Beware. bamboo skewers might introduce mold -

Encanto Farms Nursery > Categories > Beware. bamboo skewers might introduce mold

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SoniSoni Registered: 1362273241 Posts: 777	1385758045 I used a couple of those bamboo skewers in my cutting cups to hold the domes (bottomless plastic bottles) from touching the cuttings in the cups. In 3 days time a small cloud of mold grew at the soil line of each skewer. The soil was on the dry side and they were getting window light. No other mold in sight yet. I'm going to watch closely and keep the domes off as much as possible and hope it wont spread to the cuttings. In hindsight, those sticks should probaly be disinfected before using around cuttings, I never thought to do that.
gorgi Registered: 1188888396 Posts: 2,864	1385995596 Me too! I have used those 12" long 1/8" diameter bamboo skewers . When used in the [dry] open just for support - no problems. When used inside any confined damp/moist space (e.g., a vented dome) - dark grey mold develops within a few days! I guess that they come already infected with mold-spores (mostly from China). Funny, their purpose is to help cook food for us humans - but fire does kill everything... Probably soaking them (skewers) in full strength-bleach should clean them up for all gardening purposes. Bamboos in general are a very useful/strong form of (another) wood form. Bamboo stakes with that outer tough 'skin' are almost indestructible.
bullet08 Registered: 1284496248 Posts: 6,920	1385997030 yeah.. used it once, and only once. nasty stuff grow on those bamboo sticks. tried cup, and bag also.. not worth the effort. home made humidity dome using two large plastic box works the best. just make sure to clean them after each batch.
WillsC Registered: 1348087628 Posts: 1,698	1385998777 I grow a lot of bamboo so use a lot of stakes from it. The mold happens because bamboo is a grass and so has a lot of natural carbohydrates for the fungus to feed on. Even if you clean it with bleach the fungus will still happen as the fungus spores are all around us. Just is not a good material to use inside an enclosed humid environment.
Grasa Registered: 1347083219 Posts: 1,819	1386007003 It is rather curious that every nursery out there, uses them to support plants (Grapes, kiwi and other climbing plants) as well as other plants and fruit trees.
snaglpus Registered: 1244258188 Posts: 4,072	1386007416 Guys, just spray the wood with Physan 20/water mixture. Your mold problem will completely disappear. You guys need to really check this stuff out.
WillsC Registered: 1348087628 Posts: 1,698	1386007799 Grasa, The stakes are fine for the uses you mentioned. It is when you put the bamboo inside a very humid environment like inside a plastic bag or plastic dome that you will have issues.