Consistent problems with drying and curing

Good evening!

Over the years I've seen many successful harvests, but I have one problem when it comes to drying and curing.
The problem is this: My herb dries way to fast (3-5 days). So when I jar them they are very dry, resulting in loss of both smell and flavour.
I live far up north so the air is quite dry, especially in the winters.

I've been experimenting with different harvesting/drying techniques, but harvest only comes 2 times per year. What I've tried so far is dry vs wet trimming, hanging the whole plant vs branches, I've jarred the buds when they are bone dry, and I've experienced mold because they were to wet.
I have now finally bought mason jars, which I believe is the way to go. Before I've used the kind with a rubber ring and normal syltburks that comes with your jelly.

The most recent harvest i decided to hang the whole plant. To help slow down the drying process I used a small humidifier.
I trimmed and jarred the buds when they were very dry, leaving as much stem as possible. The last plant took 2 more days to dry, and did feel moist the first week when opening the jars.

Now it's been 3 weeks and there aren't any aromas developing, except for a hint of sweetness and hay.

Usually the buds are very dense and look as good as I trim them.
When I break bud, so to speak. I always notice more distinct smells, and it smokes smooth too!


I've just re-discovered this forum and I'm sure to indulge, especially in this section. I'm posting a thread to get input from you, maybe this is familiar and can be fixed easy!



I'm using humidipaks 62% in my jars btw.




May the sun shine on you, kind regards.

Well we have a couple threads where people are using technology to help get the perfect cure, but they will cost you a bit of the money. Here’s @Tht_Blk_Guy27 and his Cannacontrol toy which looks promising. I myself am part of the commercial freeze dryer crowd. Which will take your fresh trimmed bud and dry/cure your weed in less then 24hrs. Jar it up and never worry about burping your jars as smell and taste are there right away

same problem-here is how I fixed it. Cut, trim (wet), Hang for 2 days or till where outside bud is crisp but stems don't break - just bend.
once done, cut buds off stems - throw in jars. open jars everyday I usually leave them open for 4 hours or until I remember. When opening jars, If buds clump together still - they are not dry enough so - I dump out and let them airout more in a shallow cardboard box until they feel dry again - I pop them back in jar. Repeat the above everyday until happy. good luck

EhCndGrower said:

Well we have a couple threads where people are using technology to help get the perfect cure, but they will cost you a bit of the money. Here’s @Tht_Blk_Guy27 and his Cannacontrol toy which looks promising. I myself am part of the commercial freeze dryer crowd. Which will take your fresh trimmed bud and dry/cure your weed in less then 24hrs. Jar it up and never worry about burping your jars as smell and taste are there right away

Click to expand...

Its expensive but well worth it either way they decide to go! When I bought the cannatrol I bout it because the freeze dryer I wanted was sold out and I wasn't going to compromise with a lesser model than the one I was recommended! Either way is good but I will say the cannatrol is a longer process than the freeze dryers but it had a gentle water removal system so you remove the excess moisture out as naturally as possible. I love that tech is catching up to the cannbis game but beware there are a lot of these expensive products that don't really work, I'd go by rule of thumb and if they haven't used it themselves and can't view you a review don't waste your time.


With that being said I always hang dry my plants with a fan over em for about 24 hrs. The broom closet I use keeps temp and humidity well so by the time they go into the machine there perfectly dried already. I basically set the machine to a day or twos drying just in case and then a 5 day cure. It's been amazing to learn I could simply detach my fan leaves, leave the whole branches in (takes 2.2lbs wet) and set her so I can walk away for a couple days

If you liking for surefire, guaranteed results freeze drying and systems similar to the Cannatrol will be your best bet. This thing was worth every bit of cash and when my outdoor comes I don't have to worry about the headache of wet trimming lol

HempyBabe99 said:

same problem-here is how I fixed it. Cut, trim (wet), Hang for 2 days or till where outside bud is crisp but stems don't break - just bend.
once done, cut buds off stems - throw in jars. open jars everyday I usually leave them open for 4 hours or until I remember. When opening jars, If buds clump together still - they are not dry enough so - I dump out and let them airout more in a shallow cardboard box until they feel dry again - I pop them back in jar. Repeat the above everyday until happy. good luck

Click to expand...

