Rehydration Guidelines: 2.2 times the pellets weight in water, e.g. 500g pellets to 1100 ml of water.
You can add 2% Hydrated Lime per litre of water to raise the PH and limit any substrate contamination to the rehydration water. (Always add hydrated lime to water, if you add water to the hydrated lime it will cause a dangerous chemical reaction, resulting in possible chemical burns.)
Spawning or Inoculation Rate: 250g to 500g of grain spawn per 1kg of dry pellets (the more spawn used, the quicker colonisation will be and there will be less chance of contamination). For Oyster mushrooms (except King Oyster) use 200-250g of spawn per kg of dry pellets. Shiitake and King Oyster use 350-500g of spawn
Inoculation: The most effective way to inoculate the pellets is to evenly distribute and mix the spawn with the dry pellets.
- Solid containers (tubs and buckets): mix and re-hydration can be done in the container without the need to transfer.
- Bags: mix and re-hydrate in a pre-cleaned container and then transfer to the bag once re-hydration is complete.
Re-hydrate as follows: slowly pour 1/2 of the required water, allow to stand for 20 minutes, then slowly pour the rest of the water.
The advantage of this ‘no-mix’ method is that the mycelium will get a head start on any germinating mold spores leading to less chance of contamination.
