*alternatively spelled ‘mould’*
(UK / NZ / AU / ZA / IN / CA / IE)
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*a ‘mold’ s a ‘fungus’ that grows in the form of ‘multi-cellular filaments’ called ‘hyphae’*
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“HI fee”
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*TYPES* –>
(botrytis)
(“grey mold”)
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In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts.
Molds are a large and taxonomically diverse number of fungal species in which the growth of hyphae results in discoloration and a fuzzy appearance, especially on food
The network of these tubular branching hyphae, called a mycelium, is considered a single organism.
The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface.
Cross-walls (septa) may delimit connected compartments along the hyphae, each containing one or multiple, genetically identical nuclei.
The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse production of asexual spores (conidia) formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae.
The mode of formation and shape of these spores is traditionally used to classify molds
Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life-cycle.
Molds are considered to be microbes and do not form a specific taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping, but can be found in the divisions Zygomycota and Ascomycota. In the past, most molds were classified within the Deuteromycota.[5] Mold had been used as a common name for now non-fungal groups such as water molds or slime molds that were previously classified as fungi.[6][7][8]
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Molds cause biodegradation of natural materials, which can be unwanted when it becomes food spoilage or damage to property. They also play important roles in biotechnology and food science in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals and enzymes. Some diseases of animals and humans can be caused by certain molds: disease may result from allergic sensitivity to mold spores, from growth of pathogenic molds within the body, or from the effects of ingested or inhaled toxic compounds (mycotoxins) produced by molds.[1]
Biology[edit]
There are thousands of known species of molds, which have diverse life-styles including saprotrophs, mesophiles, psychrophiles and thermophiles and a very few opportunistic pathogens of humans.[9] They all require moisture for growth and some live in aquatic environments. Like all fungi, molds derive energy not through photosynthesis but from the organic matter on which they live, utilising heterotrophy. Typically, molds secrete hydrolytic enzymes, mainly from the hyphal tips. These enzymes degrade complex biopolymers such as starch, cellulose and lignin into simpler substances which can be absorbed by the hyphae. In this way, molds play a major role in causing decomposition of organic material, enabling the recycling of nutrients throughout ecosystems. Many molds also synthesise mycotoxins and siderophores which, together with lytic enzymes, inhibit the growth of competing microorganisms. Molds can also grow on stored food for animals and humans, making the food unpalatable or toxic and are thus a major source of food losses and illness.[10] Many strategies for food preservation (salting, pickling, jams, bottling, freezing, drying) are to prevent or slow mold growth as well as growth of other microbes.
Molds reproduce by producing large numbers of small spores,[9] which may contain a single nucleus or be multinucleate. Mold spores can be asexual (the products of mitosis) or sexual (the products of meiosis); many species can produce both types. Some molds produce small, hydrophobic spores that are adapted for wind dispersal and may remain airborne for long periods; in some the cell walls are darkly pigmented, providing resistance to damage by ultraviolet radiation. Other mold spores have slimy sheaths and are more suited to water dispersal. Mold spores are often spherical or ovoid single cells, but can be multicellular and variously shaped. Spores may cling to clothing or fur; some are able to survive extremes of temperature and pressure.
Although molds can grow on dead organic matter everywhere in nature, their presence is visible to the unaided eye only when they form large colonies. A mold colony does not consist of discrete organisms but is an interconnected network of hyphae called a mycelium. All growth occurs at hyphal tips, with cytoplasm and organelles flowing forwards as the hyphae advance over or through new food sources. Nutrients are absorbed at the hyphal tip. In artificial environments such as buildings, humidity and temperature are often stable enough to foster the growth of mold colonies, commonly seen as a downy or furry coating growing on food or other surfaces.
Few molds can begin growing at temperatures of 4 °C (39 °F) or below, so food is typically refrigerated at this temperature.
When conditions do not enable growth to take place, molds may remain alive in a dormant state depending on the species, within a large range of temperatures.
