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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Thursday, March 23, 2023

5th North American Mushroom Conference Pieter J.C. Vedder FROM CASE HOLD TO FIRST BREAK

 On March 10, 1985 after getting back from Tijuana, México we got ready for the reception of the 5th North American Mushroom Conference in San Diego, California
See below post about previous posts.
Reception where we met Pieter's Campbell Soup colleague Aron Kinrus (l) and his wife Shyfra (r).
The couple where both of us stayed for a couple of weeks before our Exodus from Pennsylvania, USA...
See post below.
Aron took this picture from the three of us...
On March 12 lectures about CROP MANAGEMENT
Pieter presented at 11:10 till 11:30—CROP MANAGEMENT FROM CASE HOLD TO FIRST BREAK
Pieter did very well and got lots of applaus and there were many in the audience.
Pieter to the left before being introduced as the next speaker by Jim Yeatman.
Jim Yeatman did visit us in Dublin, Georgia on August 10 the next year, with someone from South Africa, see post below.
Always a very interesting schedule...
On March 12 we woud end the day with DINNER AND DANCE in the Grand Ballroom
SPEAKERS & PARTICIPANTS
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Feeling relaxed after Pieter's presentation and enjoying the Dinner–Dance
Lots of glare and even Pieter's suit got totally affected...
Again lots of glare...
But Pieter sure felt happy and relaxed after having given his presentation in the morning...
Grateful to Chairman Geoff Price for providing us with this Mushroom News September 1985 publication!
Thank you letter to Pieter:
Your presentation, "Crop Management From Case Hold to First Break," was well received and certainly contributed to the success of the conference. Your personal time and effort in preparing your talk were evident and appreciated by the committee.
Again, thank you for your contribution.
Sincerely,
Edward A. Leo
Vice Chairman, 5th NAMC
~
Casing to First Break
Pieter J.C. Vedder, Camsco (Campbell Soup) Produce Co., Dudley, Georgia
Presented at the 5th N.A.M.C. in San Diego.
In a short time I just can give you some ideas about what I think is important to reach the goal (not an easy goal) of a high yield with a good quality. Whatever growing system you have, what we all need first at the moment of casing is a good full grown compost with a moisture content of 63–66%, a pH of around 6.5 and a total nitrogen of let's say 2.2%. Because of the variation in ash content we maybe better talk about a C/N ratio of about 16 at spawning.
The plastic which was protecting the surface of the compost during spawn run from drying out and from contamination, has to be removed one or two days prior to casing to give the condensation water the opportunity to disappear.
Green molds on the surface are a sign that the compost is not selective enough, they show us that there are more easily degradable carbohydrates available because of an improper Phase I and/or Phase II, or we brought them in with the spawn grains or supplement. For that reason I don't like a heavy surface spawning; that means more as 10%. In spite of the development of different so–called slow release supplements, I prefer supplementing at spawning (if possible, of course). It is also much easier to manage the compost temperature if there is a wet casing layer on top, because we can create evaporation, which means cooling. We know that the best protection against competitor molds is a strong antagonism, buit up by the mushroom mycelium during a vigorous spawn run. I suppose that for the same reason we will have less problems with nematodes, molds, etc. and the yield will be higher after a 14 day spawn run as compared with e.g. 10 or 11 days.
I prefer a not too fluffy, somewhat heavy, casing material with a certain "body," because that has, in my opinion, a positive effect on the quality of the mushrooms. Very important also is that the material has a good water holding capacity. A mixture of not too fine peat moss and e.g. 20–25% spent lime, a by–product of the sugar industry, gives nice casing material. We prefer a pH in the 7.2–7.3 range for our casing material. It is much easier to maintain the right, high moisture content if the casing layer has a depth of at least 1 ½ inch (3.8 cm) or even better 1 ¾ of an inch (4.5 cm).
To produce a good quality mushroom with a better shelf life and also to avoid blotch, etc., we don't like to water the beds for a certain period of time prior to harvesting. That means that we need a moisture reserve in the casing layer, especially for a heavy first break. Growers often talk about the need for material with a better water holding capacity. The easiest way to increase the water holding capacity is to make the casing layer somewhat thicker. (This will change maybe with the new synthetic polymers recently available on the market).
Although it is known that the mushrooms take most of the water out of the compost, a firm casing layer with a good water holding capacity is very important.

