Mould!

[Dencappo]

I wondered if that might be the case.
I'm reaching here (so if anyone has an alternative theory, I'm more than happy to concede), but:

I'm guessing that the hygroscopic properties of the tobacco and cardboard are slightly different, and with the cardboard drawing in a higher level of moisture from the ambient air, it may have resulted in the cardboard tube becoming its own (self-contained) mini humidor.
Only with a raised RH and no airflow.
Classic conditions for mould to thrive.

Sounds good to me.

[Watkins]

UV light, black light, maybe. Light does not prevent mold from growing in poorly ventilated bathrooms, for instance.

that's some what different from a bulb cm's away though is it not?
I'm not sure on it myself but it's what I've been advised to do, seen others doing and has worked for me.

[Puff Scotty]

that's some what different from a bulb cm's away though is it not?
I'm not sure on it myself but it's what I've been advised to do, seen others doing and has worked for me.

Types of light, quickest split: visible & non-visible, your types Bulb, especially UV & Black Light although on the edge of the electromagnetic spectrum (visible)are all light sources, the wavelength being played with to allow them to be seen.
I personally would doubt the effect of this type of light on any mould at the levels being spoken about, are you saying buy a Zino clear perspex humi would stop all your mould problems?
I really don't think so: Please start a new thread if you wish to discuss this further, IMHO I'm sure Bambini has heard enough now...

[bambini]

Wow, I go out for the evening and when I come to check in on this thread today, I can see we've moved on quite a bit! I knew you guys would come through for me in the end

You have time to sort this out if you've isolated the visibly infected cigars, so don't panic, all will come good. If you PM your address I'll post you some cigars to lessen the anxiety.

Thanks Puff for talking me down off that ledge, and for fighting my corner and trying to keep people on-topic over the last few posts And thank you also for offering to send me some smokes - I'll take you up on it on condition that you also give me your address so I can return the favour some time (I've been caught out on this before - eggy, I'm looking at you ).

Now, bambini, everything is going to be fine, tipp has given you some excellent advice on how to fix the mould, and here's how you can stop it from ever happening again...

Replace analogue hygrometer with (reliable) digital model, replace humidifier with 65% heartfelt beads or similar (IMHO).

Thanks also to Cat for reassuring me and giving me practical advice in one fell swoop. You're a true gentleman as ever Heartfelt beads, eh? Not heard of them before. Where would be a good place to get them?

It sounds like mould is a problem we all come across from time to time then, so I was probably panicking more than I should have Well that's good.

I get the feeling that my problem here is a humidifier that isn't providing even humidity. I've had problems already with some of my sticks getting a bit softer than others, and it's true now that I think about it that the mould has grown directly under the gel crystals I've been using. Time to invest in another method of humidifying methinks. And a digital hygro.

I've also had to turn down the heating in the room that my humi is kept in - I noticed that it was getting pretty warm in there, so I suppose that hasn't helped.

[Watkins]

Heartfelt beads are American, their site is http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/

Sorry puff scotty, once again I feel like I have to point out that it was just what others have advised. As for telling me to discuss this in another thread not to annoy bambini I had no intention to keep posting, but it's for bambini to say is it not?

[daverave999]

...now that I think about it that the mould has grown directly under the gel crystals I've been using...

Am I correct in thinking you had Boveda in there too? Try with just the Boveda?

[Puff Scotty]

Heartfelt beads are American, their site is http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/

Sorry puff scotty, once again I feel like I have to point out that it was just what others have advised. As for telling me to discuss this in another thread not to annoy bambini I had no intention to keep posting, but it's for bambini to say is it not?

No need to apologise - just 'point' away, but do get it right!
This is what you said:

seen others doing and has worked for me.

and as for another thread, I didn't 'tell' you anything, it was a suggestion because Bambini had asked us not to go off topic, but you may not have seen that: so ignorance is bliss I suppose!

[Aussiewaz]

I've also had to turn down the heating in the room that my humi is kept in - I noticed that it was getting pretty warm in there, so I suppose that hasn't helped.

It would be one of the major contributors methinks.

[bambini]

Am I correct in thinking you had Boveda in there too? Try with just the Boveda?

Not a bad idea. The only thing that puts me off Boveda is that they are not reusable. The only reason I have one is because it was a stop gap in the biscuit-tin-ador until I got my proper humi. Once I got the humi, I figured I may as well chuck the boveda in there too.

So I could use the boveda on its own, but that would only be a short-term solution: once the boveda dies I'd want to replace it with beads, crystals or a humiditube of sorts.

[Aussiewaz]

There are posts on recharging Bovedas.

[Watkins]

No need to apologise - just 'point' away, but do get it right!
This is what you said:



and as for another thread, I didn't 'tell' you anything, it was a suggestion because Bambini had asked us not to go off topic, but you may not have seen that: so ignorance is bliss I suppose!

