Planning for the post-harvest phase is a pivotal step in the journey of cultivating cannabis. It is during this phase that your harvested crop undergoes a transformational stage crucial for enhancing the potency and flavor of your yield. Veterans in the field of cannabis production often declare that the magic truly unfolds during the drying, curing, and storage processes.
After harvesting, the freshly cut cannabis plants are laden with moisture. The primary aim of the drying stage is to lessen this natural moisture without damaging the bud. This is usually achieved by hanging the plants upside down or neatly cutting the flowers off the plant. Once the drying phase is concluded, the buds are meticulously trimmed and carefully stored in containers. This halts any further moisture loss and safeguards the flavors and aromas of the buds, leading to an optimal cannabis experience.
In this guide, we illuminate the best practices for drying and curing your cannabis, to yield high-quality, flavorful results.
Why it is Important to Dry & Cure Buds After Harvest?
Here’s why growers invest time and effort in these post-harvest processes:
- Breaks down chlorophyll: Drying and curing transform the raw, “green” taste of freshly harvested cannabis into a smoother, more palatable experience. By slowly breaking down chlorophyll during curing, it dramatically improves the taste and smoothness of the buds.
- Eliminates the “fresh hay” smell: Newly harvested cannabis often carries an unpleasant “fresh hay” or “cut grass” scent. Proper drying and curing methods help to dissipate this odor, unveiling the cannabis strain’s unique smell and subtle flavors.
- Reduces harshness: Cannabis that’s been dried and cured properly is less likely to cause coughing or headaches upon consumption. This reduction in harshness makes for a more enjoyable smoking or vaping experience.
- Mitigates anxiety and negative effects: Correctly cured buds tend to produce a more balanced effect, lessening the likelihood of anxiety, racing thoughts, or paranoia. This is essential for medical users or those sensitive to the more intense effects of THC.
- Lowers risk of mold and bacteria: Drying reduces moisture content in the buds, which decreases the chance of mold or bacteria growth. This is crucial for safe consumption and long-term storage of cannabis.
- Potentially increases potency: Though the evidence is mostly anecdotal, many believe that curing can actually increase the potency of cannabis. Something about the slow curing process might alter the composition of cannabinoids and terpenoids, subtly changing the way the buds affect users.
The transformation that occurs during these processes is profound. Trying buds that have been freshly harvested versus those that have been carefully dried and cured can offer a firsthand understanding of their impact. Many growers attest that not only do these methods make the buds more potent to some degree, but they also enhance the overall consumption experience, whether smoked, vaporized, or used in edibles. This is likely a result of the alteration in cannabinoids and terpenoids profiles during curing.
The Importance of Technique
Understanding the nuances of how to successfully dry and cure your cannabis is essential. The best practices for drying involve a slow, controlled process that avoids rapid moisture loss which can lock in unwanted tastes and smells. As for curing, perfecting this art every time ensures the highest quality buds, with preserved flavors, aromas, and potency.
While traditional curing is widely practiced and well-studied, it’s worth noting that there are other methods, such as water curing, which might offer different benefits and drawbacks1
For anyone cultivating cannabis, dedicating time to mastering drying and curing is not just about following processes but is an investment in quality, potency, and the overall enjoyment of the final product.
Drying and Curing Marijuana
Drying and curing marijuana are two essential post-harvest steps to enhance and preserve the quality, flavor, and aroma of the cannabis buds. Even though each is distinct in their process, they collectively work to transform cannabis buds from their raw, freshly-harvested state to a smooth, flavorful end product. Let’s delve into each process to gain a better understanding.
Drying Marijuana
When cannabis is freshly harvested, the plant is still full of water and other active substances. The drying process initiates the gradual evaporation of water content to reduce potential for mold growth, while maintaining the buds quality and integrity.
Process of Drying
- Harvest and Initial Prep: After harvesting cannabis, large fan leaves are usually pruned. This is followed by either trimming the buds directly off the branches and laying them on drying racks or hanging entire branches upside down in a controlled environment.
- The Drying Environment: The ideal drying space should be cool, dark, and have controlled humidity — typically between 55%-65%. Temperature should be reasonably steady, ranging from 60°F to 70°F (15°C to 20°C). An airflow system, like a fan, helps maintain this environment, but it should never blow directly onto the buds.
- Drying Duration: The drying process typically lasts between 7-14 days, but could go longer based on the environmental conditions. The goal is to allow the buds to dry out slowly. Buds are adequately dried when the stems snap rather than bend.
