Drying and curing, just curious if it’s different for Organics

[meangreengrowinmachine]

Do you have any pics of your buds AT harvest. Legitimately one of the biggest things I see people do wrong is harvest too early, which then leads to drying to fast, which results in less then ideal smells and flavors .

I quit trying to "cure" weed years ago. After several experiments with it, I never saw a benefit to keeping it stored away for some amount of time. It never got "better" tasting or smelling, and it didn't get more potent so why bother.

The key is in a nice slow dry process. I would remove fan leaves and hang branches usually for 7-10 days. The stems would crack and the buds might feel kinda crispy on the outer edge, but still feel spongy inside. Then buck the buds into paper bags for another 4-7 days. Open them up once a day and shake the bag around to redistribute any moisture through everything evenly. Once you can take a bud out and it will grind up and smoke properly its done. Then put it into jars or bags for storage. I'd always make sure to check it the first week or so by smoking some every day and shaking the jar/bag around if it happened to still feel moist, but if I dried it correctly it would be perfect and taste amazing as soon as it was ready.

Curing is very much bullshit I have learned also, I used to do this method, now I just do the method above and honestly get lazy a lot of the time and just will leave it in there like a walk in cigar humidor!

 

[meangreengrowinmachine]

Also always Harvest at 10 weeks for me. Unless I know it is a sativa that will go longer.

 

[DankTankerous]

Curing is very much bullshit I have learned also, I used to do this method, now I just do the method above and honestly get lazy a lot of the time and just will leave it in there like a walk in cigar humidor!

that’s the thing I don’t understand, how is the bud that I get off the street smell more than mine when I grew it better. I must be cutting it early. I hate to admit it, but I don’t really look at the trich’s I watch the buds to see if they stop growing. I had a plant years ago where the trich’s would not turn. Nothing was happening with the buds, so I figured they wouldn’t change. Also from bud to bud, trich’s would be different. So I would just go by breeders notes and when it looks “done”

 

[PadawanWarrior]

that’s the thing I don’t understand, how is the bud that I get off the street smell more than mine when I grew it better. I must be cutting it early. I hate to admit it, but I don’t really look at the trich’s I watch the buds to see if they stop growing. I had a plant years ago where the trich’s would not turn. Nothing was happening with the buds, so I figured they wouldn’t change. Also from bud to bud, trich’s would be different. So I would just go by breeders notes and when it looks “done”

Give them longer next time. Post pics here when you think they're ready. And do you have a hygrometer?

 

[DankTankerous]

Give them longer next time. Post pics here when you think they're ready. And do you have a hygrometer?

Yeah, but it’s in my tent, I need to buy more

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Yeah, but it’s in my tent, I need to buy more

I buy the cheap little ones and throw one in each jar usually. They were like $1 a piece, but not they're like $2. They're not super accurate, but they work good enough for me.

When I get new ones, I always set them all on the counter and watch the readings. And check if any are really off. Most are fine.

 

[Thundercat]

yeah it’s what the breeder suggests 77 days. I think I’m not waiting on the trich’s either

Kinda what I figured. Breeders are notorious for giving the shortest possible times that will only happen in an ideal dialed in grow. Every plant will grow different in different grows. Heres what you really wanna look for.

The signs of ripeness are pretty standard for cannabis plants.

First a few of the pistils begin turning color and start receding. Your plant is just starting to ripen. Depending on the strain you could still have two months to go. We're just starting this journey.

Two to four weeks later you'll notice that most of the pistils(>80%) have now changed color and curled back into the bud. It's frosty, way bigger than it was a few weeks ago(aren't you glad you waited), and smells dank! It's time, right? Not a chance killer. Patience is a virtue.

Over the next 2-3 weeks it doesn't look much different, maybe a little more swelling in the calyxes, and the rest of the pistils change over, but the stems are starting to bend under the weight of the buds. These ladies are putting on weight internally by adding density and now the buds are doing their final ripening.

Now you begin looking at trichomes, on the calyx, not the leaves, and harvest according to your preference. When looking at trichomes it’s essential to look at them from the side. The bulbous heads can magnify the opaque stalk under it. Looking from the side allows you to more accurately see the condition of the resin in the trichome head.

There is still no rush to harvest, the window just opened, and you have several weeks before you MIGHT start having to think about it possibly beginning to get too ripe. It takes WEEKS for plants to mature not days.

It is very easy to harvest a plant to early. It is very hard to harvest a plant to late. I’ve never seen someone accidentally wait too long.

 

[DankTankerous]

Kinda what I figured. Breeders are notorious for giving the shortest possible times that will only happen in an ideal dialed in grow. Every plant will grow different in different grows. Heres what you really wanna look for.

