What are the stages of PF Tek cultivation?

The PF Tek stages are: inoculation (inject spores into prepared BRF jars), colonization (mycelium spreads through substrate, 2–4 weeks), birthing (remove colonized cakes from jars), dunking and rolling (rehydrate cakes in water then coat in dry vermiculite), and fruiting (place cakes in a humid chamber until mushrooms grow).

How do I know when a PF Tek jar is fully colonized?

A fully colonized PF Tek jar shows dense white mycelium covering the entire surface and interior of the substrate with no visible uncolonized brown areas. You may also see consolidation — a slightly darker, firmer appearance — and sometimes blue bruising from pressure. Wait an extra week after apparent full colonization for best results.

What does healthy mycelium look like in a PF Tek jar?

Healthy mycelium appears bright white, fluffy or rope-like (rhizomorphic), and grows evenly outward from the inoculation point. It has no unusual colours. Green, black, pink, or yellow patches indicate contamination. A faint blue colour from bruising is normal and not contamination.

PF Tek Timeline: Week by Week

Day 0

Inoculation Day

You have just injected spores into your jars. The substrate looks like damp sand/vermiculite.

[Photo: Freshly inoculated jars with foil on top]

Action: Place jars in a dark, warm spot (75°F / 24°C). Do not peek for 3 days!

Week 1 (Day 3-7)

Germination

You should see the first signs of life! Tiny white fuzzy spots appearing near the injection sites.

[Photo: Small white mycelium spots appearing]

Note: If you see green, pink, or black spots, the jar is contaminated. Throw it out.

Week 2-3

Colonization

The white mycelium spreads rapidly, connecting the injection points. The jar becomes mostly white.

[Photo: Jar 70-80% covered in white mycelium]

Action: Keep temps steady. Do not shake PF Tek jars (the dry verm layer will mix and contaminate).

Week 4

100% + Consolidation

The jar looks completely white. But wait! The center might still be uncolonized.

[Photo: Fully white jar]

Critical Step: Wait 1 full week AFTER the outside looks 100% white. This is called "consolidation".

Week 5 (Day 30-35)

Birthing & Dunking

Time to birth the cakes! You remove them from jars, soak them in water for 24 hours, and roll in dry vermiculite.

[Photo: Cake being dunked in water bowl]

Action: Place into your Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC).

Week 6 (Day 40+)

Pinning

Tiny mushroom heads ("pins") appear. They look like small bumps.

[Photo: Cake with tiny mushroom pins]

Action: Keep humidity high. Mist and fan 3-4 times a day.

Week 6.5 (Day 45+)

Harvest!

Pins grow into full mushrooms very fast (2-4 days). Harvest just as the veil breaks.

[Photo: Mature mushrooms ready for harvest]

Next: Re-dunk the cake for 12 hours to start the second flush (crop).

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