The many different mold species vary enormously in their tolerance to temperature and humidity extremes.
Certain molds can survive harsh conditions such as the snow-covered soils of Antarctica, refrigeration, highly acidic solvents, anti-bacterial soap and even petroleum products such as jet fuel
Xerophilic molds are able to grow in relatively dry, salty, or sugary environments, where water activity (aw) is less than 0.85; other molds need more moisture
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Common molds
Spores from green mold growing on an orange, 1000× wet mount
Common genera of molds include:
Acremonium
Alternaria
Aspergillus
Cladosporium
Fusarium
Mucor
Penicillium
Rhizopus
Stachybotrys
Trichoderma
Trichophyton
Food production[edit]
The Kōji (麹) molds are a group of Aspergillus species, notably Aspergillus oryzae, and secondarily A. sojae, that have been cultured in eastern Asia for many centuries. They are used to ferment a soybean and wheat mixture to make soybean paste and soy sauce. Koji molds break down the starch in rice, barley, sweet potatoes, etc., a process called saccharification, in the production of sake, shōchū and other distilled spirits. Koji molds are also used in the preparation of Katsuobushi.
Red rice yeast is a product of the mold Monascus purpureus grown on rice, and is common in Asian diets. The yeast contains several compounds collectively known as monacolins, which are known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis.[13] A study has shown that red rice yeast used as a dietary supplement, combined with fish oil and healthy lifestyle changes, may help reduce “bad” cholesterol as effectively as certain commercial statin drugs.[14] Nonetheless, other work has shown it may not be reliable (perhaps due to non-standardization) and even toxic to liver and kidneys.[15]
Some sausages, such as salami, incorporate starter cultures of molds [16] to improve flavour and reduce bacterial spoilage during curing. Penicillium nalgiovense, for example, may appear as a powdery white coating on some varieties of dry-cured sausage.
Other molds that have been used in food production include:
Fusarium venenatum – quorn
Geotrichum candidum – cheese
Neurospora sitophila – oncom
Penicillium spp. – various cheeses including Brie and Blue cheese
Rhizomucor miehei – microbial rennet for making vegetarian and other cheeses
Rhizopus oligosporus – tempeh
Rhizopus oryzae – tempeh, jiuqu for jiuniang or precursor for making Chinese rice wine
Pharmaceuticals from molds[edit]
Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of the antibiotic penicillin involved a Penicillium mold called Penicillium rubrum (although the species was later established to be Penicillium rubens).[17][18][19] Fleming continued to investigate Penicillin, showing that it could inhibit various types of bacteria found in infections and other ailments, but he was unable to produce the compound in large enough amounts necessary for production of a medicine.[20] His work was expanded by a team at Oxford University; Clutterbuck, Lovell, and Raistrick, who began to work on the problem in 1931. This team was also unable to produce the pure compound in any large amount, and found that the purification process diminished its effectiveness and negated the anti-bacterial properties it had.[20]
Howard Florey, Ernst Chain, Norman Heatley, Edward Abraham, also all at Oxford, continued the work.[20] They enhanced and developed the concentration technique by using organic solutions rather than water, and created the “Oxford Unit” to measure penicillin concentration within a solution. They managed to purify the solution, increasing its concentration by 45–50 times, but found that a higher concentration was possible. Experiments were conducted and the results published in 1941, though the quantities of Penicillin produced were not always high enough for the treatments required.[20] As this was during the Second World War, Florey sought USA Government involvement. With research teams in the UK and some in the US, industrial-scale production of crystallized penicillin was developed during 1941–1944 by the USDA and by Pfizer.[17][21]
Several statin cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as lovastatin, from Aspergillus terreus) are derived from molds.[22]
The immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine, used to suppress the rejection of transplanted organs, is derived from the mold Tolypocladium inflatum.
