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 does casing mean in the oilfield? ›
Casing is pipe usually larger in diameter and longer than drill pipe and is used to line the hole. Casing operations occur periodically throughout the drilling process starting with the surface casing, intermediate casing, and ending with production string which takes place during well completion.
What is the purpose of the 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? ›
Usually, the well casing is a cylinder shape, and it is typically made of a sturdy material to provide long-lasting protection. Often, a well casing is simply a large pipe of steel or sturdy plastic.
A bent/cracked well casing may allow water, sediment and debris to enter the well and increase the risk of contamination.
What causes a well casing to collapse? ›
Collapse pressures during well development can be caused by: 1. Rapid injection of air, which can create excessive net collapsing pressure brought about by the reduction of the internal fluid level and density. The greater the rate of air injection into the casing, the greater the pressure differential.
What is the difference between a well and a wellbore? ›
A wellbore is a drilled hole used to enhance the extraction of oil, natural gas, or water. The wellbore, which is the hole that forms what will become a well, is used to provide greater access to natural resources.
How is casing run in the hole? ›
Running casing is the process of screwing together pieces of pipe on a rig floor and lowering them into a hole. During running casing, the pipes are fitted together and lowered into the hole. A steel casing is lowered into the open hole - the action is called running casing - and cement slurry is pumped down the hole.
What is the difference between well tubing and casing? ›
Casing is mainly used to stabilize the well wall and line the hole. In the oil and gas extraction process, tubing is mainly used to transport oil and gas from the well to the surface, and equipment can be deployed at the wellhead for production testing.
Can a 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.
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.
