dcloin

I recently got a microscope and am in the process of learning how to use it. I ended up with OMAX 40X-2000X Lab LED Binocular Microscope from Amazon. I hoping it will work well enough for me to learn on To give you my background the last time I used a microscope was in High School biology class 1987. I believe I have the basics figured out I have bought an eyepiece with reticle and calibrated it using a stage micrometer. I’m still fuzzy on best use of light intensity, condenser location and diaphragm opening For now I’m just playing with all 3 till I get what I think is the best image So, with all that said I have a few questions. 1. For staining do I just need phloxine? I’ve also read that Lactophenol Cotton Blue and Safranin are useful. I was just curious what others use. 2. For mounting I guess I’ll be using distilled water or KOH. Do I need anything else for mounting? 3. For testing chemical reactions I have Amonia, KOH (on order), and FeSO4. 4. Is there any way to check for Amyloid, dextnroid or inamloid without melters reagent? I have more I’m trying to figure out, but these are my main concern right now. I appreciate any advice that anyone is willing to offer. I’ve attached a pic of some spores taken using my phone

After about 5 more tries I was able to add pics on another post. Not sure if it’s me, or the site, but glad it worked.

It’s taken a few tries but finally here are a few pics.

Well, thought I had this figured out. I went to another post to add a pic, now it won’t work. I can click the link to attach photos, I can select the photos, but when I select done nothing happens. Took a few tries to attach the pics above too. Seems like there might still be a glitch.

2nd test. Looks like it worked this time. Thanks

Test

I 3rd that opinion. I’m not against Facebook, I just don’t use it. Well, I guess as long as the site remains open we can share with those interested.

Thank you for your help. I’ll check out the Facebook page.

I placed an order on this site 3 weeks ago. My payment was processed but I still have not received anything besides an automatic reply after ordering. I emailed Steve steve@hoosiermushrooms.org a few days ago. Still haven’t heard anything. I’m beginning to wonder why I joined the HMS because it seems like the site is all but abandoned. I was hoping to have conversations, share info and learn from others but to be honest there is not much going on. Oh well, live and learn. But I did also pay for items that I haven’t received. Sorry for the rant, but I’m just not feeling like this is much of an actual organization. It seems like after joining that someone would reach out and welcome new members, and such.

Anyone know how to contact a site administrator? I purchased some chemicals 2 weeks ago and still have no response or acknowledgement. I can order somewhere else if it’s not going to be available from here.

I do have “notify me of replies” on the grey bare beneath the text box on the left side. Above that there white space and insert other media button on the right. Then above that there is another grey bar and on the left side of it the letters “div p”. The “div p” looks like an error of some type, probably where the paper clip and choose file should be.

When I go to the gallery there is no "add images button" There is no paper clip that says "choose file". There is a button under the text area that says "Insert other media" If I click it I have 2 options Insert existing attachment Insert media from URL I've tried on ipad, iPhone, on a computer using chrome browser and also Microsoft Edge browser. I am signed in and see my username in the upper right corner. I'm wondering if it is not recognizing when users are logged in correctly. It's kind of an important thing for a forum like this to be able to post pictures. Hopefully we can get it figured out.

First pic was link from amazon, when I click on it it’s cropped and part of the image is missing. 2nd was from google photos. It seemed to work better. I’m not sure if anyone else can see them or not since it’s my account and I’m logged in. I was hoping to be able to have the pic shown instead of having to click a link but if this works it’s better than nothing.

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/z4gk8vSuSKOjr8V_trHo9A.6IExfwYsDXnkKsXgOqMML0 https://photos.app.goo.gl/kVdY84VNH2dxbPwG6 testing to see if this works

I’ve tried to attach photos with no luck.

Anyone figure out how to attach a photo? I tried to link a url, but couldn’t get that to work

Walked around a few minutes today and found these. I think they are Gymnopilus liquiritiae. Cap: 2-3 cm, looks to have been convex and becoming flat, orange-brown fading yellow on the edges stalk: 4-5 cm tall, .5 cm thick and not straight (this could have been caused from growing under degree) sport print: orange/brown gills: attached, thick and distant no visible sack, vail, or ring odor was mild and not distinctive taste was mild and not bitter at all these were found growing from the ground near / above a rotting fallen hardwood branch

Thanks for the updates. I understand that it’s sort of a small group here, that’s part of the charm also. I’m not really in a big hurry, just wanted to check. I’m looking forward to learning more from the group once activity increases.

I did sign up at morels.com also, thanks for the update.

Anyone know how the items purchased from this site are shipped? I ordered a Identification Reaction Kit and paid membership (site says 2018 since its not been updated, but I assume it’s for 2019J dues a while back. I paid with PayPal and payment was processed but I haven’t received anything other than an email notification after I ordered. I understand that it might just take a while, but since so much of this site is outdated, I was starting to get worried that it’s possible nobody is monitoring the account.

I just looked at a Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America last night after I stumbled across americanmushrooms.com. David Fischer’s website is pretty interesting. I’ve spent quite a while navigating its pages. I was also wondering about Mushroms of Northeast North America by David Fischer. I’m sort of consumed with studying about mushrooms right now and have been quickly reading through all the books I currently have. Ive been looking at microscopes and bought one recently for my Son who is also interested in mushrooms but I haven’t got one yet for myself. Unfortunately my Son lives about 45 minutes away so I’ll have to get my own. It seems like Mushrooms of the Midwest by Kuo & Methven will be most useful when identifying with a microscope. Lots of info on spore size, shape, and chemical reactions.

I have a few mushroom books and each one offers good information, but I think 100 Edible Mushrooms is the easiest to understand and most enjoyable to read. Even if you don’t care about eating mushrooms, the information is informative and clear. Michael Kuo has done a great job taking a complex subject and really presenting it in a way that is both entertaining and informative. I curently have: 100 Edible Mushrooms by Michael Kuo Mushroms Demystified by David Arora Mushroms of the Midwest by Michael Kuo and Andrew S. Methven Mushroms of Illinois & Surrounding States by Joe McFarland and Gregory M. Mueller National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms I’m interested to hear if anyone else has a favorite any why.

Chris, are you you talking about indianamushrooms.com? I don’t see a forum link there.

I’ve been looking for a few months but haven’t noticed any updates on the site. Does anyone know if there is going to be a wild mushroom course this year. I’d like to schedule time off to attend as soon as I can find out. Also, I’ve hesitated to join the club due to seeming lack of activity. Maybe I’m just missing it. I’d appreciate some feedback from members on this subject.

Thanks for the reply. Being new to this forum I guess I need to realize it may not see a lot of activity every day. I’ll wait patiently.