Can I put the cakes directly on the perlite?
Your cakes can sit either directly on the perlite layer, or they can be placed on something like upside-down mason jar lids (including the ring). There’s no real agreement as to which is best, but there are a few issues to consider when deciding which method to use : Directly on perlite It’s theorized that some amount of water is fed directly into the cake through absorbtion if the cake is placed directly on the perlite. Some think this may increase contamination, but others say the only noticeable effect is that the mushrooms growing near the base of the cake will often be a bit bulbous and overly wet (sometimes this only happens on the 2nd or 3rd flush), though this is also where some people find the largest mushrooms growing. Cutting the wet mushrooms in half before drying will help with this problem. On lids Growing on lids will prevent direct contact between the cakes and the perlite. If you’re using hydrogen peroxide and you’re worried about the mycelium being hurt, lids may be i
