Drying & Curing process.. Concerns w/ mold.

Hey all,

This is my virgin post here but I have frequented this forum for a quite a while, and I intend to post on the occasional basis forthcoming.

I'm concerned w/ mold during the drying process as it's taking a lot longer due to the weather & I guess resources/equipment/technique play part too. There is no apparent issues yet, but there's naturally slight concern.

Here's a brief run-down - (fyi; I was not responsible for the cultivation & decided drying method.)

- In the midst of winter season at the moment - average forecasts between ~ 50-70 °F / R.H 50-80% ~

- 1x Northern Lights x Big Bud was harvested (8th July) - had been 'slow drying' for ~13 days in a dark room (newspaper spread on a bed, separated and laid evenly after manicure [not hangdried..] - no ventilation fans, humidifier/DE-humidifier or any reading instruments were available.. However, they were inspected upon and turned over daily).

- Bud at this stage is still obviously quite wet - so now have been placed as 2oz in paper-bags (bag horizontal for more surface area / buds lay evenly/flat - & 2x thin paper serviettes scrunched up to absorb more moisture) & put in wardrobe cupboard.

I intend to check on them regularly of course and continue the paper bag method for ~3-5 days before placing them into a hermetically sealed mason jar for the final curing stage.

This seem like the right way to go about this, considering the circumstances?

Much appreciated in advance.

Bump.

It's now been drying for 6 days in a brown paperbag & shoebox within my wardrobe cabinet in my bedroom, while outside temp. 40-50°F / R.H 80-100% at night/early morning. I am inspecting them regularly (every 6-12hrs) for mold/mildew, which I have thankfully controlled, despite.

The dankness has now only just been placed in a 2oz glass hermetic seal jar for sweating/curing... Hope they do alright... I will be burping every ~12hrs and laying them flat to aerate the moisture for at least half hour, for say; the next 3-5 days.

Nearly 3 weeks since harvest, and now only curing. This fine? & any advice would be great too.

Btw, I'd like to note - the trichome resins (particularly on the main colas), have ambered considerably during this slow drying/oxidization process, looking like brown sugar coat. I guess this isn't too bad for an indica dominant (Northen Lights x Big Bud)? They were 50/50 at harvest.. The first two days after harvest the entire crop was hung upside down in darkness for 48hrs too. The plant was flushed properly for 12 days.

The only thing I would ever lay a wet bud on is a drying screen. You should be hang drying those or invest in a drying rack. You need fresh air just like a grow. Fresh air in - stale air out - and room air circulating. 13 days is a long dry - you might want to cut buds open and see if there is anything growing in there.

Julius Caesar said:

The only thing I would ever lay a wet bud on is a drying screen. You should be hang drying those or invest in a drying rack. You need fresh air just like a grow. Fresh air in - stale air out - and room air circulating. 13 days is a long dry - you might want to cut buds open and see if there is anything growing in there.

Click to expand...

I understand, but as I mentioned above; if I had a choice in the drying process I'd of done things differently - i.e use drying racks and hang dry, control humidity/temp and monitor w/ correct instruments.

I have already cut the main colas into medium nuggets already (did this initially), for concerns w/ the mold and to help dissipate moisture... The buds seem fine.

At this stage the buds are dry enough to be jarred. Every 12 hours I lay out in shoebox for 3-6 hours - repeating this for the next 3-5 days... Then just the burping twice a day for half hour I guess.

My other concern also was that all trichomes seem like brown sugar (ambered), particularly after this slow drying process, & more prominent on the main colas. There is also a noticeable color difference between the main cola buds to the others - dark/army green as opposed to light, bright green.. It common for a late harvest indica dominant, or related to the slow drying/weather?

& this slow drying through winter, is it okay for the bud - providing mold is prevented throughout?

Soma I can appreciate your drying conditions, I live high up in the mountains where year round the temps run between 50 and the mid 70s with the humidity according to the weather service averages 94%. That being said I dry by hanging them in a room of my house which has a cross breeze almost constantly and they can hang for literally 3 to 4 weeks before they are ready to jar. Relax and enjoy during the drying process as long as you have good airflow you shouldn't have a problem. Do get a screen though it is not good to have them on any solid surface drying. Personally I think you are way better off taking the slow dry process, you will have much better tasting buds. Good Luck and welcome to RIU

canefan said:

Soma I can appreciate your drying conditions, I live high up in the mountains where year round the temps run between 50 and the mid 70s with the humidity according to the weather service averages 94%. That being said I dry by hanging them in a room of my house which has a cross breeze almost constantly and they can hang for literally 3 to 4 weeks before they are ready to jar. Relax and enjoy during the drying process as long as you have good airflow you shouldn't have a problem. Do get a screen though it is not good to have them on any solid surface drying. Personally I think you are way better off taking the slow dry process, you will have much better tasting buds. Good Luck and welcome to RIU

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Cheers for response - & bit belated in recognition, but much appreciated for your welcoming too.

Thought I'd let you know I've been curing successfully for over 7 days now (looking and smelling better every few days). I'm still burping the jar 1-2x p/day for 20-40 minutes (depending on temp/humidity).

Right now, during the early morning it's ~ 55°F / 80% R.H ~

In 3 days from now I'll probably burp & shuffle less frequently - i.e once p/day for 30 min... & continue this for another ~ 2 weeks... Then once p/wk I believe should suffice.

--

I've also purchased a few tools recently, that should come useful;

- HygroSet II Adjustable Digital Hygrometer
http://www.hygroset.com/products_detail.asp?ID=577

- BeLOMO-Zeiss 10x Triplet Loupe Loop
http://www.belomo.us/belomo-10x-triplet-loupe-magnifier.html

edit:

This is the jar I'm using too..

http://www.420science.com/Small-Latch-Top-Jars

You have to air the buds out so at least 50% of the moisture in the bud itself is gone.. Then you use the water in the stalk to cure and slowly dry.. It should take 14-30 day for a good smoke. Obviously a good strain also!! What I do is wrap them up like flowers with plain paper.. a3 size the then hang them in the tent in the european winter.. well thats what i used to do... They dry out in 3-4 days in the ten with 12 hour lights while the others where in the tent going.. then after 4 days take them out.. carbord box.. and just see how it goes.. never ever keep a wet bud in a closed container.. EVER!!! I have seen people loose and cry!! Good luck to all and remember, Its a Secret!