Can plants cause black mold, humidity damage, etc.?

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Optimist

It sounds like they are trying to create a scape-goat for some reason. Maybe they found black mold in the basement. It takes a huge amount of persistant standing water to create black mold. If your orchids are properly areated, they are no more guilty than cup of coffee would be. Your orchids raise the quality of your life, and keep you mentally healthy. The clean up crew ( which is what they are) needs to stop catastrophising over situations that have not occured.

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:41 PM ----------

If they actually have black mold you should ask to be transferred, as it can lead to upper respiratory distress if you are around it for a long time.

I was actually leaning toward thinking the same! Some kind of HISTORY plagues them. If so, very sad....but in no way an excuse for ignorance; catastrophic events are supposed to move everyone to LEARN.

[Bud]

Plants need humidity they don't produce humidity=the mere fact that plants are thriving in your environment means it is already humid....boiling water for your tea will produce humidity.
Plant is good for your environment since they produce oxygen ....warm moist stagnant environment produces those molds....ask them to buy fans for air circulation so the molds wont thrive.
Humidity especially in winter is good for your sinuses and oxygen in the air is breathable than dry air....

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The humidity coming from a gathering of plants is produced in 2 ways:

1. From the evaporation of water that the potting media has retained.

2. From the transpiration that occurs as part of the plant's physiological processes.

This humidity is not significant enough to either induce nor promote the growth of black mold.

Guys…

The problem is that these people are truly concerned about the black mold problem, but they also know a few things about plant biology that is not wholly correct. The facts have been misconstrued and misinterpreted.

While it is true that a lack of education is involved, it is more precisely the oversimplification of the facts that is the fuel that feeds the fire here.

Before anybody starts questioning what I'm saying, and thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about, or that I'm contradicting myself…

Do know that I've taken a class in botany, so I have an understanding of the basics in plant biology and physiology here.

So if there is a question, ask respectfully, and do the footwork to find out before it gets posted.

---------- Post added at 10:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 PM ----------

If you guys want a better lead as to what I'm talking about, look up:

1. Photosynthesis

2. Calvin Cycle
'
3. Krebs Cycle

4. Transpiration

5. Photorespiration

[katrina]

King is right...plants can and do elevate humidity. He hit the nail on the head...transpiration. If you don't believe this... Transpiration - The Water Cycle, from USGS Water-Science School

With that said, I don't believe 120 plants is enough (on it's own) to cause a mold problem. The fact that you have no condensation on your windows indicates lower humidity in the space but the best thing to do it to get a hygrometer and see what the humidity level reads in the space.

These people who are worried will likely want more "proof" that your plants aren't going to cause a problem so you're best bet is to do some digging around and printing off the information for them to read. There is a ton of info to be found on the web so I'm sure you'll be able to convince them their fears are unfounded.

FWIW - I've been growing in my house for years now...I currently have between 300 and 400 orchids + other plants and...no mold. The plants do raise the humidity a bit...especially at night...but it's not enough or sustained for long enough periods to ever be a problem.

[Ray]

Janni - I believe the folks above have given you enough ammunition to fight the ridiculous claims.

There is one situation that has not been addressed - mold growing in the pot.

If you use organic-based media, molds will thrive in it and will spread their spores, but it is not the same mold as the black stuff growing on damp walls, and will not spread to them. If anyone in the room has asthma, however, it can be a problem.

I ran into a couple at an orchid show a couple of years ago, and he was always afflicted when in his own home. At that same show, a year later, they came to see me, to tell me they converted all of their plants (mostly tropical terrestrials, not orchids) to S/H culture, and the issues went away.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

Perfect! Why do I keep thinking some of these people also believe Plants eat up oxygen.....rather than the OPPOSITE.

I only hope none of them are....OMG, Creationists!

Educate them with a smile!

Nothing wrong with believing in a higher power. If you feel like you HAVE to 'educate people' then dont feel bad when said-creationists show up on your doorstep to do the same thing ;-)

From a purely logical standpoint, it would take the perception and consciousness of all of existence together to see the whole picture and understand the whole truth. If you believe in that (relatively and technically) small space inside of your head so much that you could conclude it contains the entire truth, I invite you to ponder that aforementioned existence.

We choose our beliefs based on our own experiences and observations in the world (hopefully, and hopefully not that we just adopt ideas based on their proximity to us). Nobody has a monopoly on the truth.

The only real knowledge (or the only conclusion one can 'SAFELY' draw) is to know that you (believe much, but) know very little.

Also...orchids and stuff.

[Kuzuri]

Thank you so much, all of you. My hygrometer arrived today, and I tested two other rooms as well as the hallway that leads up to my room before testing my room. The humidity has been fluctuating between 55% and 65%, while the humidity was at 60%-61% in the other rooms and the hallway. Of course, my window has been open, so there's been ventilation all day, but I suspect that the humidity won't raise to scary amounts when the window is shut.

Thank you once again. I really appreciate your help!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Kuzuri

Thank you so much, all of you. My hygrometer arrived today, and I tested two other rooms as well as the hallway that leads up to my room before testing my room. The humidity has been fluctuating between 55% and 65%, while the humidity was at 60%-61% in the other rooms and the hallway. Of course, my window has been open, so there's been ventilation all day, but I suspect that the humidity won't raise to scary amounts when the window is shut.

Thank you once again. I really appreciate your help!

You having done that is the most responsible thing I've heard all month! Out-STANDING!!! I only hope these principals there appreciate it and give you props!!!

Course, given their, I agree, not arbitrary concerns, it is THEY who should buy one of these devices.