Area 51 SGS-160.. Let's see what this bad boy can do.. To these bad girls!!

[Beefbisquit]

Good question, why am I not freezing my bud? I researched curing for over six months trying to find the best way to preserve bud and enhance the flavors. Most growers won't have the bud for more than a month or two before it's all gone and the next harvest is ready. My stock lasts for years and needed to be the best dry / cure process available.

Here is a secret, bud matures and becomes better with age, talking about six-month bud that's properly dried, cured, and stored. I'm not talking about the plastic baggie of brown dried out swag. That started as crap and always will be.

I sampled both methods, freezing and jar cure, on the same harvested buds. Freezer: It's harsh and flavors are dulled by half. But, I guess if you get high fast enough who cares, right? I just can't throw this baby into the deep freeze. no way!

Freezing bud has been discussed a lot on the Internet and written back in 2010 by Ed Rosenthal. I'm just not sold on this technique. Ever eat meat or vegetables that have been frozen compared to fresh? How about stuff that's been in the freezer too long, you know, that old popsicle from way in the back, taste good? Freezing works. It's just not what I'm looking for in my end results.

And I guess, if you are going to spend money, I would invest in the most important part of the grow process, drying and curing. I spare my flowers and only use sublimation for the leaves and the fluff, aka: dry ice hash.

View attachment 2800476

I completely disagree.

I keep all my buds. ALL OF THEM.... and I greatly prefer freezer cure. It preserves the flavor and smell much more than dry curing, IMO. Also, my freezer is pitch black, so I don't suffer any degradation from light/heat either. JMHO.

Freezer cured!


Air Cured!


Water Cured!


Comparison shots!


MMMMM....freezer cured...


Same bud as above, but zoomed out!


Couple colas I air dried in a shoe box...lol
​

I like experimenting, and done right I find freezer cured bud the best tasting, smelling, and stoning!

 

[PSUAGRO.]

This ^^ is my feeling as well. I've tried every curing method (not water) and even the super meticulous (small rh meter/burping/3 month process) system with inferior results to the KISS freezer cure(30days!!).

Don't wanna highjack the op's thread...........so too each their own I guess, whatever works for you........I just can't go back after this stupid simple set it-and-forget it curing.

 

[The BLaKsmith]

Looking dank, glad to see that lights working out for ya

 

[blowincherrypie]

I honestly froze some of the first batch and it was nice, but I didn't think it was quite as good as the boveda jar sitting in a dark area for a month. Also, I'm not sure if my freezer might not be working properly or something but the freezer bud was always a little damp for the first couple hours out... Looking at Beef's buds I think I may throw a bud or two in the ol' ice box.

 

[greenghost420]

can i get a good link to water and freezer curing? im very interested! sorry to jack...

 

[blowincherrypie]

This ^^ is my feeling as well. I've tried every curing method (not water) and even the super meticulous (small rh meter/burping/3 month process) system with inferior results to the KISS freezer cure(30days!!).

Don't wanna highjack the op's thread...........so too each their own I guess, whatever works for you........I just can't go back after this stupid simple set it-and-forget it curing.

Are you familiar with the Boveda packs? They maintain a constant RH so I simply throw in a 62% Boveda pack, then fill up one of my ol' trusty jelly/spaghetti jars 2/3 of the way and SIFI (lol Set-It-and-Forget-It right? love it) I'm with you that the "rh meter-burp-jack off a unicorn" method is for the birds. The end result is nice, but I've got responsibilities besides babysitting a bunch of jars all day. With the Boveda packs it creates that *pop* that we are all after, and since it maintains a constant RH you get that same *pop* every single time. To make it all better, you don't have to own a yacht to purchase a 10 or 12 pack of packs lol.

 

[GrowinDad]

This Boveda thing has me intrigued but info on the site is vague. So please help me out. I currently air dry/hang until outside is dry and then throw into jars, burp, etc.

1. When do you put into the Boveda. After air dry/hanging or can they go in fresh and wet?
2. So do you put the bud into a jar and throw the jar into the Boveda? If yes, I would assume with no lid. If no, weed into the Boveda and then Boveda into a sealed jar?

They def look awesome for just storing over time for we personal growers!

 

[GrowinDad]

Aha. I thought it was something like a padded envelope but it is really for more like a sugar packet that goes in the jar.