The signs of ripeness are pretty standard for cannabis plants.

First a few of the pistils begin turning color and start receding. Your plant is just starting to ripen. Depending on the strain you could still have two months to go. We're just starting this journey.

Two to four weeks later you'll notice that most of the pistils(>80%) have now changed color and curled back into the bud. It's frosty, way bigger than it was a few weeks ago(aren't you glad you waited), and smells dank! It's time, right? Not a chance killer. Patience is a virtue.

Over the next 2-3 weeks it doesn't look much different, maybe a little more swelling in the calyxes, and the rest of the pistils change over, but the stems are starting to bend under the weight of the buds. These ladies are putting on weight internally by adding density and now the buds are doing their final ripening.

Now you begin looking at trichomes, on the calyx, not the leaves, and harvest according to your preference. When looking at trichomes it’s essential to look at them from the side. The bulbous heads can magnify the opaque stalk under it. Looking from the side allows you to more accurately see the condition of the resin in the trichome head.

There is still no rush to harvest, the window just opened, and you have several weeks before you MIGHT start having to think about it possibly beginning to get too ripe. It takes WEEKS for plants to mature not days.

It is very easy to harvest a plant to early. It is very hard to harvest a plant to late. I’ve never seen someone accidentally wait too long.

Good info.

from what I have gathered from the breeder and 4 other journals is 77+ I believe this is the OG leaning pheno, but in all honesty I figured 77 was truthful kind of seems long, but I’m in the long haul. I really think I was pulling early. Do you think there are too much nutrients in the soil?

 

[Thundercat]

Good info.

from what I have gathered from the breeder and 4 other journals is 77+ I believe this is the OG leaning pheno, but in all honesty I figured 77 was truthful kind of seems long, but I’m in the long haul. I really think I was pulling early. Do you think there are too much nutrients in the soil?

Honestly 77 days isn't even that long so if you are used to harvesting earlier then that, I really imagine that is your main issue.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Honestly 77 days isn't even that long so if you are used to harvesting earlier then that, I really imagine that is your main issue.

You'd be upset with me. I just chopped a plant today at day 52, lol.

 

[Thundercat]

You'd be upset with me. I just chopped a plant today at day 52, lol.

shit man I don't care what you do, and maybe your plant was ready. I just know what a finished plant looks like, and that I GREATLY prefer to smoke ripe buds. I've chopped plants early because of issues even after I learned the difference. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

Last year I chopped 2 GMO plants that needed another 2 weeks just because it was the easiest thing to do with the situation since I was growing in someone elses spot and they were ready to harvest their plants.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

shit man I don't care what you do. I just know what a finished plant looks like, and that I GREATLY prefer to smoke ripe buds. I've chopped plants early because of issues even after I learned the difference. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

Last year I chopped 2 GMO plants that needed another 2 weeks just because it was the easiest thing to do with the situation since I was growing in someone elses spot and they were ready to harvest their plants.

I was just teasing you. I did chop, but I had 3 and so I chopped one today, and will do another in a week, and another in 2 weeks. I think I like this strain best around week 9. We don't want to do them all the same weekend, so I like to spread it out.

I've got mad respect for you since you were the one to help me learn when to harvest originally. Roar man.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

OK, funny thing that happened tonight when harvesting. My son's girlfriend was over and was asking where the flowers were.

She though there were actual flowers on these plants, lol. She's a keeper. Oh, and she's in college.

 

[Lenin1917]

Just gotta be patient, Watch the trichs once all your pistils go red, I aim for all cloudy but a bit of amber is fine. Dry in a cool environment 60-70f 55-60rh. I do whole plant usually hangs about two-3 weeks. No cure, tastes great got mfs calling me “Mr Good Weedman”

main takeaway though be patient, let the plant show you when it’s ready.

things like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, air purifiers and environmental controllers make a big difference too. There’s no tricks really just knowing the numbers, and doing what you need to achieve them.

 

[OutdoorOpps]

Kinda what I figured. Breeders are notorious for giving the shortest possible times that will only happen in an ideal dialed in grow. Every plant will grow different in different grows. Heres what you really wanna look for.

The signs of ripeness are pretty standard for cannabis plants.

First a few of the pistils begin turning color and start receding. Your plant is just starting to ripen. Depending on the strain you could still have two months to go. We're just starting this journey.

Two to four weeks later you'll notice that most of the pistils(>80%) have now changed color and curled back into the bud. It's frosty, way bigger than it was a few weeks ago(aren't you glad you waited), and smells dank! It's time, right? Not a chance killer. Patience is a virtue.

Over the next 2-3 weeks it doesn't look much different, maybe a little more swelling in the calyxes, and the rest of the pistils change over, but the stems are starting to bend under the weight of the buds. These ladies are putting on weight internally by adding density and now the buds are doing their final ripening.

