drying

[ravenspyz7]

what does everyone think the best methord for drying your bud is

 

[HippyInEngland]

Dark warm place with good airflow.

 

[mrspliffy]

i hung mine in the tent i grew it in for 4 days then put it into paper liqour bags,checking on it every once in a while,moving the buds gently sometime taking out the bag a a few mins to let the excess moisture drain slowly from the bud,six days and i was smoking some great bud 2 weeks later after curing in a jar i was smoking the bomb,i only wish i had enough bud in the jar after 4 weeks.take your time patience is mans weakess

 

[PencilHead]

I'm a week out and nothing but ears. I'll be spending most of my time here for a bit.

 

[WeedHopper]

I use a Drybox with a small comp. fan to pull fresh air thru the box. My buds hang on a line in the box. After a week or two,,they go stright to Sealed Mason Jars to cure. Very important to Burp your Jars everyday. Some go from the Drybox to Paper Sacks and then to Jars. Thats up to you. I find my Buds are more sticky this way and I dont like DRY Bud. I like mine to where i have to smoke it in a bowl,,because its to sticky to roll.:hubba:
The fan goes into the square hole at the bottom. If you look up at the top in the back,,you will see the vent the air is pulled through and across my buds. The wire basket at the bottom is for small buds(Oh and its empty,,cause those little buds are ready to smoke very quickly). The Paper Sacks are for my Suger Leafs to dry and will be used for Hash Oil.

 

[7greeneyes]

If not spring or summer, (once cut down to the stump) I use a fan on oscillate behind a stand-alone radiant oil heaters set on/~79degreesFahrenheit once the main fan leaves have been removed. I let dry/crisp up a bit for no less then 3 daze-5daze. Cut the buds from the limbs and seal in my ginormous tupperwares to cure. I love me some tupperware! Happy 4/20 yall!

 

[WeedHopper]

If not spring or summer, (once cut down to the stump) I use a fan on oscillate behind a stand-alone radiant oil heaters set on/~79degreesFahrenheit once the main fan leaves have been removed. I let dry/crisp up a bit for no less then 3 daze-5daze. Cut the buds from the limbs and seal in my ginormous tupperwares to cure. I love me some tupperware! Happy 4/20 yall!

Is that glass or plastic? Plastic is not good for curing is it? I though it leached some of your Triches cause it's pouress?

 

[SherwoodForest]

I'm gonna stir this up a bit and suggest that while going through all kinds of speacial processes is cool, the fact is your weed is not going to be more potent if cured. The potency is directly related to two things, thc quantity, and dryness of bud. If the thc molecule has 2 or more water molecules next to it, the potency is down. If the thc molecule has one or no water molecules next to it, it is as potent as it will ever be. And a little drying cabinet is all fine and dandy, but hanging weed has zero effect on potency.

 

[WeedHopper]

I'm gonna stir this up a bit and suggest that while going through all kinds of speacial processes is cool, the fact is your weed is not going to be more potent if cured. The potency is directly related to two things, thc quantity, and dryness of bud. If the thc molecule has 2 or more water molecules next to it, the potency is down. If the thc molecule has one or no water molecules next to it, it is as potent as it will ever be. And a little drying cabinet is all fine and dandy, but hanging weed has zero effect on potency.

I dont remember him asking if it would make it more potent. Just wants to know how to dry and cure it properly. It taste a hell of alot better cured,,which is all fine a DANDY to me. Dont have a clue if it becomes more potent. I cure it for the taste. By the way,,where did ya get that Info,,,(THC molecule Thingy)I would like to read it.

 

[7greeneyes]

Is that glass or plastic? Plastic is not good for curing is it? I though it leached some of your Triches cause it's pouress.

I've done this nigh for 13 years now and always had great goopy crystally dankety dank skunk. Never heard of that one, would love to read up on this as seeing I've done this for years and never lost potency...ever...not once... You lose potency by ozone exposure during drying or light exposure or whatever exposure. To each their own! Keeper Green, buds and buddettes!

 

[7greeneyes]

I hope your really chonged cuz that made little to zip sense there big guy.

 

[Newbud]

Hi there 7greeneyes it may not be the chong factor lol possibly just someone given him misinformation :confused2: i honestly would not know but i was of the same conclusion due to numerous things i have read on the subject.
If this is not the case then we may stand corrected but it has been of general opinion in many posts i have read.
I do not have much experience at this game though so if we are wrong i personally welcome been corrected.
All the best friend

 

[WeedHopper]

I've done this nigh for 13 years now and always had great goopy crystally dankety dank skunk. Never heard of that one, would love to read up on this as seeing I've done this for years and never lost potency...ever...not once... You lose potency by ozone exposure during drying or light exposure or whatever exposure. To each their own! Keeper Green, buds and buddettes!