Health effects[edit]
Molds are ubiquitous, and mold spores are a common component of household and workplace dust; however, when mold spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems.[23]
Some molds also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Some studies claim that exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases, death.[24] Prolonged exposure, e.g. daily home exposure, may be particularly harmful. Research on the health impacts of mold has not been conclusive.[25] The term “toxic mold” refers to molds that produce mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys chartarum, and not to all molds in general.[26]
Mold in the home can usually be found in damp, dark or steamy areas, e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, cluttered storage areas, recently flooded areas, basement areas, plumbing spaces, areas with poor ventilation and outdoors in humid environments. Symptoms caused by mold allergy are: watery, itchy eyes; a chronic cough; headaches or migraines; difficulty breathing; rashes; tiredness; sinus problems; nasal blockage and frequent sneezing.
Molds can also pose a hazard to human and animal health when they are consumed following the growth of certain mold species in stored food. Some species produce toxic secondary metabolites, collectively termed mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, citrinin, and patulin. These toxic properties may be used for the benefit of humans when the toxicity is directed against other organisms; for example, penicillin adversely affects the growth of Gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Clostridium spe
cies), certain spirochetes and certain fungi.[27]
Growth in buildings and homes[edit]
Moldy housecorner from outside and inside
Mold growth in buildings generally occurs as fungi colonize porous building materials, such as wood.[28] Many building products commonly incorporate paper, wood products, or solid wood members, such as paper-covered drywall, wood cabinets, and insulation. Interior mold colonization can lead to a variety of health problems as microscopic airborne reproductive spores, analogous to tree pollen, are inhaled by building occupants. High quantities of indoor airborne spores as compared to exterior conditions are strongly suggestive of indoor mold growth.[29] Determination of airborne spore counts is accomplished by way of an air sample, in which a specialized pump with a known flow rate is operated for a known period of time. To account for background levels, air samples should be drawn from the affected area, a control area, and the exterior.tttt
The air sampler pump draws in air and deposits microscopic airborne particles on a culture medium. The medium is cultured in a laboratory and the fungal genus and species are determined by visual microscopic observation. Laboratory results also quantify fungal growth by way of a spore count for comparison among samples. The pump operation time is recorded and when multiplied by pump flow rate results in a specific volume of air obtained. Although a small volume of air is actually analyzed, common laboratory reports extrapolate the spore count data to estimate spores that would be present in a cubic meter of air.[30]
Various practices can be followed to mitigate mold issues in buildings, the most important of which is to reduce moisture levels that can facilitate mold growth.[26] Properly functioning air conditioning (AC) units are essential to controlling levels of indoor airborne fungal spores. Air filtration reduces the number of spores available for germination, especially when a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is used. A properly functioning AC unit also reduces the relative humidity in rooms.[31] The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently recommends that relative humidity be maintained below 60%, ideally between 30% to 50%, to inhibit mold growth.[32] Considering that fungal growth requires cellulose, plant fiber, as a food source, using building materials that do not contain cellulose is an effective method of preventing fungal growth.
Eliminating the moisture source is the first step at fungal remediation. Removal of affected materials may also be necessary for remediation, if materials are easily replaceable and not part of the load-bearing structure. Professional drying of concealed wall cavities and enclosed spaces such as cabinet toekick spaces may be required. Post-remediation verification of moisture content and fungal growth is required for successful remediation. Many contractors perform post-remediation verification themselves, but property owners may benefit from independent verification.
Use in art[edit]
Del Nero artwork using mold
Various artists have used mold in various artistic fashions. Daniele Del Nero, for example, constructs scale models of houses and office buildings and then induces mold to grow on them, giving them an unsettling, reclaimed-by-nature look.[33] Stacy Levy sandblasts enlarged images of mold onto glass, then allows mold to grow in the crevasses she has made, creating a macro-micro portrait.[34] Sam Taylor-Johnson has made a number of time-lapse films capturing the gradual decay of classically arranged still lifes.[35]
See also[edit]
Bioaerosol
Decay – The process in which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic matter
Indoor mold – Fungal growth that develops on wet materials
Medicinal fungi
Mildew
Mold mite
Mycorrhiza – Symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant
Oomycete – Fungus-like organism
Slime mold
Water mold
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b Moore D, Robson GD, Trinci AP, eds. (2011). 21st Century Guidebook to Fungi (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521186957.
