Record: Straw source and age, chop length, water temperature and time, squeeze result, spawning date.
Chop fresh, dry straw and soak it overnight in clean water.
Heat water to 60-65 C on a thermometer and hold the straw in it 20-30 minutes.
Drain on a washed floor until the squeeze test passes: no drip, palm just damp.
Cool below 30 C before mixing spawn; hot straw kills spawn.
Watch the batch for green or black patches for 25 days.

