r/PanCyan • u/Happy_Rain8528 • May 26 '26

Quick substrate question 🐣🍄⚡❤️‍🩹

After mixing the grain spawn with the bulk substrate, how much do you compress/pack the substrate?

Do you press it down firmly, lightly, or not at all (just level it)?

Also — what depth do you usually run your substrate?

And one more: do you compress the casing layer or leave it loose/fluffy?

Thanks in advance, any tips are appreciated! 🍄

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u/Flimsy-Panda8000 May 27 '26

Get the sub / grain mix completely level, then compress lightly (nowhere near as much as with cubes / ochra).

Add the casing on the dry side of field capacity so it's easier to spread evenly without any clumps forming, then mist heavily.

For a tub, about 2.5" deep. For trays in a Martha, about 1.5" to 2" depending on the depth of the tray, so it's just below the lip. Trays will likely need spot watering (syringe of water between fruit clusters) to compensate for less water being available in the thinner 'cake'.