^ Madigan M, Martinko J, eds. (2005). Brock Biology of Microorganisms (11th ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-144329-7. OCLC 57001814.
^ Morgan, Mike. “Moulds”. Microscopy UK. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ Chiba University, Japan. “Fungus and Actinomycetes Gallery”. Chiba University Medical Mycology Research Center. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ Hibbett DS, Binder M, Bischoff JF, Blackwell M, Cannon PF, Eriksson OE, et al. (2007). “A higher level phylogenetic classification of the Fungi” (PDF). Mycological Research. 111 (5): 509–547. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.626.9582. doi:10.1016/j.mycres.2007.03.004. PMID 17572334. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-26.
^ “Slime Molds”. herbarium.usu.edu. Utah State University. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
^ “Slime Molds: Myxomycetes” (PDF). Cornell University. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
^ “Introduction to the Oomycota”. ucmp.berkeley.edu. UC Berkeley. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
^ Jump up to: a b Ryan KJ, Ray CG, eds. (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 633–8. ISBN 978-0-8385-8529-0.
^ Wareing, Peter. “The Fungal Infection of Agricultural Produce and the Production of Mycotoxins”. European Mycotoxins Awareness Network. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
^ Malloch, D. (1981). Moulds : their isolation, cultivation and identification. Toronto Canada: Univ. of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0-8020-2418-3.
^ Pitt JI, Hocking AD (2009). “Xerophiles”. Fungi and Food Spoilage. London: Springer. pp. 339–355. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-92207-2_9. ISBN 978-0-387-92206-5.
^ “Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus)”. Mayo Clinic. 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
^ “Study: Red Rice Yeast Helps Cut Bad Cholesterol”. National Public Radio. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
^ Red Yeast Rice Preparations: Are They Suitable Substitutions for Statins?, Dujovne, CA,Am J Med. 2017 Oct;130(10):1148-1150. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.05.013. Epub 2017 Jun 7.
^ Sunesen LO, Stahnke LH (November 2003). “Mould starter cultures for dry sausages—selection, application and effects”. Meat Science. 65 (3): 935–948. doi:10.1016/S0309-1740(02)00281-4. PMID 22063673.
^ Jump up to: a b “The Nobel Prize website”. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ Houbraken, Jos; Frisvad, Jens C.; Samson, Robert A. (2011). “Fleming’s penicillin producing strain is not Penicillium chrysogenum but P. rubens”. IMA Fungus. 2 (1): 87–95. doi:10.5598/imafungus.2011.02.01.12. PMC 3317369. PMID 22679592.
^ Houbraken, J.; Frisvad, J.C.; Seifert, K.A.; Overy, D.P.; Tuthill, D.M.; Valdez, J.G.; Samson, R.A. (2012-12-31). “New penicillin-producing Penicillium species and an overview of section Chrysogena”. Persoonia – Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi. 29 (1): 78–100. doi:10.3767/003158512X660571. PMC 3589797. PMID 23606767.
^ Jump up to: a b c d “Award Ceremony Speech”. Nobel Prizes and Laureates. Nobel Media. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
^ “Pfizer’s work on penicillin for World War II becomes a National Historic Chemical Landmark”. American Chemical Society. June 12, 2008.