I hope your really chonged cuz that made little to zip sense there big guy

Dude what tha hell or you talking about. Not once did I tell the guy he would lose Potency..I "Questioned" the use of freaken plastic!!!!
I have read post's On This Forum,,by very good growers,,not to cure your BUd in Plastic because it leaches or something. I dont much give a **** about your 13yrs of Dank Bud In Plastic. Good for you,,Im proud of ya.
I thought I might be helping you by asking a question. Thanks,,for the Thanks Bro.
I just done a thread about this kinda crap. And here we go.

 

[Newbud]

Hey there Cowboy.
Your thinking on plastic is by no means limited to the views of this forum its regarded as being accepted across many forums i have visited.
Another place i am member of which is full of "mass producers", seed bank owners and the like also follow your/our opinion.
7greeneyes i not attacking you here man just passing this on, i have to say that this point of view is widely accepted.
Much love N.B

 

[WeedHopper]

Thanks Newbud for that Info. I knew I had read it many times,,and it makes sence. Hell Its hard to get that sticky **** off of glass,,much less plastic.
Anyway,,I was just trying to help the guy. Guess ya cant help someone who knows everything already.15yrs exp.
Hell,maybe 7G can help me. I am willing to listen and learn.

 

[pcduck]

I stored some weed in a tupperware thing and forgot it. The weed tasted like tupperware.


Oh yeah, I hang mine in a warm place with air circulation, then glass jars.

 

[SherwoodForest]

I cure it for the taste. By the way,,where did ya get that Info,,,(THC molecule Thingy)I would like to read it.

Oh ok, someone said they cured their weed and it became "the bomb", which implies it got more potent. For sure cured, slightly moist weed tastes extra good not trying to put it down. As far as the molecule thingy, shoot, that is info I've known for decades so I couldn't begin to show you where I read it.

 

[hydrochloride]

I think people throw it into a jar or plastic tub or whatever and then pull out a piece of cola and smoke it and think something has changed, when in fact they just got a good hit of the cola bud.....tomatoes tomatoes........it's all about preserving......

 

[Hick]

I "think" this was originally an overgrow FAQ, or possibly from MJ botany by clarke,. My apology to the author if I'm mistaken. (I prefer to credit the author/source of information correctly)

Curing takes place after cannabis has been harvested, manicured and partially dried. Most cannabis will retain a significant quantity of moisture within its stems and inner buds even when the outside feels dry. This is especially true for very dense buds, more care must be taken in drying loose airy buds because sometimes they can dry too fast.

Should a sample of bud become over-dried before proper curing is complete, many different techniques may be used to slightly re-hydrate the bud and continue curing as normal. Fresh buds, orange or lemon peels, lettuce, apple or many other fresh fruits and vegetables can be added to a sealed jar of pot to allow more moisture to diffuse into it. Plain water either sprayed directly on or applied via towel to the buds is also a good way to re-moisten them.

Be very careful when re-moisturizing buds though, because sometimes the re-moisturizing material can carry pathogenic fungi and bacteria, Which if not monitored carefully, can destroy your crop. Venting, checking, turning, and even re-moistening of buds is necessary so that the proper moisture content to promote curing is present, slow even drying is the optimum process for curing cannabis.

The preferred container for curing and storage of cannabis buds is an all glass jar, with a large opening for easy access. Wide-mouth canning jars with glass bodies and tops with a rubber seal are an ideal choice. Less preferred are small-mouth canning jars with metal or plastic lids. Generally try to avoid all plastics in direct or close contact with your cannabis. Generally these materials are slightly porous and the phenolic acids and terpenoids can react with plastics, but not with glass.

Initially drying can be preformed free hanging or enclosed in cardboard boxes or paper bags, both of which will act as a desiccant.

There are several process and effects which take place during curing that can rationally and scientifically explain the increase in potency and improvement of the smoke in cured material:

Moisture Content

Moisture is essential for the curing process, it is both your friend and enemy. If too much moisture is left in the buds, with out the regular mixing, venting and turning of buds involved with curing, molds and bacteria can quickly form and ruin the taste and potency of your stash. On the other hand, without the necessary moisture metabolic processes essential to curing do not take place.

