Silkworm chow

[busterboy]

Who has made silkworm chow before?
How do you do it? yes, I know the instructions are on the packet, but it would be better to hear from some other people how they do it.
Is there a way you can do it without using the whole 1/2 lb packet?

 

[pssh]

Well you could try weighing it out and using math to determine the amount of water needed for the weight. The packet instructions work just fine though.

 

[busterboy]

Do you usually make the whole 1/2 lb packet?
....and when it says to put plastic wrapping after the second microwave stage onto the chow before putting a lid on to be stored in the refrigerator, how do you do that? Or do you just put a lid on your container?

 

[pssh]

I usually use a double boiler to make it. I don't have a packet on hand to see what you mean. I would assume that the plastic wrap is to prevent too much water from escaping while it is in the microwave.

 

[busterboy]

yeah thats what they say to use... but how do you fridge it? Do you just put it in a plastic container and lid and thats it?
And how long does it last you in the fridge? packet says 1 month... others say 2-3


sorry for all the questions

 

[sandrachameleon]

Who has made silkworm chow before?
How do you do it? yes, I know the instructions are on the packet, but it would be better to hear from some other people how they do it.
Is there a way you can do it without using the whole 1/2 lb packet?

I put around half a cup, up to two cups, of powder in an old bowl. I pour boiling water on top and stir. I dont measure. I just use however much water it into a paste thats a bit thicker than toothpaste.

This allows me to just make how much I want when I want. I boil water every day for tea anyways, so its easy enough for me to do it this way.
I keep any extra in the fridge in the same bowl I mixed it up in (with plastic wrap on top) or in a plastic container with lid.

And as the chow is not all I feed my silkworms (I also fee them dandelion etc) making up pounds of chow at a time would be wasteful.

 

[busterboy]

dandelion leaves...hm never thought about that...
How often do you feed dandelion leaves and etc? every other day

 

[sandrachameleon]

dandelion leaves...hm never thought about that...
How often do you feed dandelion leaves and etc? every other day

I use mulberry leaves or mulberry based chow for about half of what my silkworms eat. The rest is dandelion, grape vine leaves, shaved carrot, oranic bell pepper fruit, basil, mint, clover, rocket, etc.

 

[Kate]

I cut the cooked chow into strips and wrap each strip in cling film and put it all in the fridge.

 

[Silkworms]

Easy peezy

I cook chow nearly everyday. Here is what I do:
for .5lb bag, simply measure 5 cups of HOT water and pour into tub.

pour chow into water and use wisk to stir.

add another 1/2 cup of hot water and stir again. *prior to stirring that last 1/2 of cup of water in, turn burner on stove on high with pot already on*

by the time you are done stirring that last 1/2 cup of water in, the stove should be hot enough to pour into pot.

Continuouslly stir chow while in pot.

Bring to a bubbling boil and then turn stove off.

Pour chow back into tub and stir one last time.

Place lid on halfway and allow to cool to a luke warm.

Put tub in fridge and allow it to harden and VOILA!!

This entire process literally can take less than 7 minutes. Hope this helps

*one last thing* Using a cheese grater to lay a solid layer over your silks is the best way to feed them. Once a day feeding is plenty good.