Harvest & Curing Did I goof on the drying?

[JayGeeCanuck]

I was following this temp and humidity range:
Day 1 — 3:65 degrees and 55% humidity
Day 4 — 6:70 degrees and 50% humidity
Day 7 — 10’ish: 73–75 degrees and 45% humidity, until they pass the snap test.

I was able to keep the humidity in those ranges pretty well. Temps might have been up to 78 during the day on warmer days but pretty close to the slow increase recommended.

I did the snap test on day 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Theyd bend, but not snap. I started trimming on day 10 because I didn't want to go too long. First plant was 46% humidity in the container, by the next morning it was at 51%. I put boveda packs in which has brought the humidity up to 56-58% so far.

The buds hung lower and trimmed last have more of a hay smell still. Im thinking maybe the exhaust fan was too much? I have a 6" and had it on low. I did have 2 , 6" fans on in the bottom (pointing in the corners, away from the colas, on low) for the first 2 days, but then turned them off fearing I was overdrying.

Ive burped the daily so far, though this may be redundant with the boveda and my humidity level?

Just annoying having relied on a method that didnt work. Second crop is under planning though. Itll help having harvest in fall, where i can manage temps more easily.

 

[STILLSMOKIN]

I was following this temp and humidity range:
Day 1 — 3:65 degrees and 55% humidity
Day 4 — 6:70 degrees and 50% humidity
Day 7 — 10’ish: 73–75 degrees and 45% humidity, until they pass the snap test.

I was able to keep the humidity in those ranges pretty well. Temps might have been up to 78 during the day on warmer days but pretty close to the slow increase recommended.

I did the snap test on day 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Theyd bend, but not snap. I started trimming on day 10 because I didn't want to go too long. First plant was 46% humidity in the container, by the next morning it was at 51%. I put boveda packs in which has brought the humidity up to 56-58% so far.

The buds hung lower and trimmed last have more of a hay smell still. Im thinking maybe the exhaust fan was too much? I have a 6" and had it on low. I did have 2 , 6" fans on in the bottom (pointing in the corners, away from the colas, on low) for the first 2 days, but then turned them off fearing I was overdrying.

Ive burped the daily so far, though this may be redundant with the boveda and my humidity level?

Just annoying having relied on a method that didnt work. Second crop is under planning though. Itll help having harvest in fall, where i can manage temps more easily.

Do you have a frost free freezer?

The boveda Will bring humidity up for the cure just need to leave them.

 

[STILLSMOKIN]

I'm using one of these turned all the way down, drys straight off the plant in 48hrs and taste and smoothness is spot on for a full cure.

 

[JayGeeCanuck]

Do you have a frost free freezer?

The boveda Will bring humidity up for the cure just need to leave them.

I do. ill just leave em and stop the burping.
Should I have had the exhaust on? Or was it jus a matter of trimming/curing sooner?

 

[JayGeeCanuck]

I'm using one of these turned all the way down, drys straight off the plant in 48hrs and taste and smoothness is spot on for a full cure. View attachment 1078410

Interesting! You chop and throw it right in?

 

[STILLSMOKIN]

I do. ill just leave em and stop the burping.
Should I have had the exhaust on? Or was it jus a matter of trimming/curing sooner?

You want air circulating but you also want the gases that come off plant to linger in for cure. Dry to fast and they hay smell comes out. I find the dehydrator posted above to be the best I've done so far.

Ok test for you to try, take a little bit of the hay smelling bud and pop in freezer on a dish or something that will hold it so you dont touch getting it back out. Leave in freezer for 24hrs, remove without touching as bud is very brittle. Let sit 15 20 mins for room,temp and smoke.

Let me know results, worked like a charm for me so I hope the same for you. Just dont put a bunch in case it doesn't.

 

[STILLSMOKIN]

Interesting! You chop and throw it right in?

Yep I've dried and jarred over a 1lb now with no complaints from family or friends.

 

[AutoWonders]

ill just leave em and stop the burping.

With Boveda I always burp once per day.

 

[JayGeeCanuck]

With Boveda I always burp once per day.

Even if theyre low?

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Even if theyre low?

Yes, oxygen is needed in the curing process it is used up and needs to be replenished. IMPE drying below 55% before putting in the jar slows down the cure considerably. I try to jar at 60%. If over 68% take it out and let dry some more. I use Boveda 62s because most of my bud is destined to be rosin and that gives me the best yield. A lot of smokers seem to prefer the 58s.