Curing Marijuana
The curing process begins soon after drying, with the specific objective to enhance and stabilize the quality and flavor of the buds. Curing further minimizes the moisture content within the bud, without losing precious cannabinoids or terpenes, leading to a smoother burning, flavorful experience.
Process of Curing
- Initial Curing Prep: Once the buds are satisfactorily dried, they are trimmed off the branches and placed in airtight containers, preferably glass jars. Ensure the containers are filled to three-quarters full and stored in a cool, dark, and slightly humid place.
- Burping the Jars: In the initial 1-2 weeks, jars should be opened frequently (at least once daily) to allow moisture to escape and fresh air to enter. This process is often called “burping.” It helps to prevent mold growth and adjusts the relative humidity inside the jar.
- Duration of Curing: Curing is a relatively slow process, typically lasting between 2-4 weeks. However, some cannabis growers prefer to extend this stage up to several months to further enhance the quality of the buds.
Dry & Cure Your Marijuana the Right Way
For the Best Quality, Smell, Taste & Potency
Step 1: Harvest Your Plant
Harvesting:
- Method: You can choose between cutting the whole plant at its base, trimming branches individually, or snipping buds directly.
- Tip: Your harvesting method may vary based on your environmental condition and the specific drying method you plan to use.
Step 2: Trimming
Pre-Drying Trimming:
- Initial Step: Before initiating the drying process, remove large fan leaves and, if preferred, smaller leaves close to the buds to reduce moisture and accelerate drying slightly.
- Humidity Consideration: Your trimming intensity might be influenced by the local humidity levels:
- Dry Conditions: More leaves may be left on to slow drying.
- Average Humidity: Standard trimming applies.
- High Humidity: More aggressive leaf removal or even bud detachment from branches to foster better airflow and reduce mold risk.
Step 3: Initiating Drying
Setting Up Your Drying Environment:
- Optimal Conditions: Aim for about 70°F (21°C) with around 50% humidity to ensure a slow, steady drying process. This environment prevents bud degradation and preserves cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Environment Adjustment Tools: Employ the use of air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or heaters to maintain these conditions depending on your local climate.
Step 4: Drying Process
Conducting the Drying:
- Duration: Typically, the drying phase lasts about one week, but it can extend depending on environmental conditions and bud size.
- Indicators: Buds are ready for the next stage when smaller stems snap rather than bend on manipulation.
Step 5: Curing
Starting the Cure:
- After drying, place your cannabis in quart-sized, wide-mouthed mason jars, leaving some space for air. Make sure the environment is stable, matching the ideal drying conditions as closely as possible.
Daily Maintenance:
- Burping: Open the jars at least once daily for the first two weeks to let moisture out and fresh air in, adjusting based on the humidity level inside the jar.
- Monitoring: Use hygrometers inside the jars to keep a close watch on humidity levels, aiming for 55-62%.
Duration and Considerations:
- Curing Period: A minimum of two weeks is recommended, though longer periods may further improve the quality.
- Observation: Keep an eye out for any signs of mold and adjust the burping frequency as necessary.
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Now! Storing Harvested Cannabis Buds
After a successful harvest, cure, and dry, you need to store your cannabis buds properly to keep them fresh, potent, and enjoyable for as long as possible. Ideal cannabis storage shares certain aspects with aging fine wine or whiskey—it includes keeping the buds in a cool, dark place away from molds and mildew, which tend to thrive in temperatures between 77-86°F (25-30°C).
Excessive heat can dry out the key cannabinoids and terpenes that took months to develop during the plant’s growth cycle. When these essential oils get too desiccated along with the plant material, they can undergo chemical changes that result in a hot, harsh smoke.
Here are some tips for optimal cannabis bud storage:
Core Tips for Storing Buds
- Location: Store your cannabis out of direct sunlight in a consistently cool, dry place.
- Container: Use neutral, airtight containers for storage, such as glass mason jars.
- Humidity Monitoring: Utilize hygrometers or products like Boveda packs to monitor and control humidity levels within your storage containers.
- Minimize Oxygen: Vacuum seal jars and containers to minimize oxygen exposure, which can degrade cannabis quality over time.
- Strain Separation: Keep strains separate to maintain individual flavor profiles, and remember to label each with a date to avoid confusion.
Remember, proper storage is critical to maintaining the quality and effectiveness of your cannabis. Taking the right steps can keep cannabis buds fresh and potent for up to two years.