I am going to start teaching a 5th grader privately soon, but her mom reports her reeds are getting moldy. She said they leave it out when she's not playing (I don't know what she uses at school), so unless they store it later, then it's not being sealed with no airflow.

I have never had a mold problem in my life (and I'm 43), but my reed has a few flecks of black on it, too. We live in Georgia. Could there be some local environmental aspect that causes them to mold? What can we do to avoid it? And once it starts, is there anything to do to get rid of it so the reed lasts longer?

I'm wondering if maybe her saliva has something which is making the reeds mould. Does she rinse the reed in water after playing? Maybe this is the problem (although I've never seen mold on a reed, either). Even when I was a dumb high school student in the Texas Gulf Coast - a damp climate also - my reeds never got mould on them, and I didn't do all the niceties I now do, soaking in water instead of my mouth, rinsing after playing, making sure they air dry, etc. It'll be interesting to see what other people say.

I did suggest that they rinse it when she finishes playing. I will ask if she soaks in water or in her mouth. I NEVER soaked in my mouth. I always had clean water (carried a film canister in my case), so that may be a contributing factor. I think I saw the high school students at the concert with their reeds hanging out of their mouths. Maybe I need to educate our beginning band directors in proper reed preparation and care.

The question is: Where does she store the reed between sessions? If stored in the little packing tubes that reeds are sold in with no circulation, the reed will not dry out and you will see mold. First thing you do when you see one of these tubes is punch a hole in it.

Don't worry! I have the solution!
First, if the reeds are molding like within a day, the film canister has to be used. But to stop the mold from growing, ever week drain the water form the canister. In the canister, fill it up with Hydrogen Pyroxide to the level where the water would be. Then put the reed in for 5 to 10 minutes. It starts really bubbling, which is a good thing. Then take out the reed, rinse it, rinse out the canister, and put new water in. Also helps the reed to vibrate better(Dont' ask me why)