A Complete Guide to Drying and Curing Buds
Drying and curing buds of marijuana play an important role because it gives the perfect aroma, taste, and potency to the buds. Not only that, but it also increases the shelf life and protects from micro-organisms.
All growers need to dry and cure buds after harvesting. If you are a beginner, you are in the right place. We will guide you on how to dry and cure buds and tell you the step-by-step procedure to do that.
Why Drying and Curing Buds?
After harvesting, beginners think they are ready to use the buds, and everything is perfect. However, there is still a major part left that should be done in order to keep buds safe and make them according to the expectations.
Drying and curing buds are necessary, and these are done just after the harvest. There are various reasons that make it necessary to dry and cure buds as early as possible.
Drying and curing buds are two procedures, and we will see why they are needed.
The first and most important reason for drying and curing buds is to improve their flavor, aroma, and potency.
After drying buds, the weight is reduced, and the dry buds weigh only 25% of the raw weight. Then, the buds are ready to be cured, and curing improves the flavor of the marijuana, and you can smell a better aroma.
The potency of the buds is of the utmost importance because this is what makes them useful. Wet buds have almost no potency, so they must be dried and cured to improve the potency.
You might be thinking about how potency is improved after curing the buds. Well, there is a scientific reason behind it. When the bud is new and wet, the elements in marijuana are too large to fit in the human CB1 receptors.
Therefore, there is almost no psychoactive effect on humans when a raw bud is consumed.
When we cure the bud, those elements in marijuana become small and suitable to be absorbed by CB1 receptors. There are over one hundred elements and molecules in marijuana, and they change after curing. Thus, cured buds are more potent than wet buds.
Therefore, buds are dried and cured just after harvesting to improve their potency and make them better. Another important reason for drying and curing buds is protecting them from mold and bacteria. Wet buds are prone to these micro-organisms, so they must be protected through drying.
Curing is also essential to increase the shelf life of buds. In curing, the buds are stored in jars or bags. These protect buds from the interaction with elements and organisms in the air.
Consequently, the shelf life of the marijuana is increased, and the buds can be stored for two years. In addition, there is no change in aroma, taste, and potency.
How to Dry Buds?
After the harvesting of marijuana, the first thing that a grower should do is dry the buds. It is better to be ready for the drying phase and buy everything needed. Buds should be left to dry as soon as possible.
Drying and curing buds are two separate processes. First, drying is done, and then curing is required. We will have a look at drying, and then we will discuss the curing of buds.
Before taking out the bud or plant from the pots, it is necessary to ensure the buds are ready to be harvested.
If you think your buds are not ready, you can give them more time. The best way to get optimal growth in marijuana, ensure high nutrients, and speed up the process is using LED grow lights.
Why LED Grow Lights are Good for Buds
LED grow lights are preferred for indoor grow rooms. These mimic the sunlight and ensure optimal growth and excellent yield.
The most important thing about LED grow lights is that they do not produce heat that can harm buds. Moreover, you have complete control, so you can control the brightness and spectrum.
For instance, Spectrum X allows you to control the brightness and spectrum. You can adjust everything according to the growth stage of marijuana. Before harvesting, you can set the optimal conditions and do all preparations for drying and curing buds.
Equipment and Tools Needed to Dry Buds
Drying is pretty simple, and it does not need any expensive equipment and tools. You need a few things only, and people usually have these things in their homes.
You need the following equipment and tools.
- Drying line or rack:
You need to hang the buds and let them dry. For that, you need a drying line. It can be a simple string that you use to dry your clothes. You can also use cloth hangers.
If you prefer drying buds off stem or drying buds without hanging, a drying rack is a better option. In case of high humidity, drying racks are preferred. Otherwise, there will be powdery mildew on drying buds.
If you have a large space, strings are enough, but for small spaces, you need drying racks.
2. Hygrometer:
This is an essential tool because it will tell you the temperature and humidity of the area. It will help you maintain optimal environmental conditions.
3. Fan:
Fan is also necessary to reduce the humidity in the area. You can use pedestal fans or any fan of your choice.
4. Dehumidifier/Air Conditioner (optional):
To maintain humidity and temperature, you might need a humidifier or air conditioner, or both.
Note: The ventilation system of your grow room/the area where you are hanging the buds must be up to the mark. It should also have carbon filters to eliminate the smell from the exhausted air.
Detailed Process of Drying Buds
Step 1: Cut the Branches
First, you need to cut off the branches from the marijuana plant. It is better to cut 12–14 inches branches.
Step 2: Trim the Leaves
Once you have cut the branches, you are ready for drying. Marijuana is also trimmed, and there are two ways to do that.
One is called Wet Trimming, in which a plant is trimmed before drying.
Consequently, you have a smaller plant that takes less time to dry. In this case, racks are preferred because you have a smaller plant.
The second one is Dry Trimming, in which the plant is trimmed after drying.
It is better to trim the leaves around the buds. If you live in a humid area, then it is better to trim all the leaves. It will prevent mold and help in drying the buds quickly. If you live in a dry area, then you can only cut the large fan leaves and avoid cutting other leaves.