^ Cox, Russell J.; Simpson, Thomas J. (2010). “Fungal Type I Polyketides”. Comprehensive Natural Products II. p. 355. doi:10.1016/B978-008045382-8.00017-4. ISBN 9780080453828. Lovastatin (also known as mevinolin) is produced by Aspergillus terreus
^ Gent, Janneane F; Ren, Ping; Belanger, Kathleen; Triche, Elizabeth; Bracken, Michael B; Holford, Theodore R; Leaderer, Brian P (December 2002). “Levels of household mold associated with respiratory symptoms in the first year of life in a cohort at risk for asthma”. Environmental Health Perspectives. 110 (12): A781–6. doi:10.1289/ehp.021100781. ISSN 0091-6765. PMC 1241132. PMID 12460818.
^ Empting, L. D. (2009). “Neurologic and neuropsychiatric syndrome features of mold and mycotoxin exposure”. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 25 (9–10): 577–81. doi:10.1177/0748233709348393. PMID 19854819.
^ Money, Nicholas (2004). Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores: A Natural History of Toxic Mold. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 178. ISBN 978-0-19-517227-0.
^ Jump up to: a b Indoor Environmental Quality: Dampness and Mold in Buildings. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. August 1, 2008.
^ Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, Blood and Studdert, 1999
^ Fairey, Philip; Chandra, Subrato; Moyer, Neil. “Mold Growth”. Florida Solar Energy Center. University of Central Florida. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
^ IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration
^ “Prestige EnviroMicrobiology, Inc”. prestige-em.com. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
^ “Facts About Mold”. www.aiha.org. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
^ “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home”. US EPA. Archived from the original on January 6, 2020. Click on “Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips”.
^ Solon, Olivia (30 November 2010). “Artist uses mould to create decayed architectural models”. Wired UK. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
^ “The Art of Mould”. Discard Studies. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
^ “Still Life, 2001”. Sam Taylor-Johnson. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mold.
The EPA’s guide to mold
en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Mold
Mold
Contributors to Wikimedia projects19-24 minutes 5/5/2002
DOI: 10.1016/j.mycres.2007.03.004, Show Details
This article is about primarily the fungi known as mold.
Slime molds and water molds are not fungi and are discussed in separate articles.
For other uses, see Mold (disambiguation)
Time-lapse photography sequence of a peach becoming progressively discolored and disfigured
The frames were taken approximately 12 hours apart over a period of six days.
Several species of mold growing on a slice of bread.
Hyphae growing from tomato sauce and boiled rice.
www.leafly.com /learn/growing/troubleshooting/bud-rot-mold-root-rot
Identifying Bud Rot, Mold & Root Rot on Marijuana Plants
Leafly
15-19 minutes
.
*INFECTS CANNABIS PLANTS*
.
*IDENTIFIYING ‘BUD ROT’*
(leafly link)
After growing weed for long enough, at some point you will encounter bud rot, mold, root rot, or all three.
It’s important to know how to identify each of these common problems and how to fix them.
These issues can stunt your plants and ruin buds, damaging your crop and reducing yields.
Diagnosing and treating bud rot and mold on marijuana plants
There’s nothing worse than going through months of time and labor to grow weed only to discover mold on it.
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Also called botrytis, or bud rot, mold can be hard to see on your buds
.
What is bud rot?
Bud rot is a type of mold that develops in the dense cores of cannabis buds.
It starts on the stem inside of the bud and spreads outward, and it’s difficult to detect in its early stages.
It typically occurs on plants in the flowering stage.
bud rot
(Aaron Rogosin for Outer Elements Photography)
After onset, bud rot breaks down the surrounding bud and then produces spores which spread to other areas of the plant or grow space.
The rot will first appear white and wispy and then turn grey and black as the bud turns mushy and slimy.
Once a bud begins to mold, it is no longer safe for consumption and must be discarded.
Growers usually cut out the infected area of the plant and to let it continue to grow.
Because it is caused by moisture buildup, you may be able to save the rest of the plant.
But be sure to inspect the rest of the plant for it.
However, if the infection is widespread, you may have to cut down the whole plant to protect the rest of your crop.
Mold will commonly occur in outdoor cannabis gardens after a heavy rainfall, especially toward the end of the season when buds are large and dense.
