How dark is dark for drying?

UV light has a negative effect on trichs, during the first days of the drying process chlorophyll is dying (hay smell) and will no longer produce sugars. Direct light can destroy the trichs if there is enough UV present, light will also extend the drying period if the chlorophyll is allowed to process nutrients into sugars. The purpose of restricting the light to pure darkness is to hasten to drying process by killing the chlorophyll as fast as possible.

With this next run I will attempt drying at a faster rate than I have in the past to compare the results against a longer and a shorter drying period. I have a feeling that if I can reduce the time it takes to dry the quality should improve.
 
Aristoned said:
UV light has a negative effect on trichs, during the first days of the drying process chlorophyll is dying (hay smell) and will no longer produce sugars. Direct light can destroy the trichs if there is enough UV present, light will also extend the drying period if the chlorophyll is allowed to process nutrients into sugars. The purpose of restricting the light to pure darkness is to hasten to drying process by killing the chlorophyll as fast as possible.

With this next run I will attempt drying at a faster rate than I have in the past to compare the results against a longer and a shorter drying period. I have a feeling that if I can reduce the time it takes to dry the quality should improve.
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Sock hangers - good one. Sponge - do you ever get mold?
Fladawg01 said:
Here is my converted wine fridge I call it my curearaetor. It is a compressor unit, but holds and maintains an average 58 to 61 degree temp and humidity level of 55%. I added a tray on the very bottom that holds water and a sponge to add moisture and a USB powered fane blowing across the sponge, no direct air on the buds as they hang. Purchased a sock hangar off TEMU and can hang buds on stems up to 16 inches in length, what can't hang gets put into small boxes or bags and put on remaining shelves. Most I have ever had inside is 1.5 plants that yielded 8 oz dry weight afterwards. Not sure what my wet weight was when I stuck it in the unit, would have to find my notes. Total cost of the unit: $40 for the fridge off FB market place, $3 for the USB fan, $6 for the sock hangar, and $5 for the limo tint film on glass door. Drying time from 7 to 10 days depending on amount, to get to 12% moisture on wood meter.
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Sock hangers - good one. Sponge - do you ever get mold?

You stick your buds with a wood meter? That's a good idea, I'll get mine out.
 
Aristoned said:
UV light has a negative effect on trichs, during the first days of the drying process chlorophyll is dying (hay smell) and will no longer produce sugars. Direct light can destroy the trichs if there is enough UV present, light will also extend the drying period if the chlorophyll is allowed to process nutrients into sugars. The purpose of restricting the light to pure darkness is to hasten to drying process by killing the chlorophyll as fast as possible.

With this next run I will attempt drying at a faster rate than I have in the past to compare the results against a longer and a shorter drying period. I have a feeling that if I can reduce the time it takes to dry the quality should improve.
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So you think when the hay smell is gone, they're ready to jar?
 
stawawager said:
Do you get much differentiation between your four hydrometers?
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Very little, per below.

The sensors, #1 - #5, are on the shelves, in order, with #1 at the top.

The AC Infinity is reading an average of 63% so they're all very close (I calibrated the Govee's recently).

1740357839616.jpeg
 
stawawager said:
Sock hangers - good one. Sponge - do you ever get mold?
Sock hangers - good one. Sponge - do you ever get mold?

You stick your buds with a wood meter? That's a good idea, I'll get mine out.
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Because I am very mold aware, I swap out the sponge almost twice weekly. It is also synthetic so less chance. It does evaporate rather quickly inside, the tray onluy holds about 6 oz of water for the sponge. I also make sure when I hang branches to make sure none touch the back plates where the coils are behind to avoid any droplets from getting on the buds in the back.
 
Fladawg01 said:
Because I am very mold aware, I swap out the sponge almost twice weekly. It is also synthetic so less chance. It does evaporate rather quickly inside, the tray onluy holds about 6 oz of water for the sponge. I also make sure when I hang branches to make sure none touch the back plates where the coils are behind to avoid any droplets from getting on the buds in the back.
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Cool.

I stabbed some hanging flowers with the wood tester - between 19-22%. Only 3 days from harvest. At what % do you jar them?
 
stawawager said:
Cool.