Interesting, perhaps I should only hang dry them until they feel dry, even if it's only 2 days.. I was traumatized from that time I had to throw away half of my harvest due to mold, so I tend to dry more than less.

Dont you leave any buds on the stem when you jar them? Seeing as they contain quite a bit of water it would make sense to leave a few if the buds are too dry.

I believe drying until the stems snap only would work if you live in a more humid climate. My buds turn to dust when the smaller stems finally snap.

EhCndGrower said:

Well we have a couple threads where people are using technology to help get the perfect cure, but they will cost you a bit of the money. Here’s @Tht_Blk_Guy27 and his Cannacontrol toy which looks promising. I myself am part of the commercial freeze dryer crowd. Which will take your fresh trimmed bud and dry/cure your weed in less then 24hrs. Jar it up and never worry about burping your jars as smell and taste are there right away

Click to expand...

Tht_Blk_Guy27 said:

Its expensive but well worth it either way they decide to go! When I bought the cannatrol I bout it because the freeze dryer I wanted was sold out and I wasn't going to compromise with a lesser model than the one I was recommended! Either way is good but I will say the cannatrol is a longer process than the freeze dryers but it had a gentle water removal system so you remove the excess moisture out as naturally as possible. I love that tech is catching up to the cannbis game but beware there are a lot of these expensive products that don't really work, I'd go by rule of thumb and if they haven't used it themselves and can't view you a review don't waste your time.


With that being said I always hang dry my plants with a fan over em for about 24 hrs. The broom closet I use keeps temp and humidity well so by the time they go into the machine there perfectly dried already. I basically set the machine to a day or twos drying just in case and then a 5 day cure. It's been amazing to learn I could simply detach my fan leaves, leave the whole branches in (takes 2.2lbs wet) and set her so I can walk away for a couple days

If you liking for surefire, guaranteed results freeze drying and systems similar to the Cannatrol will be your best bet. This thing was worth every bit of cash and when my outdoor comes I don't have to worry about the headache of wet trimming lol

Click to expand...

Hello,

I have never heard of this method before, I've checked out the threads you posted and it almost sounds to good to be true.
I've learned to do it slow and steady. But as we all know technology changes everything.

I'm not sure I can afford a 3000$ unit, I'm not even sure this piece is available in the European market.
While it would be interesting to try this method out, I don't think it's possible for me in my current situation.

I prefer to use traditional techniques for drying and curing. I have however been looking to try drying in a paper bag. An old man in this forum told about how back in the day they wrapped the buds in waxed paper, then put them in a paper bag for about a week. In theory it sounds like a viable method, of course there is heightened risk of mold.

My last harvest the buds weren't bone dry when i jarred them. They did however feel dry not just on the outside when squeezing them. It seems that when I jar them they keep on getting dryer to the point were there is no moisture left. For this reason I only open them for about 10 minutes per day. Could it be that the aromas aren't developing because they don't get enough fresh air?

Jointe92 said:

Interesting, perhaps I should only hang dry them until they feel dry, even if it's only 2 days.. I was traumatized from that time I had to throw away half of my harvest due to mold, so I tend to dry more than less.

Dont you leave any buds on the stem when you jar them? Seeing as they contain quite a bit of water it would make sense to leave a few if the buds are too dry.

I believe drying until the stems snap only would work if you live in a more humid climate. My buds turn to dust when the smaller stems finally snap.

Click to expand...

I leave no buds on stems - the key is making sure they are dry enough to jar and making sure enough air gets to them during the cure period so it doesn't mold. Interestingly enough, the 1 and only time I had mold using this method is when I decided to use the boveda packs to keep some humidity in the jar. After 2-21/2 days where I am at the outside is dry but bud still is holding moisture. thats why you have to make sure if the buds are still clumping - they need a little more dry time before being jarred. - hope that helps

Ive had problems with hay smell before etc, and have grown several different strains. Ive tried different methods of drying/curing. Imho I believe it is 80% genetics from seed and 20% grow technique. If you find, say, 2 genotypes out of 15 that you like, I would just grow them and even breed your own strains from that. Every seed is even different and very few reach the "perfect strain" you wanted terpenes etc.
Then it doesnt matter if you just chop and hang the plant for a month, or just chop and throw plants in a pile somewhere, it still retains itself basically.