To spot mold in your cured product, keep an eye out when breaking apart buds.
You should be able to clearly identify it on the inside of buds.
Discard the plant material when you find it.
You’ll also be able to smell mold in buds—it will smell musty, wet, and old, and leave a sour taste in the back of your throat
.
What causes bud rot in cannabis plants?
The best way to prevent mold or bud rot on your cannabis plant is to understand the conditions that allow mold to thrive
High humidity
Mild temperatures
Poor ventilation
Dense foliage
Dense buds
Weak immune systems in plants
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How to prevent bud rot and mold in cannabis plants
Molds are fungi that develop in warm, damp, and humid conditions.
They develop from spores, which travel through the air, unseen to the naked eye.
Mold is actually important in the ecosystem because it breaks down dead plant material, but you don’t want it on your buds.
The only way to prevent bud rot is to make sure the growing environment isn’t too damp or humid.
You can invest in a dehumidifier if it’s too humid, and if it’s too hot, you may also need an AC unit.
If you see bud rot developing, you can also harvest plants early, so it doesn’t spread to the entire plant.
Once your plant has bud rot, there’s no way to get rid of it;
you have to discard the infected parts of the plant.
Bud rot prevention begins with the type of marijuana strain you select to grow.
Sativas, having adapted to humid equatorial regions, tend to grow light, wispy, airy buds.
With improved air flow in the buds, sativas often have superior mold resistance.
Indicas, on the other hand, adapted to the dry mountainous regions of Asia and grow denser buds that are more susceptible to mold if introduced to a humid climate.
If humidity control is a concern, consider growing a strain that has more airy, mold-resistant buds
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Other ways to reduce the chances of mold in your garden include:
Pruning plants
Spacing plants properly
Watering plants appropriately
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Pruning and training plants can also help prevent bud rot.
Humidity is higher in dense and crowded grow spaces—think about walking through a dense jungle versus an open forest.
By pruning plants effectively, airflow increases, reducing moisture collection.
You can also trellis or scrog your plants to spread out branches.
Plants with healthy immune systems are more likely to fend off mold growth.
Growing organically with diverse nutrients can help increase beneficial microbes in the soil and help keep plant immune systems strong and ready to fight infections.
Most important of all, protecting plants from excessive moisture is key in the battle against bud rot.
Also, watering plants in the morning can help prevent humidity in the garden when the sun goes down or when lights turn off later in the day
.
Indoor mold prevention
The best way to prevent mold growth is to ensure a consistent climate in your grow room.
Fans, dehumidifiers, temperature control systems, and ventilation can keep humidity down, increase airflow, and maintain steady temperatures.
This will create a stable environment and increase the overall health of your plants.
Pruning and spacing will increase airflow through your canopy, which helps reduce humidity.
If you overwater plants, this will increase the humidity level, as plants will be unable to absorb water, making water evaporate into the air and stay in the room.
Giving plants incorrect nutrients can weaken their immune systems and make them more prone to attack from molds
.
Outdoor mold prevention
When growing outdoors, you’re more limited in protecting your cannabis garden from mold without the ability to control climate.
Appropriate spacing, pruning, and feeding are essential to protecting your crop.
When marijuana plants are in their final homes—either final containers or in the ground—stake, cage, or trellis plants to keep branches spaced apart and to increase airflow.
Additionally, pruning bottoms and insides of plants is especially important outdoors, to allow air to flow underneath the canopy.
Growing in a greenhouse outdoors can help protect against bud rot.
After a heavy rainfall, it’s beneficial to lightly shake each plant to get the water off.
Preventing bud rot and mold in the cannabis drying room
Efforts to prevent bud rot do not stop once buds have been harvested.
Mold can also occur as cannabis buds dry and cure
.
Here are a few tips:
As you harvest, check colas for rot.
If you find mold, discard the infected area while saving the rest.
Harvest after a dry spell.
If growing outside, it’s ideal to harvest when it hasn’t rained for a few days so buds have a lower moisture content.
