Buds Drying Too Fast, Smells Like Hay... Help!

FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
I'm a newbie here and basically a newbie to growing. But I do my research before I attempt anything. So I'm in dire need of help that I can't Google.

This is my second harvest, but I had the same problem both times. The buds are drying extremely fast, which is odd considering the repulsively humid climate I live in.

This is what I've been doing:

First/Second time: manicured before hanging, hung single branches on string in a cardboard box with 2 out of 4 sides almost completely cut out for ventilation.

First time: went into dark closet at about 75f with no ventilation and no fan.

Second time: went into a different dark closet at about 82f with plenty of ventilation and a nice breeze from a fan

First time: bud dried in about 5 days

Second time: bud dried in 3 days

Yes, 3 days! I'm very disappointed. I walked in my house after work today to the nasty smell of hay and ran right for the closet to check. Thankfully some of my kola buds and still damp, but I want to salvage them if possible. I don't like smoking weed that smells like hay >_<

Now, I know the first thing you're going to tell me is to put them somewhere colder (65f-75f) which is not possible for me. I live in a wretchedly hot and humid state. I pay the electric company plenty to get my house to 78f. Unfortunately, the closets don't get as cool, even if I leave the doors open.

I have a feeling the heat is what's causing the quick drying, but I would think the RH in the house would more than make up for that. I don't have a humidity gauge, but let's just says during "winter" (which is right now) it's about 85f outside and about 90% humidity. So inside, I'd guess the humidity is about 70-80%.

My questions are:

1. If it's not the heat that's causing the quick drying, what do you suppose it might be?

2. Is there a method I can use that will make the buds dry slower?

3. Does the drying time actually affect the quality of the buds? Or should I be happy they're drying fast and go straight to curing?

4. I read somewhere to not water 2 days prior to harvesting; is this recommended? Would that explain the short drying time?

5. I have a minifridge I was planning on curing in. I haven't tested the temp yet, but I'm crossing my fingers that it will be the ideal curing temp if I adjust the air. If I can get this to the ideal drying temp, do you think brown-bag drying would be a better route?

Note: I'm going for quality here, so please refrain from posting answers that have to do with keeping my buds "heavy" or suggesting that I should be happy they're drying fast so I can smoke it sooner. This weed is for me, not for sale! And I want it to be fantastic.

Thanks in advance for your input!!
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
MRLD said:
how long do you hang dry your bud for?
Click to expand...

Well, the first time it only took 5 days to the point where it was crispy and smelled like hay. And this time, it only took 3 days to get to that point.

If you read my post, I have everything pretty detailed in there.

Thanks! 8)
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
I'd just like to add that when I say "first time" and "second time" that I'm referring to two different harvests.

The first was cut down in April 2009. This batch was just cut down 3 days ago.
 
F

freebird37

Member
FireCoral said:
I'm a newbie here and basically a newbie to growing. But I do my research before I attempt anything. So I'm in dire need of help that I can't Google.

This is my second harvest, but I had the same problem both times. The buds are drying extremely fast, which is odd considering the repulsively humid climate I live in.

This is what I've been doing:

First/Second time: manicured before hanging, hung single branches on string in a cardboard box with 2 out of 4 sides almost completely cut out for ventilation.

First time: went into dark closet at about 75f with no ventilation and no fan.

Second time: went into a different dark closet at about 82f with plenty of ventilation and a nice breeze from a fan

First time: bud dried in about 5 days

Second time: bud dried in 3 days

Yes, 3 days! I'm very disappointed. I walked in my house after work today to the nasty smell of hay and ran right for the closet to check. Thankfully some of my kola buds and still damp, but I want to salvage them if possible. I don't like smoking weed that smells like hay >_<

Now, I know the first thing you're going to tell me is to put them somewhere colder (65f-75f) which is not possible for me. I live in a wretchedly hot and humid state. I pay the electric company plenty to get my house to 78f. Unfortunately, the closets don't get as cool, even if I leave the doors open.

I have a feeling the heat is what's causing the quick drying, but I would think the RH in the house would more than make up for that. I don't have a humidity gauge, but let's just says during "winter" (which is right now) it's about 85f outside and about 90% humidity. So inside, I'd guess the humidity is about 70-80%.

My questions are:

1. If it's not the heat that's causing the quick drying, what do you suppose it might be?

2. Is there a method I can use that will make the buds dry slower?

3. Does the drying time actually affect the quality of the buds? Or should I be happy they're drying fast and go straight to curing?

4. I read somewhere to not water 2 days prior to harvesting; is this recommended? Would that explain the short drying time?

5. I have a minifridge I was planning on curing in. I haven't tested the temp yet, but I'm crossing my fingers that it will be the ideal curing temp if I adjust the air. If I can get this to the ideal drying temp, do you think brown-bag drying would be a better route?

