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For a marijuana grower, nothing is more exciting than harvesting the cannabis buds after weeks of waiting. However, after your plant has grown, you still have to go through another process to get the best out of your cannabis buds. Although full development of your cannabis buds seems like it is the completion of the culmination, it simply isn’t. You will need it to dry it first. Curing cannabis is another phase that is critical too.
Factors To Consider Before Curing Cannabis
Before curing cannabis, it is important that you are fully consistent and committed to this process since it can be tiring. You also have to consider the expenses if you are interested in investing in different types of equipment to help you out at this stage.
1. Environment Check
There are different methods and variations on how to cure cannabis but to choose the best method possible for your plants you need to check your environment first. See to it if the temperature is at the right scale, and the same goes for the humidity.
2. Time Investment
Curing cannabis is one thing, but the process to complete it is another which is why you must expect that curing cannabis can be a lengthy process and speeding it up would ruin the buds to be at its full potential.
3. Expenses
There are expenses in curing cannabis and these are spending your money on the seeds itself and the equipment that can help you in the process. This can be costly depending on the quality and brand of the appliances you are spending.
How to Dry and Cure Cannabis Buds
Drying Cannabis
Growers associate curing cannabis with drying since many think that it is the same. Cannabis curing is the process of normalizing the moisture throughout the entire bud bringing out the full terpene profile and getting the smells and flavors that we really enjoy out of our medical marijuana or adult-use cannabis. While drying cannabis is the process of removing excess water or moisture to prevent the buds from damage. There are plenty of methods to try but this also depends on your environment.
Step 1: Cutting
1.1) 12-16” Cut
This cut is the most popular way to cut your plants, and many growers find this method convenient as well. It requires cutting the branches at approximately 12 to 16 inches from the plants. Afterward, remove unwanted or excess leaves and then hang the branches in your dry room.
1.2) Cutting the Whole Plant
Several growers prefer to cut it as a whole for easier removal of the buds. This method also includes hanging the plant as a whole as well. So your wire, string, or hanger should be strong enough to hold the weight of the plants you hang.
1.3) Snapping Branches
Not only is this method easier and less time-consuming, but it also helps you determine that your plants are healthy. A good indication for this is that the branches must snap instead of bending.
Step 2: Regulate Your Room’s Environment
2.1) Temperature
It is critical for your plants to have temperatures within the range of 60-70 fahrenheit for it to survive and get the best results. This maintains the sustainability of your plants and prevents complications.
2.2) Humidity
Your plants require humidity as well but it must be balanced in order to stop it from turning into dust or get filled with mold. The humidity must be in between 45%-55%. A fan is also highly recommended to circulate the air but it must not also be too strong.
2.3) Darkness
Your plants work best stored in the dark instead of getting exposed to natural or artificial light. As long as there is air circulation in the room, that is plenty.
Curing Cannabis
Curing cannabis requires your buds to be completely dry for the stem snapping. This will help you remove the stems, and take the buds easier.
Afterward, place it in your jar or your cannabis container. You need to consider the temperature of where it is kept also. It is advised to keep it in an area that is less humid which is somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees. A dark space would also be great for curing cannabis as well so that the UV lights will not degrade the cannabinoid and the terpene profile.
Step 1: Separation
With whatever method you prefer, separate the cannabis buds from the branches. Afterward, place it in your jar or container which could be made out of ceramic, metal, wood, or any plastic material. Make sure to not cram the cannabis buds in your container as well.
Step 2: Place the Buds in a Container
Leave some space in your container or fill it up just by 80% for some air exchange at the top. There is not really much of a difference compared to filling the whole container up but it should not be crammed to not damage the buds. Remember, it is critical that there must not be too much moisture in the container.
Step 3: Regulate the Temperature
You need to consider the temperature of where it is kept also. It is advised to keep it in an area that is less humid which is somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees. The container must also have space for air.
Step 4: Humidity Check
50% humidity is perfect for hanging the plants as a whole or on branches. You do not want your crop to dry too quickly nor dry it too slow.
Step 5: Place the Container in a Dark Space
It is advised to keep it in an area that is less humid which is somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees. A dark space would also be great for curing cannabis as well so that the UV lights will not degrade the cannabinoid and the terpene profile.
Step 6: Balancing Air Flow
In the first couple of days, open the container twice a day for about 10 to 15 minutes to let the air exchange out with a new one. After that 10 to 15 minutes, simply close it again then keep it away. Once you have done this for a week, you can shift towards a slow pace by opening it only for once a day instead of twice a day then you can even go further as time passes like only once every couple of days, once a week, and once a month. Curing cannabis can indeed be a lengthy process but as long as there is no extra moisture within the container the faster it will be.
