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Post by mona on Oct 14, 2020 14:44:38 GMT
The branches I got for the tree stand haven't dried. It's monsoon here and it's difficult to sun dry the branches outside. I didn't want to rush into it, since it's my first DIY tree stand.
Today I observed minor mold growth on few of branches. Do I work on disinfecting the branches again or just throw them away? I am skeptical, if the branches might show mold growth again later (owing to the humid climate here)
It will be always humid at my place. Just wondering, if any of the natural tree branches will develop mold again, later.
Even if I oven dry the branches, will the branches absorb humidity again and develop mold? I will not be able to heat treat them like the timber factory does..
I was so excited about the tree stand for them.. ugh 😔
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Oct 14, 2020 15:17:39 GMT
My personal experience with mold is that it is hard to get rid of once its started growing. I grew up on the east coast of the US where the weather was hot and humid. We had areas that grew mold every year. We'd scrub and get rid of any visible mold and then it would grow back the next year. However, that was many years ago. We now know much more about mold and the disinfectants are much better. I think I would be inclined to try a couple branches. Clean, disinfect, bake out a couple branches and put them aside and see if the mold comes back. Just my humble opinion - maybe others have better knowledge/experience.
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Post by mona on Oct 14, 2020 15:24:36 GMT
tweetiepiesmom I have hardly ever dealt with any mold growth. This is a new place for us too.. and they say that here, it rains all year round! I can try disinfecting it again and also, wait on other's opinion as well..
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Mar 28, 2024 13:01:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2020 22:46:52 GMT
What colour is the mould? If it's black I would throw the branches away, if green/yellow (most likely an algae) disinfect the branches with 2% vinegar (white vinegar is best) & water (hot or cold, it doesn't matter). Spray or pour onto the branches, leave to dry (in the sun or oven). If the mould grows back, strip the bark off & use sandpaper to smooth the surface & treat as above.
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Post by Hezz on Oct 15, 2020 1:15:47 GMT
mona, I live in the tropics and have to deal with mould all the time. I wouldn't be throwing anything away yet. The way I see it you have two choices; well, three if you want to throw everything away and start again. The first is to throw away and then you are back to square one. The second is to put it all away until after the monsoon season and then start again, but before taking that step I would try a third, and that is if anything can be dried in the oven (size may not allow) then do so, but only after giving everything another good scrub followed by a vinegar soak. If they don't fit into the oven, that's okay, use something like a pedestal fan to dry off (as best as possible). Then, include the tree in your weekly cleaning session - either wipe over or spray with a vinegar solution and dry under the fan. As time goes on, you'll probably be able to leave longer between cleans. The thing is that these will be moulds that are naturally occurring on the branches and it is very unlikely that they are dangerous to the birds, but of course you don't want to take that risk.
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Post by mona on Oct 15, 2020 4:51:47 GMT
Thank you @cal, tweetiepiesmom and Hezz for the inputs. @cal the mold color seems to be green in color. It's very light yet. I'll disinfect it again.. Hezz I would definitely try the third option.. Will disinfect it again and oven bake smaller branches and rest under the fan. Do you mean I can disinfect and dry it off and assemble for bird's usage & clean it on a weekly schedule? I would love to do that.. If so, how much time do I need to keep the tree away from the birds post cleaning - not sure if I can use vinegar in the presence of birds. I guess the current mold has taken more than 2 weeks to appear, so cleaning it before that might prevent it altogether. I wouldn't want to throw it away, if it can be utilized it in anyway.. Would feel bad about hurting the trees just to throw it all away! 🙈
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Post by Hezz on Oct 15, 2020 22:19:17 GMT
Vinegar is perfectly safe for the bird in a dilute form (say 1 in 10). I will admit to not measuring mine so that is a guess - I upend the bottle for a good "gloop" or two of vinegar into what is about 2-3 litres of water.
Do you mean I can disinfect and dry it off and assemble for bird's usage & clean it on a weekly schedule? Yes this is what I mean. Dry off under the fan after cleaning and it will be safe for the birds to use. It would likely be safe for them to use without drying, but I would still dry it off anyway. If you keep the cleaning routine regular you will gradually get rid of all/most of the spores so that your cleaning will probably last longer over time. If you can't do so, or forget for a couple of weeks and the fungi grows back, just do the same again. With this cleaning routine, you shouldn't need to disassemble each and every time - a spray down and wipe over should do the trick.
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Post by mona on Oct 16, 2020 5:21:50 GMT
I can definitely keep up with the cleaning activity (I'm kind of partial OCD 🙈).
This is such a great news. I'll get going.. 🥰
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Post by mona on Nov 3, 2020 4:11:16 GMT
Just to acknowledge, disinfection worked well with the branches.. I didn't assemble it together until yesterday and have been just disinfecting and observing it. Fortunately, Sun showed up.. so a little sun drying has happened everyday too. The branches seem fine!
Thanks for the guidance everyone! 🥰
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