Optimal Drying Temp and Humidity?

[Cerebral Goo]

Have read quite a bit on the topic the last week or so and as usual with anything canna related, there seems to be little consensus. 60*/60% for 14 days(ish) seems to be pretty common from some pro growers and a lot of other peeps that have been growing for awhile. So, that's what I will shoot for unless anyone has better ideas...
Will be drying in a utility room in my basement with no windows, but also no central HVAC. Will breathe the room a couple times a day. I have a fan with plenty of air circulation (not direct at plant) and a humidifier which can keep the humidity right at 60%. Unfortunately, my temp is staying consistent about 72*. I will open the nearest screen on the nearest sliding glass door to try to cool down the temp a bit. Don't want to fork out for a portable AC at the moment since I've spent about $4k already and are going into winter! Thought about bringing in an large cooler with ice and putting it in front of the fan as I have access to a restaurant ice machine...

What temps and humidity do you try for?

Anyone dry around that 72* mark?

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Have read quite a bit on the topic the last week or so and as usual with anything canna related, there seems to be little consensus. 60*/60% for 14 days(ish) seems to be pretty common from some pro growers and a lot of other peeps that have been growing for awhile. So, that's what I will shoot for unless anyone has better ideas...
Will be drying in a utility room in my basement with no windows, but also no central HVAC. Will breathe the room a couple times a day. I have a fan with plenty of air circulation (not direct at plant) and a humidifier which can keep the humidity right at 60%. Unfortunately, my temp is staying consistent about 72*. I will open the nearest screen on the nearest sliding glass door to try to cool down the temp a bit. Don't want to fork out for a portable AC at the moment since I've spent about $4k already and are going into winter! Thought about bringing in an large cooler with ice and putting it in front of the fan as I have access to a restaurant ice machine...

What temps and humidity do you try for?

Anyone dry around that 72* mark?

Yes I often have to dry at temperatures as high as 78°F. What will happen is the outside of the bud will dry faster than the inside which is normal but it will be speeded up. When the outside leaves feel a bit crunchy do a good trim leaving the buds on the stems and put in brown paper bags to "sweat" for a day or two. When the buds are 11% moisture on a meter or 62% -64% moisture on a hygrometer in a jar they are ready to cure. At this point I use Grove Bags - a modern day miracle for curing and storage.

https://www.autoflower.org/forums/grove-bags/

 

[Cerebral Goo]

Yes I often have to dry at temperatures as high as 78°F. What will happen is the outside of the bud will dry faster than the inside which is normal but it will be speeded up. When the outside leaves feel a bit crunchy do a good trim leaving the buds on the stems and put in brown paper bags to "sweat" for a day or two. When the buds are 11% moisture on a meter or 62% -64% moisture on a hygrometer in a jar they are ready to cure. At this point I use Grove Bags - a modern day miracle for curing and storage.

https://www.autoflower.org/forums/grove-bags/

Thanks MOG! Was hoping to get a longer whole plant cure, but if it isn't in the cards...I was wondering about placing a garbage or larger paper bag around the hanging plant for 10-12 hours to try to equalize the moisture in the stem/bud. Sort of the same concept. I've seen people do something similar when making charcuterie in adverse conditions. I may still try the ice in front of the fan thing to lower the temp as it's free!

How would a higher humidity work to counteract the temp? Obviously it would run the risk of other issues...rot, etc

How has that cheap moisture meter you bought holding up/working for you? I read the WHOLE Grove bag post several times! I ended up buying one of the same models as well and will test them to my nicer ones I use professionally. Also purchased several Grove bags in various sizes as well. Thanks for that info too!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Thanks MOG! Was hoping to get a longer whole plant cure, but if it isn't in the cards...I was wondering about placing a garbage or larger paper bag around the hanging plant for 10-12 hours to try to equalize the moisture in the stem/bud. Sort of the same concept. I've seen people do something similar when making charcuterie in adverse conditions. I may still try the ice in front of the fan thing to lower the temp as it's free!

How would a higher humidity work to counteract the temp? Obviously it would run the risk of other issues...rot, etc

How has that cheap moisture meter you bought holding up/working for you? I read the WHOLE Grove bag post several times! I ended up buying one of the same models as well and will test them to my nicer ones I use professionally. Also purchased several Grove bags in various sizes as well. Thanks for that info too!

It does work and I think the accuracy is fair. Not perfect. You must clean the probes between each use. I like to put the buds in the paper bags at about 13% -15% on the meter. The final test is still a jar and hygrometer. It is simple and accurate enough for what we are doing 62% is perfect a point or two in either direction is just fine. Then into the Grove Bags for the cure. I stick a hygrometer in the bag for a day or two. When I am convinced the moisture level is stable I heat seal the bags. I do not think about it again until I want to use some.