Preparing Substrate
The basic process of preparing substrate has some simple goals – hydrate the substrate evenly and to the correct amount, mix it well, and load it into your growing container (e.g. filter patch bag).
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The first step is to properly hydrate the substrate. As a rule of thumb, normally for every 1 part of dry substrate (by weight), 1.5 to 1.8 parts of water is added. This varies depending on the substrate, how dry it is, how absorbent it is and so on. Essentially, the key goal is to achieve field capacity moisture levels in the substrate.
Notes on Field Capacity Personally, I rarely actually weigh or measure my substrates these days. And that is because once you get the hang of it it, it is fairly easy to get the right moisture content just by feel.
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Field capacity basically means the amount of water / moisture that a material will naturally hold, without having excess.
The easiest way to test this, is after the substrate has been left to sit for a while, and mixed a few times to hydrate evenly, pick up a handful and do the squeeze test.
If you squeeze a handful of substrate and water comes out – even just a drop or two – then it is too wet, and a small amount of dry substrate should be mixed in to adjust. If you squeeze it and it feels like some water is about to drop out, but doesn’t, that is the perfect field capacity. If the substrate feels or looks dry like weetbix, some extra water can be added slowly and sparingly, with mixing, until the right moisture level is reached.
This same rule applies no matter what your specific substrate mix is.
Hydrating
In a large tote bin or similar, add the sawdust, and any supplements you have chosen to make your substrate mix. Measure out some water approx 1.5 to 1.7 times the weight of the dry substrate.
Mixing
A sturdy plastic scoop is handy for both mixing, and loading the substrate into bags. Mix the substrate, and test for field capacity of moisture (see previous section). Adjust moisture level accordingly.
Bagging
Once the appropriate moisture level (field capacity) is reached, and the substrate thoroughly mixed, it can be put into filter patch bags. Bags should be filled about half way or just over. Tamp down on a bench to slightly compress the mix.
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