I stabbed some hanging flowers with the wood tester - between 19-22%. Only 3 days from harvest. At what % do you jar them?
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I don't take them out of dry until I am measuring between 11 & 13% moisture. My meter has sseveral settings, I use the one set for under 16% and above 4% I think it is setting 2. But they are all similar yet different in the settings. My meetr is narrow not the wide spread contact points, and I measure nearest the stem where the first bud starts. I will work my way up the bud a little, but from what I have learned it is nearer the stem where you should get your best read. This is the one I have, Temu $8 Mine is actually a HT67, but couldn't find the image, probably the newer model I would suspect.

image_2025-02-24_133037014.png
 
At this time of year, my basement is PERFECT for the 60F/60RH method. I hang dry the plants for a minimum of 14 days...sometimes longer. Typically, I test the dryness by bending one of the thinner stems. It's pretty easy to tell if there is too much moisture because the stems will bend too easily. But once they get dry enough to get a bit of a kink in the bend and hold it, that's my signal to start trimming. I start with the thinnest stems, first, and then move onto the thicker stems. But it is a daylight basement so there are times of the day where it can get pretty bright. I solved the light issue by getting one of those inexpensive (~$40) zippered closets. Of course, I only grow a few plants, so it might not be practical for larger grows.

EDIT: I haven't had too much luck with using any type of meters. I feel like it's cool to use them to confirm what I already know from the experience of many, many grows over the years. But sometimes, if you put too much trust in a meter, then they will let you down.
 
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Fladawg01 said:
I don't take them out of dry until I am measuring between 11 & 13% moisture. My meter has sseveral settings, I use the one set for under 16% and above 4% I think it is setting 2. But they are all similar yet different in the settings. My meetr is narrow not the wide spread contact points, and I measure nearest the stem where the first bud starts. I will work my way up the bud a little, but from what I have learned it is nearer the stem where you should get your best read. This is the one I have, Temu $8 Mine is actually a HT67, but couldn't find the image, probably the newer model I would suspect.

View attachment 5453940
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Moisture meters used to be hundreds.

From the stem huh? That's good to know for sure. I stuck it in the sticky, busting trichs. Watermelon candy. smells as sweet as a magnolia.
 

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tstick said:
At this time of year, my basement is PERFECT for the 60F/60RH method. I hang dry the plants for a minimum of 14 days...sometimes longer. Typically, I test the dryness by bending one of the thinner stems. It's pretty easy to tell if there is too much moisture because the stems will bend too easily. But once they get dry enough to get a bit of a kink in the bend and hold it, that's my signal to start trimming. I start with the thinnest stems, first, and then move onto the thicker stems. But it is a daylight basement so there are times of the day where it can get pretty bright. I solved the light issue by getting one of those inexpensive (~$40) zippered closets. Of course, I only grow a few plants, so it might not be practical for larger grows.

EDIT: I haven't had too much luck with using any type of meters. I feel like it's cool to use them to confirm what I already know from the experience of many, many grows over the years. But sometimes, if you put too much trust in a meter, then they will let you down.
Click to expand...
I selective harvest. Two advantages. Don't have to do it all at once and let the neglecting colas mature. I'm 65F/39RH. I left the leaves on to retain moisture, they're hanging in groups of 3 or more from a single wire so touching. That was a mistake in the long run.

Definitely will rely on tactile testing and checking meter too.

At least I won't have to worry about mold at 39RH

14 days that's a long time. They keep smelling better and better or level off?

My original dryer...20250130_212842.jpg20250130_212631.jpg

Edit: was going to separate the clumps of 3 but just going to leave them alone. As 40RH they'll probably be ready for the jar in half your 14 days
 
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HydoDan said:
Doing a partial harvest and letting the lowers grow is fine..
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The partial is going good for the Watermelon Candy and Runtz but the Blue Dream isn't showing any amber. BD advertised 8-10 week flower and it's at almost 10 weeks. I'll give it about 3 more days and do the first harvest on it.

Since I've been flushing for a week I'm thinking about giving the smaller nugs some nutes.

Could flushing prevent the BD from turning amber?
 
stawawager said:
The partial is going good for the Watermelon Candy and Runtz but the Blue Dream isn't showing any amber. BD advertised 8-10 week flower and it's at almost 10 weeks. I'll give it about 3 more days and do the first harvest on it.

Since I've been flushing for a week I'm thinking about giving the smaller nugs some nutes.

Could flushing prevent the BD from turning amber?
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Yes.. I feed until harvest.. Flushing is a myth!
Cannabis Flushing Study on Grow Nutrients I Rx Green
 
HydoDan said:
Yes.. I feed until harvest.. Flushing is a myth!
Cannabis Flushing Study on Grow Nutrients I Rx Green
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I saw some amber on the Blue Dream so I pulled the plug and drying outside of the grow room is stinking too much so everything has to go inside and the RH will be easier to control too.

Like from you, the best thought re flushing I've heard: the only thing it does is save money spent on nutes which shouldn't be any concern on small grows anyway. I liked not mixing the nutes.

Wow, what a journey. Thanks for all the help!
 
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