Note: I'm going for quality here, so please refrain from posting answers that have to do with keeping my buds "heavy" or suggesting that I should be happy they're drying fast so I can smoke it sooner. This weed is for me, not for sale! And I want it to be fantastic.

Thanks in advance for your input!!
Click to expand...
ive noticed with my own experiance when your humidity hit's around 60% or higher you will start having a hay smell, no matter what the temp is. You already stated that your humidity is really high, maybe you should try getting a dehumidifier and dropping it to around even 40% and see what kind of result you will have. this has worked for me in the past with multiple harvests. just something else to think about. good luck
 
F

farmerDRO

Member
the smell comes from the curing process , from what i have read. im not an expert but i think that was my mistake b/c that happened to me and i swore im cutting my balls off if it happenes again . i cured for about 4 days in a big ass tulperware rubbermaid for 4 days opening up every hour but i just coulkdnt stop smokin like the weed was bad ass even tho the taste lol
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
freebird37 said:
ive noticed with my own experiance when your humidity hit's around 60% or higher you will start having a hay smell, no matter what the temp is. You already stated that your humidity is really high, maybe you should try getting a dehumidifier and dropping it to around even 40% and see what kind of result you will have. this has worked for me in the past with multiple harvests. just something else to think about. good luck
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'd read the only problem with humidity was chance of mold, so this idea is new to me. I will look into that!
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
farmerDRO said:
the smell comes from the curing process , from what i have read. im not an expert but i think that was my mistake b/c that happened to me and i swore im cutting my balls off if it happenes again . i cured for about 4 days in a big ass tulperware rubbermaid for 4 days opening up every hour but i just coulkdnt stop smokin like the weed was bad ass even tho the taste lol
Click to expand...
See, I would expect it more from the curing process since it would be locked up tight for quite some time. But I haven't even begun to cure it yet. I just cut down the plants 3 days ago. They've only been through the drying process so far. But, yeah, I know what you mean. It's frustrating. If this batch ends up tasting the same, I'd die... well, not literally.

But yes, the high is still really nice. I have White Satin ^_^ Which is precisely why I want the flavor to resemble hay a lot less! Haha!
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
I also want to add that, in this grow I didn't use any fertilizer. In my first attempt I thought that maybe I had used too much, causing the buds to fry.

Since I didn't use any fertilizer at all this time, I know I can eliminate that as a problem.
 
D

dbo24242

New Member
it will smell like hay, that is why you cure it. that way more of the smell comes out if it is in a jar. you want it to be dry dry dry for a proper cure this leave it a little damp stuff is wrong. i wanna get it dry enough that stick it in the grinder and 1/4 turn busts a powder of it.
 
rice420

rice420

Active Member
dbo24242 said:
it will smell like hay, that is why you cure it. that way more of the smell comes out if it is in a jar. you want it to be dry dry dry for a proper cure this leave it a little damp stuff is wrong. i wanna get it dry enough that stick it in the grinder and 1/4 turn busts a powder of it.
Click to expand...
Thats wierd i dont know why ud want to get it that dry.. Smoking powder is not pleasant and harsh plus its less potent dried out that much...

But for the original poster... You want to get it to a point where the outside gets crispy.... and its good to not complete your manicure until after you have hang dried. Do a good clean job but just leave some leaves to cover and protect the trichomes. When those leaves wrap around the nug and dry then You can put them in jars and let the nug sweat to outside of the nug. At first open twice a day for 30 minutes or so to let the nug crisp up again on the outside then put it back in for it to sweat out... This process breaks down the chlorophyl and oxidizes the thc to become its most potent form

This process is slow and tedious and you have to check on them everyday ... even twice a day at the start to check for mold or making sure it hasn't dried too much in the last few hours.. I've fucked this process up before so ive learned from experience just like yourself... Don't use a fan cause i did the same mistake and it dries out the nugs way to quick.. Thats why it only took 3 days with the fan and 5 days was just a lil too long of a time
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
rice420 said:
Thats wierd i dont know why ud want to get it that dry.. Smoking powder is not pleasant and harsh plus its less potent dried out that much...

But for the original poster... You want to get it to a point where the outside gets crispy.... and its good to not complete your manicure until after you have hang dried. Do a good clean job but just leave some leaves to cover and protect the trichomes. When those leaves wrap around the nug and dry then You can put them in jars and let the nug sweat to outside of the nug. At first open twice a day for 30 minutes or so to let the nug crisp up again on the outside then put it back in for it to sweat out... This process breaks down the chlorophyl and oxidizes the thc to become its most potent form

This process is slow and tedious and you have to check on them everyday ... even twice a day at the start to check for mold or making sure it hasn't dried too much in the last few hours.. I've fucked this process up before so ive learned from experience just like yourself... Don't use a fan cause i did the same mistake and it dries out the nugs way to quick.. Thats why it only took 3 days with the fan and 5 days was just a lil too long of a time
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. When you say to leave some of the leaves, do you mean all the leaves? Or should I cut away the fan leaves and leave the ones that poke out of the bud? Also, someone else suggested just hanging the whole plant, have you tried this and would you recommend if you have?

