Knowing how to dry buds without hanging the whole plant to dry can come in handy!
But before you can enjoy smoking or vaporizing your homegrown weed, it’s important to properly dry and cure it.
The drying process involves removing moisture from the fresh buds.
Curing, on the other hand, is the process of storing the buds in sealed containers for at least two weeks to enhance the flavor and aroma of the buds as they mature.
Both drying and curing are important steps in preparing your cannabis for consumption.
How To Dry Weed
As you get more experienced with drying, the whole process will get easier.
If you are a beginner, here are some tricks on how to successfully dry your marijuana.
To start the drying process, it’s important to establish a specific space for it.
This could be any room that is dark, dry and maintains a room temperature, such as a kitchen or a dedicated dark room.
Must-Have Equipment
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- Drying rack
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- Fan
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- Hygrometer
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- Conditioner and dehumidifier (optional but recommended).
With these tools, you’ll be able to successfully create the optimal environment for drying your cannabis.
How To Trim Cannabis Buds
When discussing the process of drying cannabis, it’s important to mention trimming.
Trimming involves removing the sugar leaves from your buds, and there are two methods: Dry trimming and wet trimming.
Dry Trimming
Dry trimming is done after the buds have dried but before they are cured.
This process involves cutting the plant at its base, hanging it upside down in a controlled environment with a fan, allowing it to dry, then snipping off each branch and trimming them.
Once the trimming is complete, the buds move on to the curing process.
Wet Trimming
Wet trimming, on the other hand, is done immediately after harvest. The leaves are removed while they are still wet and sticky.
The trimmed buds are then placed on a drying rack in a room with a fan, and once the individual buds are dry, they are cured.
Both methods have their pros and cons.
Wet trimming is easier and faster but can result in a lower quality product, while dry trimming takes longer but results in a smoother product.
It’s up to you to decide which method is best.
When Is It Done?
Marijuana will be dry and ready to cure when you take a stem, bend it and hear a snap.
If your marijuana is bending instead of snapping it probably needs a little more time in the drying room.
It’s important to mention that without utilizing proper curing techniques your buds won’t be high quality.
What’s Curing?
Curing is the process of trimming the buds of the branches and placing them in containers with controlled airflow.
Curing cannabis buds after they have been freshly collected promotes the breakdown of byproducts, which enhances the flavor and aroma of the buds.
The carbohydrates and starches that plants store for future growth are still present in the buds when they are initially harvested.
Airborne microbes and enzymes will eventually attack these compounds.
By eliminating these byproducts, growers can produce buds that smoke more easily and have more appealing aromas and flavors.
How To Cure Your Marijuana
Creating A Dark Room
Creating a dark environment for curing is best for preventing the degradation of THC and terpenes.
Use mason jars or glass jars that filter out visible light except for violet, or use auto-curing buckets or professional curing technology.
How To Store Weed Buds
Place the dry buds in airtight containers filled to 75% capacity.
Test the readiness of the buds for curing by shaking the jar.
If the buds rattle freely, they are ready. Clumped together? Let them dry further.
Monitoring Humidity
Monitor humidity and temperature levels during the curing process. Optimal humidity is between 45-65% and optimal temperature is around 21°C/69.8°F.
Use a hygrometer to measure humidity and check for mold development at least twice a day for the first 24 hours.
Lower humidity levels if necessary by leaving containers open for longer periods or adding humidity packs.
Burping The Buds
No matter the humidity level, open the containers once or twice per day for a few minutes during the first week of curing.
This process is known as “burping.”
It will allow moisture to escape and refills the container with oxygen.
Opening a container and smelling ammonia signals that the buds are not sufficiently dried, which allows bacteria to consume them and produce moldy, rotten cannabis.
If that’s the case, remove the lid and close it once again after a day.
After the first week, burp your containers only once every few days or so.
How Long Until Marijuana Is Cured?
Your marijuana should be cured after two to four weeks in containers to provide you with a tasty, aromatic, and high-quality experience.
Certain people like to cure for four to eight weeks, and some strains even benefit from curing for six months or longer.
It all depends on what you are drying and curing.
The Bottom Line
In order to have high-quality buds with an aromatic terpene smell, you’ll have to complete the curing process after drying your marijuana.
Drying marijuana is not difficult, just set it in a controlled environment with enough airflow, proper temperature, moisture, and it will be dry after five to seven days.
For the curing process, place your buds into the container and burp it once per day in the beginning and every few days after two weeks, repeat the process for at least 4 weeks to properly cure your marijuana.