Fresh cannabis plants are around 80% water (all %’s by weight); curing generally begins after the cannabis has lost half of it’s initial mass, and contains approximately 33% of it’s initial water.

Once curing is complete and the pot is “dry”, it should still contain 10-15% moisture, approximately 2-4% of its’ initial water. This is an ideal because most bacteria and molds can not grow below 15% water content, and below 10% cannabis buds tend to powder.

Cannabinoid Conversion

Naturally, as the metabolic processes continue during curing, the conversion of cannabergerol to tetrahydrocannabinol will continue and the potency of the pot will increase. This is because cannabergerol (CBG) is the non-psychoactive precursor for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Of course, the exact change in THC content will necessarily be dependant upon the concentration of CBG in the fresh material at harvest. Of course any remaining precursors necessary to form additional cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids will also be consumed and converted.

Be aware though if curing is excessively prolonged (most connoisseurs would agree after 6 months no more benefit could be had from curing), the conversion of THC to non-psychoactive cannabinol (CBN) will occur. The exact rate of decomposition can vary widely depending on handling and storage conditions, but can be less than 10% to greater than 40% decomposition per year.

Storage tips:

Potency during curing and storage can be maintained by observing some basic precautions:

# The buds need to be kept in the dark, protected from light, which will quickly decompose the THC.

# Moderated temperatures should be observed during curing, 50-75F being ideal.

# Excessively hot temperatures will promote oxidation and the growth of mold and bacteria, and very cold temperatures can prolong curing and drying for up to several months.

During storage, buds should be stored as cold as possible, if temperatures of 0C or less are to be used, make sure the bud is dried to a very low moisture content before storage (to insure that cell walls are not burst by the freezing water).
Also, if prolonged storage is planned evacuating the oxygen and replacing it with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, nitrous oxide, or any other inert gas will help slow oxidation, as well as the addition of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid packets or vitamin C tablets.

The most stable way to store cannabis is as whole unbroken buds or unpressed trichomes. Excessive rough handling or pressing can easily damage the protective cell walls and plant waxes that help protect cannabinoids from oxidation.

Continued Metabolism

Also as these metabolic process take place, the plant needs energy which leads it to consume the sugars, starches, nitrates, and minerals. Many of these compounds are metabolized and released as water and carbon dioxide, therefore removing what is essentially inert material from the pot increasing the concentration of cannabinoids therefore making it more potent.

Much of these positive metabolic processes can be most effectively begun with thourough flushing and stripping of the plant before harvest. This will help reduce the amount of time necessary for a good cure.

Curing will not only improve potency, but the color and look of most cannabis buds because as the chlorophyll is broken down purple, gold, and white coloration can emerge and the trichomes will appear more pronounced.

Decarboxylation

Some decarboxylization will take place during curing as well. This happens when the carboxyl group (COOH) located at C-2, C-4, or the end of the hydrocarbon chain at C-3 is destroyed leaving a hydrogen attached and liberating CO2.

Decarboxylization is necessary to convert cannabinoids to usable psychoactive forms; the plants (and your body) carboxylize cannabinoids to make them more soluble in water (for metabolic reactions and excretion).

Research indicates that this effect is fairly minimal during the curing process though. Decarboxylization will take place naturally very rapidly at temperatures of over 100C. So smoking and most any cooking will decarboxylize the cannabinoids. As decarboxylization occurs, the loss of CO2 will liberate a small amount of inert material making the pot more potent via concentration of the cannabinoids.

Taste & Odor

Terpenoids are the highly volatile compounds that give marijuana much of its’ characteristic odors, and therefore tastes.

The most current research also suggests terpenoids lend to the high, sometimes very significantly. Cannabinoids are phenolated terepenes so it’s not surprising that many hundreds of different terpenoids are synthesized as well.

As pot ages, some of the terpenoids go through polycyclic aromatization in the process of decomposition. This agglomeration of terpenoids will change the flavor; hence the ability of cured pot to show flavors that didn’t seem present in the original fresh material. Much of the very volatile terpenoids will also evaporate and or decompose, especially with prolonged curing or storage. This action will remove some matter from the pot increasing the cannabinoid concentration and therefore potency.

So, in fact, curing does effect the potency in a positive manner.

 

[WeedHopper]

Thanks Hick,,I knew I had read it somewhere. Not sure this is the one I read,,but it says the same thing.