Now you begin looking at trichomes, on the calyx, not the leaves, and harvest according to your preference. When looking at trichomes it’s essential to look at them from the side. The bulbous heads can magnify the opaque stalk under it. Looking from the side allows you to more accurately see the condition of the resin in the trichome head.

There is still no rush to harvest, the window just opened, and you have several weeks before you MIGHT start having to think about it possibly beginning to get too ripe. It takes WEEKS for plants to mature not days.

It is very easy to harvest a plant to early. It is very hard to harvest a plant to late. I’ve never seen someone accidentally wait too long.

It could be the best info about harvest time (all together in the same place) for a long time if no all the time that I ever read.

peace

 

[youraveragehorticulturist]

The only air intake is what comes under the closet door? I would definetly try to get some more fresh air into the grow space. You don't want it all stuffy in there.

What kind of lighting are you using, and how are your temperatures during flowering? How far from the lights are your plants? Maybe it's too hot in the closet and you're burning off all your smelly terpenes.

Your buds look good, but maybe they are a little foxtailed. Some strains just do that, but sometimes it happens when it's too hot or the lights are too intense.

 

[DankTankerous]

The only air intake is what comes under the closet door? I would definetly try to get some more fresh air into the grow space. You don't want it all stuffy in there.

What kind of lighting are you using, and how are your temperatures during flowering? How far from the lights are your plants? Maybe it's too hot in the closet and you're burning off all your smelly terpenes.

Your buds look good, but maybe they are a little foxtailed. Some strains just do that, but sometimes it happens when it's too hot or the lights are too intense.

Well that’s where I dry them at. I just switched to a tent this round, last grows we’re in a cabinet with plenty of air exchange. I use a Quantum board, it’s one of HLG’s older models, dual board with 273 watt max (from the outlet). It’s 17-18” from the tallest bud and 20”from the lower tops. It’s on full power, the top with the most light is at 53k lumens, lower tops are 30-40k. Temps range from 79-81, can get up to but never over 84. Humidity is low like 35, I turned the humidifier on, only runs for like 4-6 hours. At night it’s 64, humidity 40. I’m growing in a 3x3x72”, fans blowing towards the top but on not the top. Outtake is a 4” hurricane in-line fan, one 6” and 4” intake, I’ll be adding another 6” intake. All intakes are lined with air filters, the outtake pushes into a carbon filter. She’s in a 12 gal sip with at 2-3gal reservoir, she’s growing in coot’s mix that’s on its 3-4 cycle. I top dressed earlier on with fish bone meal but have since stopped, it’s really high in P and it takes almost two months to break down. I top dress with my homemade worm castings, and grokashi. I’ll do two more EWC teas between now and week 10, it’ll probably go later than 77. Here she is at day 41.

let me know if you can’t see the pictures

 

[DankTankerous]

Do y’all see any deficiencies there? Little light on the top sugar leaves

 

[Thundercat]

Looks better than many of the grows that get posted on here .

 

[OutdoorOpps]

Well that’s where I dry them at. I just switched to a tent this round, last grows we’re in a cabinet with plenty of air exchange. I use a Quantum board, it’s one of HLG’s older models, dual board with 273 watt max (from the outlet). It’s 17-18” from the tallest bud and 20”from the lower tops. It’s on full power, the top with the most light is at 53k lumens, lower tops are 30-40k. Temps range from 79-81, can get up to but never over 84. Humidity is low like 35, I turned the humidifier on, only runs for like 4-6 hours. At night it’s 64, humidity 40. I’m growing in a 3x3x72”, fans blowing towards the top but on not the top. Outtake is a 4” hurricane in-line fan, one 6” and 4” intake, I’ll be adding another 6” intake. All intakes are lined with air filters, the outtake pushes into a carbon filter. She’s in a 12 gal sip with at 2-3gal reservoir, she’s growing in coot’s mix that’s on its 3-4 cycle. I top dressed earlier on with fish bone meal but have since stopped, it’s really high in P and it takes almost two months to break down. I top dress with my homemade worm castings, and grokashi. I’ll do two more EWC teas between now and week 10, it’ll probably go later than 77. Here she is at day 41.

let me know if you can’t see the pictures
View attachment 5068439View attachment 5068440View attachment 5068441View attachment 5068442View attachment 5068443View attachment 5068444View attachment 5068445

All that organic matter breaking down in there looks dangerous, I mean I top dress, mulch, but I do outdoors, in a tent I think could be risky, how you do manage to keep it fungus/diseases free? I do mulch fruits trees with his own pruning remains (grounded), but just in the midle of the lines trees never under them, and ofc, sun take care of fungus, but in there?

peace