It is important to cure cannabis properly to get the best product. The difference between high-quality flowers and concentrates, and inferior cannabis products is all in How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed. After the buds have been harvested, dried, and trimmed, the final step in cannabis cultivation is curing.
Curing cannabis is important for several reasons. Curing weed properly will give you the smooth, aromatic, and flavorful experience that cannabis connoisseurs are looking for when they smoke high-quality flowers.
The shelf life of the product can be extended by using a proper cure to maintain maximum THC or CBD levels.
Curing cannabis controls moisture as well by regulating the moisture content in all parts of the bud. During the curing procedure, the water inside the flower is transferred to the exterior leaves which contain less moisture. This ensures that the cannabis bud has a consistent level of moisture.
How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed
So, you’re curious about how to curate damp cannabis weed to ensure quality and shelf life. Well, when growing cannabis, the key step is curing and drying.
How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed. Drying involves airing out harvested buds to reduce moisture. Curing, on the other hand, completely dries buds for flavor enhancement. If you’re eager to learn, you’re in the right spot!
How To Properly Dry Weed
When cannabis plants are harvested they contain a large amount of moisture. The flower sold at dispensaries is already dried and cured.
Trim the sugar leaves to make the buds look more attractive. How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed. Depending on the climate, this helps speed up the drying, which may take a few days or three weeks.
Every grower has their unique process (weight, moisture content, and bud size), but there are some basic steps that all plant parents should take, whether they’re in a large cultivator, or if they’re growing plants themselves at home.
1. Prepare A Drying Area
Keep your drying area between 60-70 degrees and 45%-55% humidity. Some recommend between 60-65 and 50%-60% humidity.
Clean the area with a disinfectant solution if it has previously been used to grow or harvest crops. This will prevent the growth of pathogens.
It is possible to dry outdoors, but it is not recommended due to the lack of control over temperature and humidity.
2. Create The Space
Install a fan to circulate the air. How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed. Static air increases the chance of mold growth and pathogens.
Buy a thermometer or a hydrometer to monitor temperature and humidity during the drying process.
If necessary, place an air conditioner in the enclosed area to maintain the temperature between 60 and 70.
It may be necessary to use a dehumidifier to maintain the right humidity level for the drying of cannabis flowers.
You’ll also need to make a hanger using a heavy-duty rope or wooden pole. You can also use a mesh or wire drying rack as an alternative.
3. How To Hang Buds
To allow more air to flow and faster drying, remove the large fan and sugar leaves before hanging up the flower.
Cannabis buds can be hung using a similar setup to a clothesline. Plants can also be hung in a single plant or with branches separated to promote airflow.
Drying racks can be used, but the buds must be rotated and laid out periodically to maintain their shape.
Ideal cannabis flowers should have 8% to 11% inner moisture. The perfect moisture level in your cannabis flower helps to preserve the delicate terpenes found within the trichomes. Cannabis flower that has the correct moisture content should have a pleasant smell and taste, and shouldn’t be harsh to inhale.
How To Properly Cure Weed
How to cure weed? Here are some basic guidelines.
Glass is ideal for How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed as it leaves no aroma. Plastic containers can be used but the trichomes will stick to them and rob your buds of their potency. It is not a problem with stainless steel containers, but they can give your cannabis a metallic taste or smell. Paper bags can be used for smaller quantities of flowers.
You should keep your cannabis containers in a dark room, with a temperature of 60-65 degrees and humidity between 50-60%.
To keep the right humidity, “burp” containers regularly. Cannabis breathes by releasing gases from humidity. When “burping,” moist air exits, replaced by drier room air. Burp jars 1-3 times daily in the first week, 2-3 times weekly in week two, then weekly thereafter.
When squeezed, a properly cured bud will have its iconic aroma.
If the buds are properly cured, the terpene smell will be prominent, and they should have a dry, but sponge-like feel to them. They should also retain their shape when squeezed. If the flower starts to smell musty after the first burping or you notice any condensation, take the buds out of their container to air dry for 12 to 24 more hours.
It can take from a week to up to two months for a cannabis variety to be properly cured, depending on the type of flower used and the curing conditions. Some growers like to cure their cannabis flower even longer. They may want to do so for as long as six months.
It is recommended that the moisture content of properly dried and cured cannabis buds be between 8 and 11%. Hygrometers can be used, but it may take some time to get the hang of them as they were not designed for measuring moisture in cannabis flowers.
Conclusion
Here’s How To Curate Damp Cannabis Weed to preserve quality and shelf life. The process of drying cannabis will become easier with practice and fine-tuning. Here are some guidelines to follow the first time you dry cannabis at home.