To make brown rice flour (BRF) substrate, you'll need vermiculite, brown rice flour, and water, mixed in a specific ratio.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
Materials:
- Vermiculite (a hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate mineral)
- Brown Rice Flour (BRF)
- Purified Water
Ratio:
The ideal ratio by dry volume is approximately:
- 2 parts Vermiculite
- 1 part Brown Rice Flour
- ~1 part Purified Water (or enough to reach field capacity)
Instructions:
- Gather your materials: Ensure you have all necessary components.
- Mix the dry ingredients: Thoroughly combine the vermiculite and brown rice flour in a mixing container.
- Add water gradually: Slowly add purified water to the dry mixture. Mix continuously to ensure even distribution.
- Achieve field capacity: The substrate should be moist but not waterlogged. Squeeze a handful; you should only be able to get a few drops of water out. This is known as reaching "field capacity."
- Jar preparation: Fill your jars or containers with the prepared BRF substrate. Leave about half an inch of space at the top.
- Sterilization: Sterilize the jars in a pressure cooker at 15 PSI for 90 minutes. This eliminates competing organisms.
- Cooling: Allow the jars to cool completely before inoculating. This usually takes 12-24 hours.
Important Considerations:
- Hygiene: Maintain a clean work environment throughout the process to minimize contamination risk.
- Sterility: Proper sterilization is crucial for successful cultivation.
- Water Quality: Using purified water helps avoid introducing contaminants.
- Vermiculite Grade: Use a fine to medium grade vermiculite for best results.
