CVG (Coco Coir, Vermiculite, Gypsum)
Recipe
What follows is a recipe for CVG that we’ve used for many years with great success. You’ll need:
650g brick of high-quality, low salt content coco coir
5 Gallon Bucket
4L Boiling Water
2L Vermiculite
Half-cup of fine Gypsum
Step 1: Put one 650g brick of in a 5 gallon bucket. Lesser brands may not hold water as well, or too much salt from coconut’s natural environment, so use reputable brands.
Important: Weigh your brick of coco coir, as precision is important to ensure full hydration without saturation. Coco coir bricks differ in precise weight (we’ve seen ranges of 550g up to 800g bricks from the same box). Ratio the water and vermiculite level below to adjust to match your brick’s weight.
Step 2: Bring 4 liters of water to boil in a large pot.
Step 3: Pour all the boiling water into the bucket with the coir brick. It may splash - don’t burn yourself.
Step 4: Add one half cup of gypsum (120mL by volume), and 2 liters volume of vermiculite on top the steaming coco coir.
Step 5: Mix well. This can be difficult, but start quickly after the water has been added, this will allow easier mixing. This can be accomplished with a large stick, or ideally a hand-held concrete mixer. Seal the bucket with a tight fitting lid. We like to flip the bucket onto it’s lid after 30 minutes or so to even out hydration, but “burp” the lid so it doesn’t blow off and spray CVG everywhere.
Step 6: Allow to “proof” for 3-4 hours. This effectively pasteurizes the content and allows the mix to come down to temperature, at which point it can be used to case grain spawn.
Definition
CVG stands for a widely used substrate mix in mushroom cultivation, composed of Coco Coir, Vermiculite, and Gypsum. This combination provides a balanced, moisture-retentive growing medium ideal for the development of mushroom mycelium and the subsequent production of fruiting bodies. In traditional mycology it is used as a less-nutritive casing layer that is resistant to colonization by molds and bacteria. Think of CVG as a “digestible sponge"“ for mycelium where it’s structure allows the significant retention of water, while still being air permeable. Soggy substrates are bad for mycelium.
Components:
Coco Coir: Derived from the fibrous husk of coconuts, coco coir is an organic, sustainable medium known for its excellent water retention, aeration properties, and contamination resistance.
Vermiculite: A natural mineral that expands with heat, vermiculite is included for its ability to aerate the substrate and hold moisture, providing a fluffy texture that promotes mycelial growth.
Gypsum: Chemically known as calcium sulfate, gypsum is added to the mix to improve substrate structure, prevent clumping, and provide essential minerals like calcium and sulfur, which aid in mycelial development.
Role in Mushroom Cultivation
The CVG mix is highly regarded in mushroom cultivation for creating an optimal environment for mycelial expansion and mushroom formation. Its balanced composition supports the growth requirements of a wide range of mushroom species, offering an ideal blend of moisture retention, aeration, and nutrient availability.
Benefits:
Optimal Growth Conditions: Each component of the CVG mix plays a critical role in creating a conducive growth environment, facilitating robust mycelial colonization and healthy mushroom production.
Versatility: Suitable for a variety of mushroom species, the CVG mix can be used in different cultivation setups, including bags, trays, monotubs, and of course RyzaPods.
Sustainability: With coco coir as a renewable resource and vermiculite as a naturally occurring mineral, the CVG mix aligns with environmentally friendly cultivation practices.
Preparation and Use:
Mixing Ratios: While specific ratios can vary depending on the cultivator's preference and the mushroom species, a common starting point is a ratio of 60% coco coir, 30% vermiculite, and 10% gypsum by volume.
Hydration: The mix requires thorough hydration to ensure the coco coir and vermiculite are fully expanded and the gypsum is evenly distributed throughout the substrate.
Sterilization or Pasteurization: To reduce the risk of contamination, the CVG mix is usually pasteurized or sterilized before inoculation with mushroom spores or liquid cultures.
A great recipe for CVG:
Considerations:
Water Holding Capacity: Adjustments to the amount of water used during hydration may be necessary to achieve the desired moisture level, ensuring the substrate is moist but not waterlogged.
Nutrient Supplementation: While CVG provides a strong foundation for growth, some cultivators may choose to supplement the mix with additional nutrients or substrates tailored to specific mushroom species.
Conclusion: The CVG mix represents a cornerstone in the preparation of substrates for mushroom cultivation, offering a well-balanced, effective medium for mycelial development and fruiting body production. Its use underscores the importance of substrate composition in achieving successful mushroom cultivation outcomes.
Want to grow mushrooms easily? Check out our RyzaPods.