Just to be safe, I will switch the fan to the low-setting. Right now it's on high, but it's not blowing directly on the buds. I'm not sure I'm comfortable turning it off completely because of the level of humidity. :?
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
dbo24242 said:
it will smell like hay, that is why you cure it. that way more of the smell comes out if it is in a jar. you want it to be dry dry dry for a proper cure this leave it a little damp stuff is wrong. i wanna get it dry enough that stick it in the grinder and 1/4 turn busts a powder of it.
Click to expand...
Well, I'm a little worried about that because, with my first harvest last April, the bud smelled like hay and I still went ahead as recommended and hoped for the best. I still have some of that bud in the jar and it still smells and tastes like hay. :sad:

Plus, as Rice420 said, I like my bud to be a bit gooey. A little damp, but nice and spongy/springy. Mmmmmm ^_^
 
rice420

rice420

Active Member
FireCoral said:
Thanks for the reply. When you say to leave some of the leaves, do you mean all the leaves? Or should I cut away the fan leaves and leave the ones that poke out of the bud? Also, someone else suggested just hanging the whole plant, have you tried this and would you recommend if you have?

Just to be safe, I will switch the fan to the low-setting. Right now it's on high, but it's not blowing directly on the buds. I'm not sure I'm comfortable turning it off completely because of the level of humidity. :?
Click to expand...
Ya cut the big fan leaves but leave the tiny ones a lil bit on the buds... Cut majority but leave some for protection of the bud... Also will prevent them from overdrying. If you do hang the whole plant this just buys u more time to not let them dry out. Could take easily over a week with that method of hanging but i have heard good results but havent tried

I know someone who hangs whole plant for 2 days then cuts into stems hangs for 4 of 5 more days until stem snaps.. I've fond that you can somtimes put into jars bfore stems can snap as long as you constantly open them every 12 hours to check for mold and wetness.. Rearrange them and maybe take em out for an hour if they are wet
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
Rice:

Thanks! Now that you mention it, it makes sense. I mean, I used to hang dry roses so I could keep them longer. I noticed, the more mass to the flower, the more evenly (and gracefully) it dried. I'll try that next time for sure (new round just went into bloom 2 weeks ago). I really don't care how long it takes, I just want to (eventually) get to the point where it tastes, smells, and feels like I thought it would. I did a lot of reading before picking which strain I chose. Anyhow, in the meantime, my friend supplies me with regs (yuck!) That's why I'd like to get it right soon! Haha! In other words: Thanks for the advice. If I had to figure this out on my own it would take a lot longer!
 
DontDoDrugs

DontDoDrugs

Well-Known Member
the quality will still be pretty much the same, ive done both ways and its honestly not the biggest difference in the quality of the bud. if its drying to fast it could be that your fan is maybe pointed dirrectly at the drying buds, if you put your face in front of a fan for a couple hours it would dry up too lol. thats my guess because everything else seems good. but hey.. at least you dont have budrott.. now thats a problem lol. if you pur all the weed in jars it will become humid in a day or so. im sure the ouside of the bud is crispy but the inside will still be holding moisture. and why wouldnt you water for the last two days??? it must have been dehydrated before you chopped it.
 
jsteezy1290

jsteezy1290

Well-Known Member
leave the shit hanging until the stem snaps when you break it but its all up to the way you want your weed, if you want it soft then put them in the jars when the stem still bends, no one can tell you how you want it we can only lead you in the right direction which is put them in jars to cure
 
FireCoral

FireCoral

Active Member
DontDoDrugs said:
the quality will still be pretty much the same, ive done both ways and its honestly not the biggest difference in the quality of the bud. if its drying to fast it could be that your fan is maybe pointed dirrectly at the drying buds, if you put your face in front of a fan for a couple hours it would dry up too lol. thats my guess because everything else seems good. but hey.. at least you dont have budrott.. now thats a problem lol. if you pur all the weed in jars it will become humid in a day or so. im sure the ouside of the bud is crispy but the inside will still be holding moisture. and why wouldnt you water for the last two days??? it must have been dehydrated before you chopped it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. No, I didn't have the fan pointed at the buds. But I did go ahead and put them in a jar last night. This morning they were nice and moist again. Which is good because my last harvest never got moist again after going into the jars.

It still smells a bit like hay though. I guess no one has any suggestions for getting rid of that? :(
 
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