Thank you very much for your input. A little side info, my drying room is stable @ 50% RH, 19C. The buds are on the larger side, once plants are trimmed everything lives in
https://www.lamota.org/en/hanging-drying-rack-round/# until the whole thing (the rack collapses) goes into a large garbage bag. This is done so that the racks can be removed, expanded, and hung again with ease if need be. Ive essentially been using the method described in this thread, but never as exact, measuring RH etc.
Normally everything gets left on the racks until, by feel, its ready to go into the garbage bags to sweat. This time however, I started bagging the racks and measuring the RH periodically to get a feel for where I was on the humidity/schedule compared to my previous method. It required constant monitoring to be sure there is no chance of mold, and takes a little longer than my previous method, but I think it has been beneficial to compare my "feel" to actual humidity levels. Also, with my previous method, I always ran the risk of overdrying in the first stage.
A quick point of note: In the beginning, around hr 48, I had tried to use a large tupperware tub to attempt to recreate this method on a larger scale. I wasn't comfortable with the way everything settled and compressed in the bottom with the high humidity levels (73% after about 2 hrs, and still rising). I find that bagging the racks keeps everything somewhat separate, the humidity seems to be spread more evenly throughout the product this way, and the desired effect is still achieved.
Product had been on the racks for ~84 hrs, with around 12 of those hrs wasted bagging/tubbing and checking RH only to remove and continue to hang after getting readings of 70%+ in a very short time, and in bags now for 12hrs since last night. Everything is now stabilizing in the mid to high 60s and based on what Ive seen, I'm confident that after ~8 or so hrs of bags being open for airflow, I will be able to tie them up one last time for a solid 12-24 hrs stretch of curing at the optimal RH range. Then it will be vac-sealed for long term storage/cure.
All in all, Its a little more work and takes a little longer than my previous method. But I think I can shave off some time once I try it again, and maybe only be ~24 hrs behind the old way. After reading the science behind what actually happens when curing in the optimal range, the detrimental effects of overdrying, and the benefits of a quality cure, I'm confident that the small sacrifice of time and effort will be well worth it. And really, considering the process from seed to smoke, what is an extra 24 hrs to do things the right way?
Thanks for starting this thread!