Understanding Mold on Tents
Canvas tents have been used all over the world in a variety of environments for 100+ years, remain the undisputed champion in tentage material, and are built to last. You just have to take care of them. Similar to other fine pieces of equipment, tools, and clothing, proper maintenance is required. If you are looking for a long term shelter to leave up in the rainforest without much maintenance, a non-breathable petroleum based product like hard plastic may be a better solution, although comfort and humidity may limit the amount of time you want to spend inside it.
Mold is a fungus. Unlike plants which require energy from the sun to grow, mold derives energy from degrading organic matter. Without getting too sciencey for a blog about tents: mold excretes enzymes that cause organic materials to decompose (aka “rot”), which it eats to create energy to reproduce, and creates waste, and so the circle of life moves us all. Mold is nature's recycling center, a fascinating and essential component of the natural world that makes our planet livable.