compost starter

[kevink]

Buying substrate is fine, and I've done that, and I also collect oak and other hardwood leaves and rotting logs.

There is a big difference between what I get in the mail, and what I end up with, I've just started another 5 gallon bucket of

newly collected material, and I'm wondering about using a compost starter. Any recommendations?

Typically, I've mixed my material with what I buy, I also added the changed substrate from my Lucanus grubs, which

I still think had quite a bit of life in it, but I need more experience. 

 

[JKim]

I don't know what you have purchased so far, but if you are referring to substrate made for beetle rearing, then the source is the main difference here. People who sells substrate do not usually make substrate out of wood chunks and leaves collected right from the woods. They use BBQ wood pellets originally fabricated for grilling, having no unnatural objects in it (BBQ Pellets are heated, pressurized substrate, having no glue or any adhering chemicals).

Also, They have a whole lot more experience and knowledge, if you are keep failing from your own substrate...
I have been making substrate for about 15 years. Hundreds and thousands of gallons of substrate...

I would not mix two different substrate together to feed your larvae because that can start fermentation while larvae being in there...

 

[kevink]

I made a one time purchase of what the breeder called premium flake, it was a fine dark material from hardwood, that they used for Lucanus and Dynastes.

I haven't failed with substrate, I'd just like to save money, as it's free to collect rotted oak in the woods.

At this time, I am using my mix of the original flake soil and collected material, I've raised one adult female Lucanus elephus, I haven't dug deep enough to

know what is the typical size for a female, but mine is about 1.25/1.5 inches, she's now in hibernation and I check now and then to see she's doing well.

My 5 other elephus are growing very nicely, I check them periodically and the last time, about a week ago all were much larger and I gave them some supplemental

koi pellets.When I purchased the grubs, the 5 I paid for were similar  in size, and the breeder gave me an extra sexed one-the female which was older. I'm

thinking the rest are close to being mature...maybe. This is my first go at beetles, save for mealworms, and those don't take much care at all.

The whole purpose of the question was to attempt to replicate the flake soil I purchased, although I'm not really sure it's necessary, the current grubs seem

well enough. Mold hasn't been a problem,my brood has been going indoors since last September(2019).I've got most of my information from Orin McMonigle's

ultimate guide book.Compost accelerator isn't mentioned in the book, but that's what experience is for, and using other sources. Few books have exactly the

same information.