Jointe92 said:

Good evening!

Over the years I've seen many successful harvests, but I have one problem when it comes to drying and curing.
The problem is this: My herb dries way to fast (3-5 days). So when I jar them they are very dry, resulting in loss of both smell and flavour.
I live far up north so the air is quite dry, especially in the winters.

I've been experimenting with different harvesting/drying techniques, but harvest only comes 2 times per year. What I've tried so far is dry vs wet trimming, hanging the whole plant vs branches, I've jarred the buds when they are bone dry, and I've experienced mold because they were to wet.
I have now finally bought mason jars, which I believe is the way to go. Before I've used the kind with a rubber ring and normal syltburks that comes with your jelly.

The most recent harvest i decided to hang the whole plant. To help slow down the drying process I used a small humidifier.
I trimmed and jarred the buds when they were very dry, leaving as much stem as possible. The last plant took 2 more days to dry, and did feel moist the first week when opening the jars.

Now it's been 3 weeks and there aren't any aromas developing, except for a hint of sweetness and hay.

Usually the buds are very dense and look as good as I trim them.
When I break bud, so to speak. I always notice more distinct smells, and it smokes smooth too!


I've just re-discovered this forum and I'm sure to indulge, especially in this section. I'm posting a thread to get input from you, maybe this is familiar and can be fixed easy!



I'm using humidipaks 62% in my jars btw.




May the sun shine on you, kind regards.

Click to expand...

Dude if your bud is drying out in 3 days then you need to research optimal drying conditions. 60% humidity, 60 degrees f , air exchange, gentle air flow around buds. If you’ve got mold then your air flow not up to scratch

Jointe92 said:

Hello,

I have never heard of this method before, I've checked out the threads you posted and it almost sounds to good to be true.
I've learned to do it slow and steady. But as we all know technology changes everything.

I'm not sure I can afford a 3000$ unit, I'm not even sure this piece is available in the European market.
While it would be interesting to try this method out, I don't think it's possible for me in my current situation.

Click to expand...

I simply put in freeze dryer uk and saw a few sites pop up. Some even selling the Harvest Right machine that I purchased and use for my buds. Plus it’s great with hard candies and caramels. Puff them right up, crunchy and melt in your mouth like cotton candy.

HempyBabe99 said:

I leave no buds on stems - the key is making sure they are dry enough to jar and making sure enough air gets to them during the cure period so it doesn't mold. Interestingly enough, the 1 and only time I had mold using this method is when I decided to use the boveda packs to keep some humidity in the jar. After 2-21/2 days where I am at the outside is dry but bud still is holding moisture. thats why you have to make sure if the buds are still clumping - they need a little more dry time before being jarred. - hope that helps

Click to expand...

I just separated buds from the larger stems, leaving me with nuggets and of course the colas. For the last couple of grows I've decided to leave the stems on to retain moisture, and I kinda like having 10-20cm stems full of bud.

You got me thinking, that perhaps because of the extra moisture in the stems there could be risk of mold from within the buds.. I don't know if there is anything to it, because as far as I know moisture travels from the stems through the bud to then dissipate.

What do you think?

jake.snake83 said:

Ive had problems with hay smell before etc, and have grown several different strains. Ive tried different methods of drying/curing. Imho I believe it is 80% genetics from seed and 20% grow technique. If you find, say, 2 genotypes out of 15 that you like, I would just grow them and even breed your own strains from that. Every seed is even different and very few reach the "perfect strain" you wanted terpenes etc.
Then it doesnt matter if you just chop and hang the plant for a month, or just chop and throw plants in a pile somewhere, it still retains itself basically.

Click to expand...

