructions
Important:Â 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 Liters of water.
- For every liter of water, you would need 5 gms of Lime.
- Grain Spawn: We recommend inoculating with at least 25% grain spawn (1 part Grain spawn: 4 parts substrate). As a result, it will shorten colonization, 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 offer PH strips in our store.
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