Wet trim
pull off fan leaves and trim buds before drying.
Doing so will reduce the moisture in your drying room and increase airflow to drying buds.
Leave space between hanging branches as they dry.
You can also place fans in the room to improve airflow and use humidifiers to pull moisture out of the air.
Create an optimal drying environment.
When drying, a dark space with temperature between 60-70°F and humidity between 50-65%.
Adjust drying speed if necessary.
Generally speaking, drying is not something you want to rush as THCA is still converting and the chlorophyll is still breaking down.
A slow drying process is generally associated with a tastier and smoother smoke.
However, if you’re finding mold in your harvested cannabis, speeding up the drying time by increasing temperature and decreasing humidity could save the rest of your crop from mold growth.
If you do find bud rot, everyone trimming needs to start looking for mold.
Anything that is at all questionable should be set aside to be inspected with more scrutiny.
Mold can be detrimental, but it is also preventable with the right tactics and attention to detail.
But don’t get discouraged if a little mold shows up in your garden!
Many large-scale outdoor farmers have to assume a percentage of loss due to mold as it is difficult to prevent entirely.
Remember to check your garden daily, and think about where and when mold will show up.
Diagnosing and treating powdery mildew on marijuana
powdery mildew on cannabis
(Aaron Rogosin for Outer Elements Photography)
Powdery mildew, or PM, is a common disease that shows up as a white powder on the surface of marijuana leaves and buds while a plant is growing.
It can show up on plants in the vegetative or flowering stages.
It usually starts on lower branches, which receive less sun and airflow.
Once it appears, it spreads rapidly and can quickly make its way onto buds.
Fortunately, because powdery mildew is so visible, it’s rare for a plant to die from it.
But it will still make buds unsmokable, and you want to get rid of it as quickly as you can.
It can spread throughout all your plants quickly if nothing is done.
PM loves to develop on unhealthy plants, and it will thrive without quality airflow in your grow space.
To an untrained eye, the beginnings of powdery mildew might look like young trichomes.
If you suspect it, use a magnifying glass to examine your buds—you’ll see a stark difference between white mold and beautiful trichomes.
How to prevent and treat powdery mildew on cannabis
Spray plants with organic fungicides
Prune plants to remove foliage and increase airflow
Spray compost tea or solutions with varying pH levels to disrupt the spread of the disease
Note which strains are susceptible to PM and grow a different one next time
If your cannabis garden does become infected with powdery mildew, a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and water can sterilize harvested plants and remove the mildew.
This is a painstaking process, but it can save a crop.
Diagnosing and treating root rot on marijuana
Root rot is a serious issue that can take hold of a marijuana plant.
Roots provide a network for collecting and transferring water, oxygen, and nutrients to the rest of the growing plant.
When plants are overwatered and lack sufficient drainage, roots essentially drown, can’t take in oxygen, and start to die off.
Without developed roots, a marijuana plant won’t grow properly.
Under-watering weed plants can also cause roots to die off.
Healthy roots require a balance of water and time to dry out to take in oxygen.
Root rot is nearly impossible to fix and results in nutrient-deficient and stunted plants.
You will most likely have to discard the plant entirely if it develops root rot.
In hydroponic systems, you can check roots—
if they’re brown in color, slimy, and lack vigor, they may have root rot.
How to prevent root rot in marijuana plants
marijuana plant root rot
Root rot. (NokHoOkNoi/AdobeStock)
You can lessen the risk of root rot with some preventative measures:
Have healthy soil with beneficial microbe and bacteria populations.
These populations help keep the fungus responsible for root rot under control.
Water your plants correctly.
This means measuring the amount of water given each plant and observing day to day how plants respond.
It’s better to see a plant begin to wilt than to overwater plants.
Have breathable soil.
