Learn how to maintain your grow tent's humidification system for optimal mushroom cultivation! Cleaning and spore management are key for maximizing yields and preventing contamination. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qFVjHVy9Z-khttps://youtube.com/shorts/iZq0awKBpJg?si=9bpF1ZFDf42PPiat

# Welcome to Southwest Mushrooms Hey , I'm Michael Crowe, and I'm glad you're here. I've been growing mushrooms for years, and I started this community because I kept getting the same question after every YouTube video: "Where can I actually talk to other growers about this stuff?" So here we are. ## What This Community Is This is a place for mushroom growers at every level, from "I just bought my first bag of grain" to "I'm scaling to commercial production." You'll find: - Courses— structured lessons on cultivation fundamentals, built from my book The Mushroom Grower - Weekly posts — technique tips, troubleshooting threads, and member grow showcases - Direct access to me — I'm in here every day answering questions - Other growers who get it — share your wins, your failures, and your weird contamination photos ## How to Get Started 1. Introduce yourself — Drop a post in the "Introduce Yourself" section. Tell us what you're growing (or want to grow) and where you're at in your journey. 2. Start Course 1 — Head to the Classroom and begin "Mushroom Cultivation Foundations." Modules 1 and 2 are free previews. 3. Jump into the feed — Ask questions, share photos, help other growers. The more you put in, the more you get out. ## Community Guidelines Be helpful. We were all beginners once. If someone asks a question you know the answer to, share it. Share photos. A picture of your tub is worth a thousand words when troubleshooting. No spam or self-promotion. This isn't the place to sell your products. It's a place to learn and grow together. Ask anything. There are no stupid questions here. If you're unsure, ask. That's what we're here for. ## Quick Links - Shop: southwestmushrooms.com (https://southwestmushrooms.com) - YouTube: @SouthwestMushrooms (https://youtube.com/@SouthwestMushrooms) - Book Pre-Order: The Mushroom Grower (https://buy.southwestmushrooms.com/b/00w6oHgjW63O6MO0haejK02)

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can be useful in mushroom cultivation — but only in very specific, controlled applications. It is not a general-purpose sterilizer for colonized substrate. Used correctly, it can reduce contamination pressure and improve workflow hygiene. Below is a structured breakdown from a substrate and cultivation systems perspective. 1️⃣ How H₂O₂ Works in Mycology Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into: H₂O₂ → H₂O + O₂ (water + oxygen) It kills or damages: - Bacteria - Many mold spores - Yeasts However: - Actively growing mushroom mycelium produces catalase, which breaks down peroxide. - Spores do NOT have strong catalase protection → vulnerable. - Dormant contaminants are more sensitive than established mycelium. This is why timing matters. 2️⃣ Practical Uses in Cultivation A) Surface & Equipment Sanitation Best use case. 3% H₂O₂ (standard pharmacy solution) can be used to: - Wipe tools - Clean work surfaces - Treat gloves during sterile work - Mist inside still air boxes ✔ Leaves no residue✔ Breaks down naturally✔ Mild compared to bleach B) Spore Germination Work (Agar Use) Low concentrations (0.1–0.3%) can be added to agar media to: - Suppress bacterial contamination - Allow mushroom spores to germinate - Improve success rate when working non-sterile ⚠️ Only useful at inoculation stage — once contaminants establish, peroxide won’t fix it. C) Soaking Fresh Substrates (Limited Use) Sometimes used in: - Straw pasteurization assistance - Short soak treatments to reduce surface mold spores Typical approach: - 0.1–0.3% final concentration - 30–60 minute exposure However: 🚫 It does NOT replace proper pasteurization🚫 It does NOT penetrate dense substrates🚫 It breaks down quickly in organic matter D) Treating Casing Layers Very dilute solution (0.1–0.2%) may: - Reduce surface mold on casing - Lower bacterial blotch risk But: - Overuse damages hyphae tips - Repeated application reduces pinning potential

Tomorrow is gonna be cool. Can’t wait to hear from Michael and see everyone on the call.

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