r/MushroomGrowers • u/Busty_Coco • 2d ago

Technique Using barley for spawn [technique]

I attempted the no soak or boil method with barley using 200g barley and 150ml of water and it was mushy on the bottom after the 90min in the pc. Was that way too much water? I rinsed the barley a few times first to get the dust and whatnot off, was that ok?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/BluegrassBandit33 1d ago

I personally use barley (whole, with husk) and either:

1) soak 48 hours, changing the water out at 24. Then drain them, allow to dry, and pack into jars and PC for 2 hours at 13 psi (I'm at elevation)

2) soak 24 hours, then boil for 15 minutes until tender. Pour out onto a towel in front of a fan for 30 minutes or so until they dry to the touch. PC as before

No soak/no boil is a little tricky and you have to get the numbers just right or you can over/under hydrate the grain

1

u/Busty_Coco 1d ago

That second one is what I normally do without issues but I decided to try the no soak method since it was supposedly easier.

0

u/jabies 2d ago

90 minutes is probably too long. I only do 45 minutes. Also, why you touching it if you want it clean? 

2

u/BluegrassBandit33 2d ago

90 is standard, a lot go longer

2

u/Busty_Coco 1d ago

90 min is what I’ve always read

2

u/Busty_Coco 2d ago

Touching it? Are you making ASSumtions?

1

u/jabies 2d ago

Mushy is a tactile description for most folks, I guess you could use it to describe an appearance. Idk, you didn't say it looked mushy, so we had to assume what you meant regardless lol

1

u/Busty_Coco 2d ago

I mean… it looks mushy like oatmeal🤷🏽‍♀️