Some help with drying/curing

[Rasterman]

I don't know but the bag appeal is awesome. I always seem to overdry buds due to the climate where I live and Boveda does a lot for the smell.

 

[2budz]

I don't know but the bag appeal is awesome. I always seem to overdry buds due to the climate where I live and Boveda does a lot for the smell.

It's really easy to overdry where I'm at. I'm trying different things to slow down the dry and I'm not sure what else to do. The buds never really smelled good once I pulled them out of the fridge but some people swear drying slow and long in the fridge preserves terps. Maybe I din't leave them in there long enough and the extra day in a paper bag at room temp killed the smell. IDK. But I have 12 beautiful plants about a month away from harvest and I'd hate to have a pound of hay smelling weed lol.

 

[Rasterman]

I tried something once and it worked but was told that it's a very bad idea due to mold. I haven't tried it again. I put buds in the jar when partially dry but the stems were still flexible (no possibility of snapping flexible). Then I opened them frequently, an hour twice a day.

It worked, the buds ended up smelling pretty good, but I'm scared to try it again because I might forget to open them. It's an option though if you have enough buds to risk trying it.

I believe I removed about half the moisture content before trying it. The previous batch had dried out completely in 2 days because of very low humidity and I was at my wit's end.

Like I said, not suggesting it necessarily.

 

[2budz]

I tried something once and it worked but was told that it's a very bad idea due to mold. I haven't tried it again. I put buds in the jar when partially dry but the stems were still flexible (no possibility of snapping flexible). Then I opened them frequently, an hour twice a day.

It worked, the buds ended up smelling pretty good, but I'm scared to try it again because I might forget to open them. It's an option though if you have enough buds to risk trying it.

I believe I removed about half the water before trying it. The previous batch had dried out completely in 2 days because of very low humidity and I was at my wit's end.

Like I said, not suggesting it necessarily.

Tbh, that’s pretty much where I’m at. There’s such a fine line between wet and dry and dry comes at you fast. I just decided to throw a couple boveda in the jar and burp it daily. I have some backup so I don’t need to get into them any time soon. Just curious to see what happens.

 

[Zaaboot]

This is basically what I’ve been doing. Only letting them dry enough so the sugar leaves are curled then jar them with a hygrometer. I’ll leave the lid off for like 15-30 minutes a day until they’re under 65 then trim. But, when I do it this way it smells ok for a day or two then starts to smell like hay. Smokes really good and is a really pleasant experience, just doesn’t have the smell/taste I would like. The stuff I just overdried actually smells amazing but it’s only 44% rh and dry to the touch. I threw some fan leaves in the jar this morning before work now the hygrometer says 89%, they’re all sticking together and smell like hay. I feel like I’m chasing my tail.

Sounds like they are being jarred to early hence the hay smell.
Nowadays, I take it down to circa 55/58% ambient RH in and around the buds, then in to Grove bags and heat seal for at least a month - the time in the bags allows it to adjust to the perfect state and then it cures away.

Another thought - with your low RH, your temps are not horrid, anyway if lowering the temps for a longer dry at that RH range in your house

 

[DDubs]

I'm not sure about putting them in the frig but I have had good success with the bags. I would be afraid of the frig over drying because its a big dehumidifier. Are the buds crispy? Are you doing a final cure in jars?

With the dense looking buds you have, I would think that at around 56-58% in the bag, you can transfer to a jar but keep an eye on it and burp them for a few each day till they settle.

 

[2budz]

I have the refrigerator set to the highest setting. It’s a constant 40f in there. It slows drying way down as a matter of fact the Black Strap I’m drying is stil a few days out and it’s been 15 days I think

Sounds like they are being jarred to early hence the hay smell.
Nowadays, I take it down to circa 55/58% ambient RH in and around the buds, then in to Grove bags and heat seal for at least a month - the time in the bags allows it to adjust to the perfect state and then it cures away.

Another thought - with your low RH, your temps are not horrid, anyway if lowering the temps for a longer dry at that RH range in your house

The low temps, 40f, actually slow drying way down. It took 12 days for the SS and admittedly that was probably 2 days to short. The Black Strap is on day 15 I think, just checked it and it’s still holding a little moisture. I’m going to be more patient with the BS because I think you’re right, I’m jarring them to wet.

I do cure in jars. If that’s what we can call it at this point lol. After putting both the King Gelato and Sour Stomper in jars with boveda packs yesterday and letting them sit overnight they definitely smell like buds this morning. Less hay smell.

The moisture meter I bought, I’m not sure how much I can trust it. Or maybe I should trust it more. It tells me that the BS is the same as the day it went into the bag when I can clearly feel that it’s not. I think it’s grabbing the stalk moisture because I have to stab the prongs so far in to get a reading.

I'm not sure about putting them in the frig but I have had good success with the bags. I would be afraid of the frig over drying because its a big dehumidifier. Are the buds crispy? Are you doing a final cure in jars?

With the dense looking buds you have, I would think that at around 56-58% in the bag, you can transfer to a jar but keep an eye on it and burp them for a few each day till they settle.

 

[Zaaboot]

hey @DDubs could you tell me more about the fridge drying please - I am intrigued. I do have a fridge for storing my long cure bud in, it could/would make perfect sense to dry in the same place thus removing a tent from the house which would be nice.
Thanks
Z

 

[2budz]

hey @DDubs could you tell me more about the fridge drying please - I am intrigued. I do have a fridge for storing my long cure bud in, it could/would make perfect sense to dry in the same place thus removing a tent from the house which would be nice.
Thanks
Z

When I dry in paper bags in my house 4-5 days and the buds are to dry. The refrigerator slows it way down. Humidity is low, like 30rh. But the low temps slow the dry way down.

 

[MrAutoGrower]

Found your post because I’m having the same issues. Got a moisture meter and it’s reading 19-20% after over a week of drying in brown paper bags. Feel dry to the touch and stems snap on the buds. Hate this part of growing. I never get it right. Next to no smell for me too.