I see now it says not use on fresh bud. But can I avoid all burping if I just throw one of these into the normal 32 oz ball jar aft the hang dry? Please say yes as that would be wonderful!

 

[PSUAGRO.]

can i get a good link to water and freezer curing? im very interested! sorry to jack...

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=186222 trim/hang dry till stems snap......put the trimmed buds into your freezer in a BREATHABLE container(paper bag/open box/etc.) that's it! the longer it undergoes sublimation the better..... BUT after 30 days it's definitely a "good" smoke.

water cure........trim hang dry till stems snap place in jar filled with water and flip it so it stays submerged(beef knows the specifics way better).....smoothest(?) but ugliest looking buds/smoke. have no idea how long to cure it or if you change the water

Are you familiar with the Boveda packs? They maintain a constant RH so I simply throw in a 62% Boveda pack, then fill up one of my ol' trusty jelly/spaghetti jars 2/3 of the way and SIFI (lol Set-It-and-Forget-It right? love it) I'm with you that the "rh meter-burp-jack off a unicorn" method is for the birds. The end result is nice, but I've got responsibilities besides babysitting a bunch of jars all day. With the Boveda packs it creates that *pop* that we are all after, and since it maintains a constant RH you get that same *pop* every single time. To make it all better, you don't have to own a yacht to purchase a 10 or 12 pack of packs lol.

No i'm not familiar with it, If you like it better than great!... this is all opinionated anyway.............BUT the freezer maintains the RH automatically (frost free ones) so nothing needs to be done.......just patience

 

[Beefbisquit]

A month in a jar with no lid in a freezer that removes condensation, and you're good to go.

The colors are really preserved with freezing, and yes; the buds are pretty much always damp when you taken them out of the freezer. I usually just put a fan on them for an hour or two!

I'm very interested in those Boveda packs however, think I might order a 12 pack to test them out! How long do they last and can you reuse them?

 

[Beefbisquit]

can i get a good link to water and freezer curing? im very interested! sorry to jack...

I've posted about it on here before.... you should be able to find it.

Basically just put your buds straight from the trimmer, into a jar and GENTLY fill with RO water. Avoid moving the buds around as much as possible, jiggling makes trichomes fall off and the idea isn't to make hash... lol

For the first 3-4 days change the water everyday - the water will turn brownish/yellowish after 12/24 hours. I use a turkey baster to remove the water to avoid disturbing the buds. After 3-4 days you'll notice the water stays cleared longer -you can get away with changing the water every 2 days or so now. Make sure you fill the jar completely to the top, when you put the centre cap on to the jar some water should spill out because there's so much water in the jar.

Every day or two, I carefully flip the jars 180 degrees to make sure the tops and bottoms get soaked in the water evenly.

After about 10 days (when the water no longer turns yellowish) you can drain the water off and fan dry the buds. They'll be brownish, and small and shriveled, because they have a considerable amount of plant matter, chlorophyll and contaminants removed. This includes some of terpins that give bud its nice smell and taste.

THC isn't water soluble, so it remains in the buds!

The end result is bud that doesn't look or taste that great, but it is arguably the most potent, and definitely the smoothest bud you'll smoke. The Mrs. has asthma and she LOVES water cured buds. You also lose more weight when water curing due to the extra material that the water absorbs compared to using air as a medium.

EDIT: I think the more detailed water cure info is somewhere in HERE.

 

[blowincherrypie]

I let them hang dry about 4-6 days then put a Boveda pack at the bottom of the jar, and fill with medicine on top of the pack. Put it somewhere dark, and they actually maintain the constant humidity as advertised. You can get them dirt cheap off ebay/amazon and they have 62% packs which is about optimal. I don't want to come off as some type of know-it-all new jack, but really wanted to help pass on one of my favorite found tools in my box.

I can't say for sure how long they last considering I'm still using my first 12. They only cost 10-15 bucks for a 12 pack and I can say with certainty that I was doing way more tha 10-15 dollars worth of work doing all that burping.

 

[sgt john]

I let them hang dry about 4-6 days then put a Boveda pack at the bottom of the jar, and fill with medicine on top of the pack. Put it somewhere dark, and they actually maintain the constant humidity as advertised. You can get them dirt cheap off ebay/amazon and they have 62% packs which is about optimal. I don't want to come off as some type of know-it-all new jack, but really wanted to help pass on one of my favorite found tools in my box.