Yes it has worked for me when restoring an old humidor, the wood. which is why I said that's the most I'd ever do on my initial post. I didn't at any point mean he should do it no matter what. It's just the most I'd ever do and he may of wanted to do so just to put his mind to rest.

I agree with not getting off topic however I had no intention of talking about this as it was merely to try and help not a form of analysis. When not going off topic he was referring to the plume/mold debate which was clearly off topic as it had already been outlined that this was mold. This was somewhat different as it was at least dealing with mold, the threads topic.

Anyway I have no intention of arguing about this and in all honesty it seems as though you know more about it than myself, it has however worked which is why I recommended doing it if it must be done.

Bambini I'm sorry if you felt I personally went off topic but let me know, as for what I'd do personally now is really try and keep the temperature constant, place a piece of veneer over the humidifier until some 65% heartfelt beads arrive. ( I happen to use these and can state they are very good at keeping humidity constant however would order the size up at least of beads due to some cracking and much less monitoring you have to carry out due to have more)

[Puff Scotty]

Time to invest in another method of humidifying methinks. And a digital hygro.

I've also had to turn down the heating in the room that my humi is kept in - I noticed that it was getting pretty warm in there, so I suppose that hasn't helped.

Hi again, thanks for your request .
Room temperature variation can have a disastrous effect on your humi. I can't put a humi in my smoking den yet because of fluctuations.
Go steady on buying new kit (unless of course you want to ) 'til you've exhausted the possibilities of what you have. Again, a discussion opener on what's best. I still think proper monitoring & good housekeeping gives you the best return for your effort, just my opinion....

[bambini]

Hi again, thanks for your request .
Room temperature variation can have a disastrous effect on your humi. I can't put a humi in my smoking den yet because of fluctuations.
Go steady on buying new kit (unless of course you want to ) 'til you've exhausted the possibilities of what you have. Again, a discussion opener on what's best. I still think proper monitoring & good housekeeping gives you the best return for your effort, just my opinion....

Now I likes the sounds of that - saves my money Nevertheless, I think I may well need to at least buy some 65% beads as I'm pretty convinced my smokes are still a little overhumifidied.

[daverave999]

I'm on my phone so can't link you, but search my blog for Boveda as I posted about recharging them a while back. The idea is to put it in a high humidity environment, and it sucks it back into the pouch. I'm still using my originals I bought well over a year ago.

[tippexx]

....monitoring & good housekeeping gives you the best return for your effort

.... yep. The basic's of medicine too.

There is no such thing as tobacco mold, there is only mold(s) on tobacco.

Molds are fungi and fungi's spread as spores. There are an estimated half million species of fungi and these cover every climatic niche of the planet. The vast majority of fungi feed on dead or decaying organic matter ? they are one of the principle agents responsible for the natural recycling of dead plant and animal life.

There are 4 critical requirements for mold growth.
1) available mold spores
2) available mold food
3) appropriate temperatures
4) preferred moisture
The removal of any one of these items will prohibit mold growth, but it will never elliminate it.

Ranging in size from 3 to 40 microns (human hair is 100-150 microns), mold spores are ubiquitous ? they are literally everywhere ? so, trying to control mold growth through the elimination of mold spores is not feasible.

Almost any substance that contains carbon atoms (organic substance) will provide sufficient nutrients to support mold growth. Even the oil from your skin that is left when you touch an otherwise unsuitable surface, like stainless steel, or the soap residue left from a good cleaning will provide sufficient nutrients to support the growth of some molds. And many of the most common materials found in homes like wood, paper and organic fibers are among the most preferred of mold nutrients.

Molds grow very well at the same temperatures that humans prefer. In addition, anyone who has cleaned out their refrigerator quickly realises that temperatures close to freezing are not cold enough to prevent mold growth and temperatures that are much warmer than humans prefer, like those of the tropics, will grow abundant quantities of mold. Therefore, it is not feasible to control mold growth through the control of temperature.

Molds, in common with most organisms, require moisture for growth. Mycologists (fungi scientists) refer to 'water activity' when describing the required conditions for mold growth. The various species of mold have different water activity requirements. A material's 'water activity' is equivalent to the relative humidity of the air that would be in equilibrium with the material at that material moisture content. The vast majority of mold species require 'water activity' levels that are equivalent to material equilibrium moisture contents corresponding to relative humidities of at least 70%.

So. Mold spores are so numerous that they can't be eliminated. Natures function for mold is that it should grow-on, and so decompose dead organic substances. Molds are tolerant to to a wide range of temperatures. Molds thrive on hosts when the humidity characteristic of the host and it's humidity environment are equal ..... sound familiar.