In my case the aromas are there before the cut.

Could be, especially theese days when so many breeders are mixing genetics in the hunt for very high THC or the prestige of having made a strain..


I try to keep to the classics when it comes to strain choice, I guess to try and preserve the ganja we know and love. But I've surely noticed that the quality of seeds is not always what I could wish for.

Yeah I guess, but up to a point before curing is neccessary.

ZeeeDoc said:

Dude if your bud is drying out in 3 days then you need to research optimal drying conditions. 60% humidity, 60 degrees f , air exchange, gentle air flow around buds. If you’ve got mold then your air flow not up to scratch

Click to expand...

I'm aware, I have trouble regulating the temperature but it's mostly stable.
I've only had mold once because buds were to wet in the jar, I may have forgotten to open them also

EhCndGrower said:

I simply put in freeze dryer uk and saw a few sites pop up. Some even selling the Harvest Right machine that I purchased and use for my buds. Plus it’s great with hard candies and caramels. Puff them right up, crunchy and melt in your mouth like cotton candy.

Click to expand...

I did the same but I only found a few, ranging in price from 3000€-11000€ which is more than I can afford unfortunately.

I would love to try, I read that you can preserve almost anything. Amazing!

Jointe92 said:

Hello,

I have never heard of this method before, I've checked out the threads you posted and it almost sounds to good to be true.
I've learned to do it slow and steady. But as we all know technology changes everything.

I'm not sure I can afford a 3000$ unit, I'm not even sure this piece is available in the European market.
While it would be interesting to try this method out, I don't think it's possible for me in my current situation.

Click to expand...

the cannatrol only retails at around $1500 and most freeze dryers are around $2,000 but in your market that may be a bit much so I understand. I was sick with worry for a good month after spending the money but man was I impressed its been a game changer

Tht_Blk_Guy27 said:

the cannatrol only retails at around $1500 and most freeze dryers are around $2,000 but in your market that may be a bit much so I understand. I was sick with worry for a good month after spending the money but man was I impressed its been a game changer

Click to expand...

Saw this on Amazon, wonder if it would work

Cyah1990 said:

Saw this on Amazon, wonder if it would work
View attachment 4915120

Click to expand...

I love the idea! I've actually dehydrated my weed in a jerky dehydrator and it was some of the bombest smoke in the neighborhood bar none. now that I can do it better I definitely do but that's not a bad route to go. in my case my first outdoor grow legally I got a pound wet off 6 plants and I knew logistically I couldn't dry all of it appropriately and hadn't though that far. i basically dried each plant every two days and a half chopped it down as much as possible then threw it in and cured it for a week or so.

EhCndGrower said:

Well we have a couple threads where people are using technology to help get the perfect cure, but they will cost you a bit of the money. Here’s @Tht_Blk_Guy27 and his Cannacontrol toy which looks promising. I myself am part of the commercial freeze dryer crowd. Which will take your fresh trimmed bud and dry/cure your weed in less then 24hrs. Jar it up and never worry about burping your jars as smell and taste are there right away

Click to expand...

I am waiting to receive my harvest right freeze dryer (to make live rosin) and did not know it would also work for this…fuck yeah!

I was in the same boat, I added 3 days to my dry time by doing bud washes.

I do a wet trim and manicure, then bud-wash, then hang for 7 - 10 days, take off the branches when the buds aren't crisp just dry but soft with the stem bending to hard angle but not so dry it's snapping off.

Then 5-7 days in a card board box which I turn the buds twice a day. Then into the glass gallon jars filled about 3/4 up with a bovida pack (I like 57% personally, rolls better joints IMO). Burp 2-3 times a day, or once if I'm forgetful and I just do that until the next crop moves in to the jars.

The first time I dunked a plant under the water I almost puked, but now I swear by bud-washes. I've got 2 cats in the house and nothing sits for 4 months without getting dusted, otherwise... yuck! So getting any house dust and cat hair that makes it through the filters or cracks off the buds is a major plus, I swear it has a smoother smoke too, toss in a more reasonable drying time it's a win-win-win.