Mould!

[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!

[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?

[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?

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[PoohBore]

I did on the same day. It's the only one I had so I'm not toobothered but will be very careful in future

[El Catador]

It was in the Cohiba cardboard box / sleeve. Its odd because its in my 7 drawer singles humi and nothing else has anything on it.

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.

As mentioned, I may be wrong about this, but it might be worth removing the cigars from the cardboard packaging and storing them separately.

Out of curiosity, I'd be interested to hear of others experiences of this, as I suspect you've been pretty unlucky.

Bloody Cohiba too.
Still, it's good excuse to smoke it.

[PoohBore]

It was in the Cohiba cardboard box / sleeve. Its odd because its in my 7 drawer singles humi and nothing else has anything on it.

[Smallclub]

Put the humidor directly under a light and leave it on for 24-48 hours, light kills mold.

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

[El Catador]

I've been struck down with mould last weekend. It was on a cohiba robusto that was in it's box. so can i assume from that that it picked up spores elsewhere? I have 65% heartfelt beads and a calibrated hygrometer whichs reads 65+- 1 deg. The White fluffy stuff glowed nicely under a uv light.

Hi Pooh

This may be a daft question (its my forte), but when you say 'box' are you talking about wooden or cardboard?

One thing worth mentioning when discussing 'how to avoid mould' is temperature - the higher it gets the more likely it'll flourish.
In my experience anything over 21 degrees centigrade is worrying.

[Puff Scotty]

Poor old Bambini, you have my sympathy, nobody reads the answers either!

Please, oh please, could someone just read through the questions I asked a few posts ago

The White fluffy stuff glowed nicely under a uv light.

Any idea what wavelength it flouressed at?

[PoohBore]

I've been struck down with mould last weekend. It was on a cohiba robusto that was in it's box. so can i assume from that that it picked up spores elsewhere? I have 65% heartfelt beads and a calibrated hygrometer whichs reads 65+- 1 deg. The White fluffy stuff glowed nicely under a uv light.

[Stevieboy]

If it wipes off easily it's plume. If not, it's mould or you ate sugar-doughnuts the last time you handled them

I've had plume on young boxes before...even as young as two years old.