In my opinion, in most of the cases the disadvantages of steaming the casing material are still bigger than the advantages. Steaming makes the casing material more sensitive for a new contamination; is affecting the water holding capacity and structure negatively and cost a lot of money on top of that. If the casing material is heavily contaminated with bubble, nematodes, or something like that, we should search for another source or revise the farm hygiene. With a good sanitation program and a vigorous spawn run there is most times no need for this costly technique.
The consequence of filling the trays or beds with fully grown compost or supplementing at casing is that we disturb and damage the mycelium in the compost. We have to give the mycelium some time to recover and re–colonize the compost surface, so better we don't water heavily just after casing. I prefer therefore a casing material with a moisture content of at east 75% or even more. (Of course if we are able to handle such a wet material).
The objective for the first couple of days after casing is to get a good inter–connecting mycelial growth between the compost and casing. As long as the casing material is not really saturated we have to water the beds several times in the days after casing. It is very important however that excessive water is not added which will run through the casing and rest on top of the compost, thereby causing a delay in mycelial growth and creating a somewhat greasy layer ideal for e.g. nematodes. This is possibly the main reason for a well wetted material at the time of application to the beds.
A somewhat sealed surface the first week after casing seems to be preferable. A high level of metabolics, produced by the growing mycelium, seems to stimulate the micro–organisms in the casing layer, which have a positive effect on fructification. After casing, we should manage the air temperature that way that the main part of the compost and casing material is in the 76–80°F (24.4–26.6°C) area. For the vegetative stage, we prefer a high relative humidity and also a high carbon dioxide concentration; high means above 3000–4000 PPM or even higher. Ventilation, that means supplying fresh air, is therefore only necessary if the compost temperature is rising too high. 
This sometimes creates a problem. If the temperature, for whatever reason, is rising too high 6–7 days after casing, one has to open the vents to bring the bed temperature in line. This however often is initiating fructification rather deep in the casing layer. If we flush again, then we initiate a second layer of pins over the deeper formed first layer, thus the so–called double pinning. To avoid this problem we should have the opportunity for internal cooling without using fresh air. What we can do if we do not have that possibility is cool down the beds till e.g. 70°F (21°C) at day 5–6 so that we have some extra time to keep the room closed prior to flushing.
Very important in relation to this problem is a good selective compost and spawn run of at least 14–15 days. For this reason, it possibly will be better to stay away from supplementing during the summer. High temperature spots are normally not the result of the growth of the mushroom mycelium but are most times showing the activity of competitor molds, indicating a lack of selectivity as the result of an improper Phase I and Phase II.
We all are looking for a good first break, say around 2.5–3.0 lbs per square foot, and at the same time, a good quality mushroom.  You can only have this if the mushrooms are spread very even over the bed surface; no clumps, or heavy clusters and no bare spots. With traditional casing methods, the arrival of the mycelium at the surface 6–7 days after casing tends to be uneven, and a compromise between advanced and backward parts must be reached. Shallow patches will show mycelium at the surface well in advance of deep areas.
In relation to this problem, we have good experience with the deep scratching or ruffling technique. As soon as the mycelium has developed about three quarters of the way into the casing layer, which is most times the case 5–7 days after casing, we mix in the mycelium and by doing so, simultaneously break up the surface compaction. An equal distribution of mycelium throughout the casing layer ensures that all mycelium at the bed surface is at the same stage of development. As a result, competition among mushroom initials is equalized, allowing even development without clumping or under pinning.
We have to realize that deep scratching or ruffling cannot compensate for an uneven compost and/or casing layer. Lack of evenness at the bed surface is most times created at filling or spawning. Patching or dust–covering is in my opinion not a good solution for this problem.
The modern shelf beds with metal side boards give of course the best opportunity for leveling and deep scratching and as the result of that, an even break. Even watering can be mechanized then.
After scratching, we have to give the mycelium the opportunity to restore and come up to the surface of the casing layer. To reach that goal, we maintain the optimum climate for the vegetative growth, so high CO₂ level, high relative humidity, and temperature in the mid 70's (24°C) for another 24 or more hours.
Fructification is the result of a combination of different factors as there are; temperature, CO₂–concentration, relative humidity (that means evaporation rate), micro–organisms, etc.

To ensure the occurrence of clean mushrooms, initiating of fruit bodies should occur on or near the surface of the casing layer. The flushing technique depends not only on the strain, but also on the ability to control the environment. With the strain we grow, we prefer a somewhat soft flush.
We don't like over pinning, 66 pieces per pound instead of 30, but on the other hand, to get the necessary quantity in the first break, let's say between 2.5 and 3.0 lbs., we need a certain number of fruit bodies. As a rule of thumb, we can say that lower temperatures and lower CO₂ concentrations give more fruit bodies. Stroma is most times the result of high CO₂ concentrations, high relative humidity, and too late flushing.


Related links:
Part III - Highveld Mushrooms in Bryanston, South Africa | previous post by me with photo of Jim Yeatman visiting us at our home...

