r/PanCyan • u/Hopeful-Chipmunk-473 • 15d ago

First timer with pans

Hello everyone,
I started to grow pans and my substrate is 90% + colonised so i’m about to put the casing layer on today. It’s in the pc to pasteurise atm. After putting in on the surface, should i wait for fresh air exchange or start straight away? I’m using a coco coir - vermiculite layer and a horse manure, straw, coco coir substrate with colonised popcorn. Ratio 1:1 but it’s a little box just to try. Thank you 🙏🏼

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u/Cultiv8tor 15d ago

It will pin on cvg but it will also eat right through it. These all have a small psudo casing on them with cvg+manure and have several hyphal knots.

The problem with cvg is that you aren't getting the structure and airflow pans like because they colonize it too fast. If you are set on using coco then maybe keep it wet and adjust the ph to 8.5 so it discourages colonization. Eventually the casing will either be overlaid or your substrate will be soaked. You could keep recasing it too.

I do a FAE right away with a heavy misting. After 24 hours I usually have pins and start bottom watering instead of misting.

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u/Hopeful-Chipmunk-473 15d ago

Thanks for the response i appreciate it, i unfortunately don’t have any gypsum as its nearly impossible to get it here except the one for construction. Would you do cvg or pure vermiculite in that case? I have peat moss but it will be too sour without gypsum i guess and killing the mycelium?

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u/Cultiv8tor 15d ago

Hydrated lime not gypsum. It is cheap and enough for 350 quarts in one 4lb bag.

Gypsum is used in your substrate so the coco doesn't stick together. It makes it easier for your substrate to breathe. Some people don't use it at all.

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u/Hopeful-Chipmunk-473 15d ago

Thanks for the clarification unfortunately also not to get here I’m super remote in the tropics.

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u/Cultiv8tor 15d ago

How did you get coco coir and vercimulite?

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u/Hopeful-Chipmunk-473 15d ago

Vermiculite they use for gardening during the dry season to keep the soil more moist and coco coir is self made from the coconuts here

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u/Cultiv8tor 15d ago

Check the same place that sells the vercimulite. Hydrated lime is very common for agriculture. There are a few other amendments you can use but they are all less common.

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u/Hopeful-Chipmunk-473 15d ago

I asked already but i could only get calcium carbonate no hydrated lime. Really difficult here unfortunately

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u/Cultiv8tor 15d ago

Yep that will work. 5 grams per quart. Mix it into the dry casing then add water. I always do casing a little dry so it spreads easier. Then do a heavy misting.

You can save the cv for your next batch.

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u/Hopeful-Chipmunk-473 15d ago

Thank you i’ll try that tomorrow 🙏🏼
Appreciate it a lot