Beware. bamboo skewers might introduce mold

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SoniSoni

Registered:1362273241
Posts: 777

Posted 1385758045	Reply with quote #1

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. __________________ Soni GA. 7-8. seeking Galicia Negra, Bianchi Guido, Violette de Sollies, Emerald Strawberry

gorgi

Registered:1188888396
Posts: 2,864

Posted 1385995596	Reply with quote #2

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. __________________ George, NJ_z7a.

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1385997030	Reply with quote #3

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. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1385998777	Reply with quote #4

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

Posted 1386007003	Reply with quote #5

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. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1386007416	Reply with quote #6

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. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1386007799	Reply with quote #7

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.

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