What it is
Fungi that grow on the buds when there is too much moisture, either while drying or inside the container. The most common are botrytis (gray) and other white or greenish molds.
How to tell
Gray, white or greenish fuzz on the bud or inside it, dark spots and a smell of damp, cellar or ammonia. Watch out: white fuzz is not trichomes. Trichomes sparkle like frost; mold looks like cotton or cobweb without any shine.
Why it is serious
You can't "clean" it: the fungus gets inside the bud. What has mold gets thrown out. Smoking or consuming it can cause respiratory problems, especially in people with weak immune systems.
How to prevent it
Dry at the right humidity (55 to 62 %), don't jar before it passes the stem test, open the containers the first weeks and don't pack them tight. Humidity packs and a tiny hygrometer inside the jar help a lot.
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While drying it shows up if the air is above 60 % humidity and the bud is still wet; hanging the whole plant makes it more likely. In the container it shows up if the moisture inside goes over 15 % (from jarring it wet or not opening it): you lose half and quality drops. Only the wholesaler will buy moldy stuff from you.
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