Growing in smart pots and adding perlite to soil are two ways to help facilitate oxygen flow and allow soil to drain properly
How to improve the health of your marijuana plant’s roots
Without a functioning root system, the basic functions of a cannabis plant will fail and make the plant weak and sick.
When a plant is young, many gardeners choose to focus on the development of its roots rather than the actual plant to give the plant a strong foundation
Here are some tips to keep the roots of cannabis plants healthy.
Oxygen
Roots uptake oxygen during cellular respiration, a process in which ATP energy is created.
Without oxygen, the plant won’t be able to create energy needed for it and roots to keep growing.
To keep a healthy flow of oxygen into the root system:
Let soil dry in between waterings.
When soil is saturated, it can’t breathe effectively;
as it dries up, roots pull in oxygen.
Dry periods between waterings are essential for oxygen absorption.
Use a smart pot
these pots are made of a porous material that allows oxygen in through the sides.
Plants buried in the ground or in hard pots are limited to intaking oxygen from the surface.
Add perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss.
These materials help fluff up soil, giving more space for oxygen to flow through and to keep soil from compacting.
Use complete soils.
These promote life for fungus, insects, and microbes that help keep soil loose, allowing for the development of root networks throughout soil
In hydroponic systems, make sure your roots are always submerged in water, and measure dissolved oxygen with a meter to make sure plants are receiving enough.
When growing outdoors, if tilling soil, make sure to keep off the soil as much as possible to prevent it from compacting, which prevents oxygen flow.
Warmth
Roots are active at night and happiest around 75°F (24°C).
With an indoor setup, a good tip is to set up air intake below the canopy and exhaust above the canopy to keep a fresh, healthy cycle of air.
If growing outdoors, growing a cover crop—like clover—with cannabis can keep soil temperature more consistent while also protecting the topsoil layer.
Spreading mulch or hay around the base of plants can also help regulate temperature, but be sure to keep a 6-inch radius around the stalk of each plant free, as excessive moisture in mulch can lead to rot if it touches the stalk.
Proper watering
Roots are constantly on the hunt for water as they grow and move farther away from the main taproot.
As a plant gets bigger, so should the watering radius—the area around the stalk of the plant that you water.
Doing this will help guide roots to the edges of the pot as they seek available nutrients in soil.
But watering too far away from where roots currently are can create standing water, which can lead to root rot, mold, and pest issues.
Topsoil should be sufficiently dry before watering the plant again.
To see if a plant is ready for more water, feel for dryness by putting your finger 1-2 inches down.
Choose the right container
Roots need plenty of space as they grow out and explore for water, oxygen, and nutrients.
When cramped, a plant’s root system can strangle itself, becoming rootbound.
Roots can begin to die off and root rot can set in, possibly killing the plant entirely.
Be sure to put a plant in a big enough pot, anticipating how big it’ll get by harvest time.
If a plant gets too big for its original pot, transplant it to a bigger one, adding more soil.
If planting in the ground, it’s even more important to give it plenty of space, as you won’t be able to move it.
To see if a pot is too small, observe the roots from the drainage holes—if roots are crossing over the holes, it’s time to transplant to a bigger pot.
Be sure to check roots before flowering, as the plant shouldn’t be moved or repotted during that time.
Give your roots some friends
Plant roots interact directly with mycelium, the substance mushrooms sprout from.
Mycelium helps make nutrients available to plant roots and helps roots find water.
In exchange, a plant sends down carbon, helping mycelium grow and expand its own network.
This symbiotic relationship—called mycorrhiza—is important in keeping roots healthy so they can access all available nutrients.
Complete soils contain mycelium and are a good way to start using it.
There are also mycorrhizal powders that can be added to soil when potting plants.
Compost teas will also help keep soil full of beneficial insects, microbes, and bacteria that in turn will help keep nutrients available for roots.
Next time you repot plants, take a moment to observe its roots and see if they need attention.
A healthy root system is critical to growing a healthy cannabis plant, and buds you’ll be proud to harvest.
Trevor Hennings contributed to this article.
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