Hi Dave and all

> I would like to know a little more... I would have expected a high
> temperature to bake the surface too hard and dry for mould to survive.

The linseed oil does not bake on in a warm climate.  What is a warm climate?
Well here where I am it is currently running around 32 - 36 centigrade with
overnight minimums of 18 - 20.  In winter, it has been known to get down to
minus 8 but usually around 1 - 7 but during the day it will most likely
reach 18 - 20.  As our humidities can be quite high, it is an ideal
condition for moulds to grow.  It is also a good climate for decay fungus.
Boxes not treated with copper naphthenate will start to decay (rot) within 2
years.

Back to the linseed oil.  Our climatic conditions allow these moulds to grow
and linseed oil is a good medium.  Older type house that used to have the
weather boards (outside cladding) treated with a mixture of linseed oil and
a dye would all turn out black, after several years, despite the colour dye
that was put in.

If you do not have the conditions to encourage moulds to grow then you will
not see it.  In the same way that if your conditions don't encourage decay
fungus, then decay will not be a problem in your boxes.  We have these sort
of areas in Australia but it is mainly because they have very low humidities
with high temperatures or alternatively low temperatures with medium
humidity.  Hence no problems.  Decay fungus needs an equilibrium moisture
content (EMC) of around 22% before it can start to act on wood.

Hope this helps.

Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::