32 comments:

  1. Still always amazed at all the memorabilia you have collected over the years and are able to document and share in such detail. Hope you are continuing to heal from your accident. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tammy,
      We sure are grateful to American Mushroom Institute's Chair: Geoff Price—who provided us with this Mushroom News September 1985 publication! Having our worldwide network of mushroom related friends is so helpful! We know him from Australia and also his Parents! He also visited the company we worked for in Indonesia. Then he came to work here in the USA.
      Thank you and yes, making slow progress and looking forward to being pain free and mobile and above all biking again!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. I am sure that there is no one who understands more about mushrooms than Pieter, and therefore you, dear Mariette.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Christina,
      Guess you are so right in that as my Pieter had a tremendous passion for his work and for people to pass his expertise on to them in an understandable manner. I've learned so much from my greatest mentor ever!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Che ricordi!Buona giornata,un abbraccio!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cara Olga,
      Grazie e sono bei ricordi per nosotros.
      Abbracci,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Congratulations to Pieter and you on your achievements.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Victor,
      Thank you and yes such were honorable achievements and I'm proud of my Pieter!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. And the long list of accolades for Pieter continue!
    Blessings, Mariette!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Martha Jane,
      They sure do and so happy we got the memories of such!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Se palpa, vuestra felicidad, en estas fotografías.
    Feliz fin de semana. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Querida Antónia,
      Gracias y es exactamente por eso que esas fotos significan tanto para los dos...
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. I am glad you are feeling better! Have you read the book Pachinko by Min Jin Lee! This is waht I am currently reading. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kelleyn,
      Thank you and no I have not read this excellent book with so many great editorial reviews! Have added it to my list—if I ever manage to read through my huge book library here at home.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Pieter's and your knowledge of mushrooms is unsurpassed.
    Hats off to you both!

    Hugs and blessings, dearest Mariette.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Veronica,
      Thank you and yes, Pieter was absolutely the very best with his practical knowledge and ability to explain the how and why to others.
      Several have tried to copy from him—plagiarizing but they will get stuck in not being able to explain...
      Pieter was my exceptional mentor and his passion for the job rubbed off on me.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Great achievement! It's not easy to keep doing best efforts at anytime.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest RTC,
      Thank you and yes, doing it anytime requires a true passion and practical experience and deep knowledge. Pieter sure had that!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. Esse blog é uma preciosidade, Mariette, a bela vida de vocês dois guardada
    com todo o carinho e esmero!
    E você como está agora? Penso que bem melhor. E as dores?
    As fotos estão lindas!
    Um ótimo fim de semana ao casal!
    Grande abraço.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prezados Taís,
      Muito obrigado e fiquei muito feliz em receber esta publicação recentemente, que não tínhamos. Isso torna minha história com as imagens completa e Pieter foi tão bom e bem aplaudido por sua palestra. Ainda assim, pode beneficiar muitos outros.
      Obrigado sim, minha dor diminuiu muito e estou melhor. Comece minha terapia na próxima semana.
      Abraços,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. 1985, that is reaching way back in time...lol....Mushroom conference? Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Pam,
      Time is passing fast but the value of such a lecture is not changing.
      Yes, the North American Mushroom Conference is an annual thing since 1979 and is only about the production of edible mushrooms—a true science.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Mariette,
    How good it is to read and learn about new subjects, especially on a blog.
    We, who are part of this great “family of bloggers”, want to interact with cultured people who know exactly what they are talking about.
    I will come back more often, because I am already part of your friends.
    A loving hug and may your week start well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Douglas,
      This is by no means a new subject...
      Did visit your blog but that is not 'our' style of writing.
      Good luck with your flashy content—without any translator visible.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. I have a large box stored away in a closet full of memorabilia ... I need to pull it out and relive old memories. Much of it needs to be passed down to children I imagine. Hope you are feeling better and better, Mariette.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Helen,
      So grateful for having tackled this mega task of archiving all our slides, photos, scrapbooks and with the help of our handwritten diaries it did come to life. Certain things are very important to share and pass on! Yes, the pain is subsiding so I can concentrate on writing and also reading.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Dag Mariette,

    Je kunt aan alles zien dat Pieter een passie heeft voor zijn vak.
    Wat mooi dat jij er ook zoveel van weet.
    Prachtige foto's, mooi om mee te beleven.

    Liefs,
    Hilly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Hilly,
      Dank je voor je betekenisvolle woorden!
      Het zijn heel mooie herinneringen—die we uiteraard ook graag delen met champignonkwekers wereldwijd die er nog altijd veel aan hebben en met mijn trouwe lezers hier.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. No real comment from me as I tried to read it but the words ran together and the page became blurry so gave up but I was here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Well the actual text from Pieter's lecture is of course of value to all the mushroom growers world wide...
      Thanks for your visit and hope you enjoyed the pictures!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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