The age-old question - mould?

[grumpybaldy]

Checking my stock tonight I came across a box of ten with a few showing these signs below. The one box I didn't want hit by this.

It's been in a Lock 'n' Lock at 71% and 22 degrees C. What thoughts? is it the dreaded mould? Recommended steps?

Thanks

Query mould 2.jpg

Query mould 1.jpg

[gojira]

That's mould. Your RH is a bit high. Wipe them off with a soft brush or cloth. Put them in quarantine for a couple of months. If the mould didn't come back you can move them back to general population.

[gojira]

22 degrees C is a little high as well.

[ha_banos]

It's always mould it would seem unfortunately. I make sure I have a 65 or 69 boveda at most in an airtight container. And also make sure I open it at least once every couple of months. At least to have a sniff

Hopefully it dusts off like Mike says. They say if there's mould in the foot it's beyond help. But as we know, surfaced mould is often sold as a feature!

[grumpybaldy]

Thanks guys. Quarantine time, then. The box had two 69% Boveda packs in it, so I don't know why it got up to 72%?

[ha_banos]

Thanks guys. Quarantine time, then. The box had two 69% Boveda packs in it, so I don't know why it got up to 72%?

They must be saturated? And with moisture in the cigars being released the sealed environment means there's nowhere for the moisture to go. The hygrometer also may be slightly out? And with higher temperature the air can hold more moisture. So if the temperature drops moisture had to go back into the wood and cigars id guess. I don't like sealed units unless in strict controlled conditions. I know some people vacuum seal cigars however.

Hopefully it dusts right off!

[grumpybaldy]

Thanks. It seems to have dusted off. I've quarantined them, although it only seemed to be a couple of sticks that were affected when I looked more closely, so hopefully I've dodged a bullet. Still, a wake up call on the temperature question - I've got a dozen Lock 'n' Locks (all with digital hygrometers) under the stairs; I thought that would be cool enough, but the central heating affects everything at this time of year. Perhaps I'll go for the walk-in humidor after all!

[Simon Bolivar]

Go fort 65% Boveda instead of 69%, what ever it tell you on the packet, your humi will always vary a couple of degrees either way due to changes in external temp & humidity, number of cigars in side, amount of times you open it. 63-67 is absolutely fine 70-72% too high!

Frequent checks, like every 4-6wks mean you should catch ay mould if & when it starts, it's then light & fluffy & will brush off easily. The longer the mould is left the more damage it will do & the heavier the growth. If it leaves stains & marks after brushing it's time to smoke 'em up but if there is mould on the foot either cut an 1" off (it grows length ways inside) & smoke or ditch. They say the temp of the burning cigar, isn't enough to kill the spores & you could inhale. I have dealt with chest infection form mould spores before (not from cigars) & is isn't easy to get rid of.

[grumpybaldy]

Something you don't want - particularly at the moment!

Bit of a bugger on the Bovidas - I've just replenished mine at 69%. C'est la vie.