The lime soak method relies on 4 key principles:
- Quality spawn
- using low magnesium hydrated lime – in South Africa marketed as “Water purifying lime”
- keeping the pH of the lime soak solution above 12 all through the soak period
- excellent fresh air exchange (FAE)
ensuring that you meet these criteria will ensure your success
Thak you Mr Niel,
I’m interested in commercial mushroom farming.
Pls where can i buy fresh spawn for experiment.
Substrate; Sawdust/Paper waste, What’s the mix ratio? Thank you.
Hi
We produce fresh spawn for commercial producers. For a sawdust/shredded paper mix I would recommend 90% sawdust and 10 % paper.
Struggling with weed I have used cotton husk substrate
Cotton hulls can be quite rich, you need to make sure that your substrate is sterilized.
Hi. Is wheat straw or sugar can waste(baggasse I think) better as a medium. Thanks
Hi
Wheat straw is better than bagasse.
Kind regards
Neil
Hi I’m interested in growing mushroom for commercial farming but i need training
Hi
I have emailed the workshop details to you.
Kind regards
Neil
Hi Neil
Do you have a general guideline in terms of amount of lime to soaked substrate?
I have come across reading material suggesting 1.4kg to 35kg dry substrate…PH 11 for 16-18hours.
I assume the higher(increasing alkalinity) the PH level the shorter the soak? Do you add lime over the soaking period to maintain the PH levels?
Kind regards
Janine(mushroom novice)
Dear Janine
You can soak whatever amount you can process, pH MUST be above 12 for 16-22 hours. You will need to monitor pH levels through the soak period and the soak period does not change according to pH levels.
Kind regards
Neil