Step 2: Dry the Buds
For drying, optimal environmental conditions are necessary. For marijuana, the humidity should be 45–55%, and the temperature should be 60–70 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the temperature is high, you can use an air conditioner, and if the humidity is high, you can use a dehumidifier. In the case of normal humidity, you can use fans.
It is necessary to maintain the temperature. Use a hygrometer to monitor the temperature and humidity.
Now, hang the branches on the string. You can also use cloth hangers. If you are using drying racks, place the buds in them.
Step 3: Check the Buds
Marijuana buds take 7–12days to dry. Let them dry for 3–4 days, and then check their condition through the snap test.
Check the buds each day and apply a little pressure on them. If the bud snaps off quickly after applying minimal pressure, then it is completely dry, and you can proceed to curing. If the bud does not snap and bend by applying pressure, it is not dried completely and needs more days.
If you are using a rack to dry buds, then you can snap the stems. If the stem snaps off by applying a little pressure, it is completely dried.
There can be spider mites on drying buds, so you also need to check for them. Check the buds, and if there are buds with spider mites, you need to get rid of the mites, and there are various ways to do that.
There are also chances of having caterpillars on drying buds. In simple words, you need to inspect the buds to make sure there are no pests.
We are done with the first process of drying and curing buds. Now, it is time to go for the second one.
How to Cure Buds?
After drying the buds, it is time to cure them. If you prefer dry trimming, then trim the leaves around the bud after drying.
Curing of marijuana is a simple process of keeping buds in a container or bag. In drying, the moisture on the surface of the buds is dried out, but the inner moisture is still left. Curing helps in removing the moisture in the inner layers.
Curing is a long process in which the chemical reaction is controlled. It prevents the buds from decaying. It also improves the aroma, flavor, and potency of buds.
Equipment and Tools Needed to Cure Buds
Curing is simple; the only thing you need is mason jars. These jars are ideal for keeping your buds; however, some people prefer curing buds without jars. There are also plastic bags and other types of containers available.
The second thing that might be needed is Humidipaks. It is optional because it helps in increasing the humidity when it is too low. However, if you have done everything with perfection, you might not need it.
For beginners, humidipaks are excellent as they are not experienced enough. They can keep buds at the right humidity levels using these small packets.
It is recommended to buy the equipment and tools for drying and curing buds when your plants are near to harvesting. It will save you time and ensure drying the buds quickly after harvest.
The Detailed Process of Curing Buds
Step 1: Fill the Jars
Fill the buds in a jar and make sure you fill only 75% of it. You need to leave some space for air. Mostly, it is preferred to dry buds without stems, but some growers also like curing buds on the stem.
After filling the jar, you need to store the container in a dark place.
Step 2: Check Regularly
For the first two weeks, you need to check the jars regularly. You need to ensure there is no mold or signs of bacteria. You can use a hygrometer to monitor the temperature and humidity. The temperature inside the jar should be 70 degrees as it is the ideal temperature, while the ideal humidity is 60–65%.
If the humidity is too low (below 55%), you can use Boveda 62% humidipaks as they maintain the humidity level to 62%.
After checking, you can place the buds and containers back to the place.
Step 3: Check Every Week
Check the jars every week to prevent mold and bacteria. The buds will improve their taste, aroma, and potency within six months. However, you can keep them for up to two years. After six months, you are ready to take buds to the market.
We have discussed the complete steps of drying and curing buds, and now you are ready to get the perfect aroma, taste, and potency.
Frequently Asked Questions on Drying and Curing Buds
How long to dry bud after harvest?
Once you hang the buds for drying, they take 7–12 days to dry out. It depends on the environmental conditions of the area and trimming. However, you need to do a snap test to make sure the buds are completely dry.
Can we dry buds without hanging?
If you want to dry buds without hanging, you can keep them in racks. It helps in drying the buds quickly.
How to tell when your flower is done drying?
You can do a snap test. Apply a little pressure on the bud, and if it snaps, it means it is dried out. If it bends, it means there is still moisture left.
How dark does the drying room need to be?
There should be no sunlight in the drying room. Make sure to keep the room dark and close any entrance of sunlight.
What is the best temperature and humidity for drying buds?
The best temperature for drying marijuana is 60–70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is 45–55%.
What if my bud is too dry?
If your buds are too dry, you can use Boveda 62% humidity packets. These increase the humidity level and make it 62%.
Can I dry my buds outside?
It is not recommended to dry buds outside because you cannot control the environmental conditions.
If the temperature is too high, the buds will dry out quickly. In the case of high humidity, there will be mold on the buds. Thus, it is better to dry indoors. Moreover, sunlight degrades the elements present in marijuana.
How long does the curing process take?
The curing process takes at most six months. However, it could be eight weeks as well in some types of buds.
Marijuana improves for six months, and after that, there is almost no change.
How long does the hay smell last?
The hay smell lasts until the harvest is not completely dry. It can take at most three weeks or at least ten days.
Does curing bring back smell?
Curing improves the smell of the buds. The elements that produce aroma are volatile, and they evaporate because of high temperatures. However, curing helps in preserving these elements.
How do you quickly dry a sample bud?
Naturally, buds take 7–12 days to dry. If you want to get it done early, you can trim the leaves and dry the buds in racks. This is a natural process. There are other ways to do that, including drying in an oven, drying buds in paper bag, or leaving them in sunlight.