I can't say for sure how long they last considering I'm still using my first 12. They only cost 10-15 bucks for a 12 pack and I can say with certainty that I was doing way more tha 10-15 dollars worth of work doing all that burping.

Sounds like a plan, I have never used the Boveda packs, but you and the other guys convinced me into trying them, I will try it like Blowincherrypie.
Also, I'm gonna try the water curing also on the side and see how well it works..

Thanks for the info...

 

[greenghost420]

thanks for the info beef

 

[blowincherrypie]

When I set off on this venture one of my goals was to grow better weed than I could find on the street. Now I am fortunate in the sense that in my area you can usually (51 out of the 52 weeks of the year) get grade A buds for $325(will occasionally be more on the B+ side of things) to $400(Cherry Pie, GSC, Strawberry Cough were a few of the last buds that were becoming more prevelant before I started off) a zip. So i know good weed, and I also knew I was setting the bar pretty high.

I just completed my third grow and this is in the top 10-15 buds I have ever smoked, so while not quite at the top, I know I'm getting there! My first grow I think I may have perhaps over fertilized because at least one of the ladies self pollinated causing one plant to have a fully mature zebra striped bean or two in every nug. None of the plants produced anything that really delivered that kick in a face, and it required a nice cure in order to get the dank smell back. My second grow was a bunch of auto freebies.. need I say more??

Now this batch here is getting me stoned to the bone after just a half a bowl after a 4-5 day dry period +1 day in Boveda and I know it's just getting better each time I smoke more. I am afraid that I may not continue doing a journal after this grow. I wanted to show what a complete "newb" could do with some LEDs and feel I have done that. Most of you guys and girls out here are great and I appreciate the help and support. I will continue posting and will get up the dried weight of this last grow ASAP. I'm guessing I will end up with right about an Oz per plant, which I think is OK considering I'm growing in the 1gal containers.

I have only been using the AN Connoisseur + AN cal/mag during flower. Would I be able to notice a big yield increase by using some of the other flowering products?

+2.3g bud I found after pic. Add 19.5+15 = 56g or 2Oz even. Weird so just one more Oz to reach my goal!

 

[Beefbisquit]

When I set off on this venture one of my goals was to grow better weed than I could find on the street. Now I am fortunate in the sense that in my area you can usually (51 out of the 52 weeks of the year) get grade A buds for $325(will occasionally be more on the B+ side of things) to $400(Cherry Pie, GSC, Strawberry Cough were a few of the last buds that were becoming more prevelant before I started off) a zip. So i know good weed, and I also knew I was setting the bar pretty high.

I just completed my third grow and this is in the top 10-15 buds I have ever smoked, so while not quite at the top, I know I'm getting there! My first grow I think I may have perhaps over fertilized because at least one of the ladies self pollinated causing one plant to have a fully mature zebra striped bean or two in every nug. None of the plants produced anything that really delivered that kick in a face, and it required a nice cure in order to get the dank smell back. My second grow was a bunch of auto freebies.. need I say more??

Now this batch here is getting me stoned to the bone after just a half a bowl after a 4-5 day dry period +1 day in Boveda and I know it's just getting better each time I smoke more. I am afraid that I may not continue doing a journal after this grow. I wanted to show what a complete "newb" could do with some LEDs and feel I have done that. Most of you guys and girls out here are great and I appreciate the help and support. I will continue posting and will get up the dried weight of this last grow ASAP. I'm guessing I will end up with right about an Oz per plant, which I think is OK considering I'm growing in the 1gal containers.

I have only been using the AN Connoisseur + AN cal/mag during flower. Would I be able to notice a big yield increase by using some of the other flowering products?

View attachment 2803048 +2.3g bud I found after pic. Add 19.5+15 = 56g or 2Oz even. Weird so just one more Oz to reach my goal!

I love the AN lineup.

I use a lot of them, but if I had to pick only a couple additives I'd use Sensizyn, Big Bud, and probably either Bud Factor X or Voodoo Juice.... I do love Overdrive too... and B-52, and Bud Candy, and Tarantula powder... LOL

I use a few others too... heh

 

[RedCarpetMatches]

I've posted about it on here before.... you should be able to find it.

