Collecting kit

[cervinae]

I know I shouldn't and after my last foray I'm even more determined to stop using lousy plastic bags for collecting samples (wrecking the samples of Marasmius has annoyed me somewhat). So what I am wondering is what do you folk use as a container for bringing fungi back to base? I was thinking of those multi layered tool boxes with seperate compartments might do the trick although a wee bit cumbersome. I really don't want a trug though

My current kit consists of:

A Opinel mushroom knife
A Panasonic DMC-FZ8 camera (which I hate )
An extendable tripod
Plastic bags
Collins Complete Guide
Note book, pen and pencil
Wet weather gear (because ya never can trust the weather)
Food and drink
Map if it's somewhere we're not familiar with
And a medium sized rucksack


I really should have a mirror and 10x lens I know but still haven't got round to getting them.

Regards, David

[nightshade]

The fungi people I have met all use a Sussex trug, or wicker fruit tray, I used to use a wicker fishing creel that I was given. they all allowed specimens plenty of room and no temptation to stack them up.

[cervinae]

Hmmm a fishing creel looks a lot better than a trug and would be useful if collecting for the table (and would have certainly been useful when I was fruit picking earlier) and I may get one. But I'm looking more for something with seperate compartments of variable sizes for bringing back specimens to research and (with any luck) I.D

Thankyou for the suggestion (I never knew those baskets were called creels)

Regards, David

[Meta menardi]

Part of your collecting kit? A whistle? I love whistles. I have one marked "Girl Guide Whistle". I have blown and blown, but I think it is broken.

[ashgale]

for getting my finds home in one piece, i use those small plastic containers which you get a chinese or indian takeaway in, with a simple divider made from folded paper or thin card, i suppose a margarine tub would also fit the bill, the paper lining being easily replaced,



and for very small specimens, i have several small 4"x1.5" plastic boxes with snap on lids, that once contained small model trains ,(quick bribe of a young nephew here )
with a lining of moss, the small fragile specimens get a nice safe ride home



far safer than in a plastic bag inside a rucksack, where everything rolls about and crushes your precious samples,(been there on more than one occasion))

ashgale.

[thelawnet]

Originally Posted by cervinae

I know I shouldn't and after my last foray I'm even more determined to stop using lousy plastic bags for collecting samples

Try paper bags? Supermarkets usually have some for putting mushrooms in....

[richickle]

I've just bought a magnifying loupe with built in LED light and 10x and 20x magnification for 5.99 plus 1.20 delivery from ebay. it was delivered within two days. here's the link if you're interested...

10x and 20x LED Illuminated Magnifying Eye Loupe on eBay (end time 28-Nov-10 01:07:08 GMT)

for collecting, I have a wicker basket that i bought from a florists and also carry a number of little tesco value tupperware boxes (pack of three for about a pound) in various sizes for seperating unidentified species.

hope this helps - rich

[cervinae]

@Meta menardi: I've a headtorch with inbuilt whistle which I carry on longer walks if there's a risk of being late back. But I try to avoid getting into situations where I'd need a whistle to signal for help

@ashgale: Not a bad idea that, we've plenty kicking about and I'll certainly be using moss to protect the delicate specimens from now on. Thankyou for the advice

@thelawnet: Paper bags would be suitable for robust specimens and probably reduce the risk of them "sweating" but I never know what I'm going to find so I'll stil need some kind of solid containers

@richickle: Now that's a nice piece of kit, I can see myself purchasing that when I get home tonight. Thankyou for the link

Regards, David

[FungiJohn]

Hi David

See this thread:

Illuminated magnifier - advice please

John

[cervinae]

Thankyou for that link, learned quite a bit from that thread. I've spent my free time between jobs browsing the net looking for something suitable in regard of a lens. Still haven't settled on one but it seems those oxfords are still available

Cheers, David