big news, big push

Today, we not only met up with local mycologists at the lab, but another experimental batch of biomaterial forms was begun - not just hearts, but flowers =) - with liquid Fomes fomentarius cultures as inocula!

Additionally, we got a couple of extra weeks to get this project funded!

Please, everyone, share this with your friends, in order to support our efforts to scale this work in a way that will make the most impact!

This last Wednesday the open night was great, talking about the metagenomics, and next week will be more around the BeeMoS integration. Now, however, mycelia growth is our current topic.

 

Causes of ring formation remain unclear (see also the wiki, but light alone doesn't explain it all!)

For wooden pegs, as shown briefly in our new video, the Fomitopsis betulina is looking great, but it is not as thick as Fomes fomentarius on plates, shown above. This is also the one shown to protect bees.

Biomaterial projects were some of the earliest at Hackuarium, so it is really fun to break the mold (lol) and just try out something - like moss as a substrate. It worked for our shiitakes, already, at least.

 

Yesterday, prior to sterilisation: from left, moss, moss/chips, wood chips

It is predicted that our shiitake mycelia would hate these wood chips, with a clear piney smell, but we will see what Fomes fomentarius makes of them. Shiitake liked the moss, somehow, but again, we will see how it all goes in the next few weeks...

 

The liquid cultures used... How fast the new plate grows out will also be of great interest...

Below is post inoculation for the 'flower' shapes. These food-grade red silicon forms are also great for muffins. =P

 

Inoculated - left sides with the ordinary liquid culture, and the right with extra minerals

 

The discussion was very interesting... Swiss mycological societies abound!

 

Yngvar showing off his bentolab, which he brought to Italy already last year.

 

in the hood...