Basically just put your buds straight from the trimmer, into a jar and GENTLY fill with RO water. Avoid moving the buds around as much as possible, jiggling makes trichomes fall off and the idea isn't to make hash... lol

For the first 3-4 days change the water everyday - the water will turn brownish/yellowish after 12/24 hours. I use a turkey baster to remove the water to avoid disturbing the buds. After 3-4 days you'll notice the water stays cleared longer -you can get away with changing the water every 2 days or so now. Make sure you fill the jar completely to the top, when you put the centre cap on to the jar some water should spill out because there's so much water in the jar.

Every day or two, I carefully flip the jars 180 degrees to make sure the tops and bottoms get soaked in the water evenly.

After about 10 days (when the water no longer turns yellowish) you can drain the water off and fan dry the buds. They'll be brownish, and small and shriveled, because they have a considerable amount of plant matter, chlorophyll and contaminants removed. This includes some of terpins that give bud its nice smell and taste.

THC isn't water soluble, so it remains in the buds!

The end result is bud that doesn't look or taste that great, but it is arguably the most potent, and definitely the smoothest bud you'll smoke. The Mrs. has asthma and she LOVES water cured buds. You also lose more weight when water curing due to the extra material that the water absorbs compared to using air as a medium.

EDIT: I think the more detailed water cure info is somewhere in HERE.

So what if you made some hashish with the water cured?

 

[Beefbisquit]

So what if you made some hashish with the water cured?

Hmmm.... not sure, I've never tried it! Personally, if I was making hash I would want bud that was handled as little as possible. So, I would probably use air cure for making hash.... but who knows?!

 

[RedCarpetMatches]

Hmmm.... not sure, I've never tried it! Personally, if I was making hash I would want bud that was handled as little as possible. So, I would probably use air cure for making hash.... but who knows?!

Thnx for quick response. You said water curing is arguably most potent so my light bulb turned on. I'm thinking about getting a dorm room washer for some intense hash mixing...now that my defoliating experiment is finally fucking over lol.

 

[PetFlora]

Good on you! I have seen so much bad info and bad panels being sold, over the last 2+ years that I resorted to using existing led tech to grow. (A19 globes + led tube replacements for T8s) and the results have been pretty damn good, but I probably have 80% of the cost tied up in them. That said, I was conscious to buy things I could use elsewhere in my house/garage...

I was curious about A51, they seemed to have a clue. Your thread helped me to see that, clearly, they do! And IMO, their price is very fair.

The owner should easily get 10 years use, bringing cost down to < $60/year. Hell, I pay that much for annual HOT5 bulb replacement

My comments around RIU resonated with them and Jeff asked if I would like to do a thread over on IC (beta test a new panel), where I have been doing threads for years. Alas, shit happens, and it will not be happening anytime soon

When I set off on this venture one of my goals was to grow better weed than I could find on the street. Now I am fortunate in the sense that in my area you can usually (51 out of the 52 weeks of the year) get grade A buds for $325(will occasionally be more on the B+ side of things) to $400(Cherry Pie, GSC, Strawberry Cough were a few of the last buds that were becoming more prevelant before I started off) a zip. So i know good weed, and I also knew I was setting the bar pretty high.

I just completed my third grow and this is in the top 10-15 buds I have ever smoked, so while not quite at the top, I know I'm getting there! My first grow I think I may have perhaps over fertilized because at least one of the ladies self pollinated causing one plant to have a fully mature zebra striped bean or two in every nug. None of the plants produced anything that really delivered that kick in a face, and it required a nice cure in order to get the dank smell back. My second grow was a bunch of auto freebies.. need I say more??

Now this batch here is getting me stoned to the bone after just a half a bowl after a 4-5 day dry period +1 day in Boveda and I know it's just getting better each time I smoke more. I am afraid that I may not continue doing a journal after this grow. I wanted to show what a complete "newb" could do with some LEDs and feel I have done that. Most of you guys and girls out here are great and I appreciate the help and support. I will continue posting and will get up the dried weight of this last grow ASAP. I'm guessing I will end up with right about an Oz per plant, which I think is OK considering I'm growing in the 1gal containers.

I have only been using the AN Connoisseur + AN cal/mag during flower. Would I be able to notice a big yield increase by using some of the other flowering products?

View attachment 2803048 +2.3g bud I found after pic. Add 19.5+15 = 56g or 2Oz even. Weird so just one more Oz to reach my goal!