As the majority of water absorbed by mushrooms comes from the compost its logical that mycelium quality in the casing soil must be excellent throughout the entire cultivation process. This mycelium must ensure that water from the compost and nutrition is transported freely to the growing mushroom.
Paying sufficient attention to mycelium quality is therefore an essential aspect of growing from the very early stages beginning with the type of casing soil. A rougher textured wetter casing soil generally gives better mycelium quality as the moisture retention properties are better. No mycelium can grow where there is water and the quality of mycelium in casing soil often deteriorates as the quantity increases.
For certain reasons some growers prefer to use a finer textured casing soil. In this case regular sprinkling is essential to increase water retention. A finer drier casing soil can also be more heavily compacted to prevent too much water being lost through evaporation.
In the run up to the first flush problems seldom occur with mycelium quality. Afterwards if the casing dehydrates too much the mycelium in the casing soil will also dehydrate and may threaten to choke the casing soil. The quality of later flushes will deteriorate.
The only way to keep this problem in check is to keep the moisture content of the casing soil in balance. The casing soil must not dry out too much at any point during the growing process as recovering the moisture level after a period of dehydration is very difficult if not impossible. Keeping moisture at the required level can be done in two ways: sprinkling and preventing unnecessary evaporation.
John Peeters, C point
FAQs
Water well casing is a pipe that lines the drilled hole of a water well. This pipe is typically made of steel or PVC and serves as the primary structural component of the well. It is essential for maintaining stability, preventing collapse of the well walls and protecting against outside contaminants.
Why is water coming out of my well casing? ›
If your water well casing is leaking, you'll need to take quick action to prevent further damage. Leaks can occur due to corrosion, excess pressure against the casing, defective seams, installation errors or a range of other issues.
How does water get into a well casing? ›
However, many wells have some sort of well screen installed or perforations cut into the casing through which water can enter. The openings must be correctly sized so that water will enter, but sand and other aquifer materials do not.
What is the best casing for a water well? ›
In areas with certain geological characteristics (such as solid rock belowground), you may need to use a steel casing. However, other geological characteristics may allow for a plastic or even concrete well casing. Both of these alternate materials have the advantage that, unlike steel, they will not rust.
What is the purpose of casing? ›
Casing is a series of steel pipes that are run into a drilled oil well to stabilize the well, keep contaminants and water out of the oil stream, and prevent oil from leaching into the groundwater. Casing is installed in layers, in sections of decreasing diameter that are joined together to form casing strings.
What are the two types of casing? ›
There are five different types of casing pipe: Conductor Casing, Surface Casing, Intermediate Casing, liner String, Production Casing. Casing pipe is an integral part of the oil drilling and completion process.
How much does it cost to repair a well casing? ›
Installing or replacing well casing costs $6 per foot for PVC casing to $130 per foot for stainless steel pipe casing. An average well needs 25' of casing below the surface that costs $250 to $2,500 depending on soil conditions.
How long should a well casing last? ›
The lifespan of a well casing can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of casing material, the quality of the installation, and the environmental conditions. In Washington state, well casings typically last for 30-50 years, sometimes longer.
How much water should be in my well casing? ›
The typical 6-inch diameter well will hold approximately 1.5 gallons of water per foot of casing. The height of the water above the pump when it is not operating, multiplied by the gallons of water per foot of casing approximates the amount of available storage within the well casing.
What does a well casing look like? ›
The well casings are usually topped with a plastic or aluminum cap to keep insects, dirt, dust, small animals, and debris out. The cap has a vent to help control the water pressure during pumping. Some common materials used to make casings include plastic and steel (can be carbon or stainless).
If the seams of the casing were not properly welded, it can crack and become brittle. Large stones or tree roots, as well as other ground materials, can press on the casing and cause cracks. This can lead to groundwater contamination and other contaminants in your well.
What causes a well casing to collapse? ›
On the well diagram, you can see that water builds up on the outside of the casing and pushes in on the casing. The water on the inside of the casing pushes back. As that water level drops further and further, the collapse pressure on the casing increases. When you get to the breaking point, the casing collapses.
Can water well casing be replaced? ›
In cases of severe damage, sections of the casing may need to be reinforced or replaced entirely. For this, specialized equipment and expertise are vital.
How far down a well does the casing go? ›
The well is drilled very deep - about 600 feet into an underground aquifer. The steel well casing is about 8′ deep - it keeps the soil and surrounding surface debris from falling into the well. It protrudes from the surface a few feet.
What is at the bottom of a well casing? ›
Screen: The screen is at the very bottom of the well, attached to the casing. It keeps sand and gravel out of the well while allowing groundwater to flow into the well. Some wells drilled into bedrock do not need screens since the water travels through crevices in the rock, and there is no sand to filter out.
Can a water well casing be replaced? ›
Replacing a well casing is a costly, yet necessary, expense if your home's water supply comes from a well.
What is the purpose of a casing pipe? ›
Casing pipe is used to protect gas pipes, water mains, fiber optic cables, power cables, and more. It is also used for deep foundation construction. Once casing pipe is secured underground, utility lines and product pipes are run through it and mounted/secured using casing spacers.
What does casing mean in construction? ›
What is casing? Quite simply, it's a moulding profile which frames (or trims) a door or window. Casing is functional as well as decorative. The main purpose of casing is to surround all doors and windows, covering any space or gap left between the drywall and frame.
What is the difference between casing and tubing? ›
Casing is installed during the drilling phase to protect and stabilize the wellbore. Tubing is installed for production, to transport oil or gas to the surface. Casing provides structural integrity and isolation. Tubing is primarily used for the movement of oil or gas.
