am i an idiot?

[GrowinGreen23]

Hey guys i'm pretty close within a month or 2 from the end of my first grow. I was reading around and heard people talking about curing and the drying processes, what is the difference between them? and what do you do in those times i mena i know when you dry them you want a well air circulated area but what about curing do i move them?

GG23

[The Grim Reefer]

Drying is basically just as the name implies. During this phase you're trying to get about 70-80% of the moisture out of the buds. Depending on the size of your crop and how you dry it, this process can take anywhere from 2 days to a week.

You don't want a fan blowing directly on your buds as this causes uneven drying, just enough to circulate the air in the room so you can prevent mold. Some people like to add space heaters, but in my opinion I think that quick drying or speeding up the process traps chlorophyll and pigments causing an uneven burn and a nasty "green" taste.

When are your buds ready to be cured?
Try to break the stem -
If it bends, they aren't ready quite yet.
If it breaks, get ready for the cure!

(Depending on how solid your buds are will vary the drying time)

Also, be sure to keep your buds in a dark place while they're drying/curing and in general as THC degrades when exposed to light.

The reason you cure is to get rid of the excess chlorophyll in the buds by "sweating" it out, as well as making more of the THC in the bud psychoactive.
See, when your buds are moist - all of the THC is in it's acidic form which won't get you high. The reason we dry and cure is for an even burn and to increase potency/taste.

To cure, you simply place your nuggets into a mason type jar. (a glass jar with an air tight lid, I wouldn't use plastic because I think it gives the buds a plastic-y taste/smell) DO NOT pack them. You want as much airflow as possible between them to prevent mold.

You don't want your buds too dry or the curing process won't take place. If they get too dry for some reason, just add a fresh leaf or a few fresh buds to the jar and they'll pull the moisture out.

-Check on your jar in 2-4 hours to see if there is any moisture build-up. If there is, open the lid for 5-10 minutes and store them back up.
-Check on them everyday for any moisture buildup, and if there is - go ahead and open the lid for 5-10 min. If there isn't, I would still at least open the jar every 3-5 days to let the excess gases escape.

You can cure for anywhere from 10-90 days and the potency and flavor WILL increase.

Here are some links :D

http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=60954
http://www.norml.org.nz/article462.html

[jakenthegentiles]

i thank you so much for taking the time to type that man

[LIP]

Curing is just the process of slow drying and it lets many chemicals like chlorophyl break down so when it smokes it does have a greeny flavour.

It also helps turn the THC completely phycoactive, because as it's wet on the plant its not as potent.

[The Grim Reefer]

Curing is just the process of slow drying and it lets many chemicals like chlorophyl break down so when it smokes it does have a greeny flavour.

It also helps turn the THC completely phycoactive, because as it's wet on the plant its not as potent.

Thanks for clarifying that lip, my posts get a bit wordy as my brain moves at breakneck speeds when I'm stoned.. it's even worse when I'm not.

[LIP]

Yeah but thats what makes you perfect. THe info you give is so detailed no one can go wrong, and thats whats great.

Your info is always good, and i know i've deffinantly used some.

[bob bobbinson]

most deff. U beat me to it Lip. I was going to compliment reefer on this post hehe. but now that u beat me to it, I wont compliment him. infact... this is a crap post. delete this thread admin LOL

-Saving web page complete- thx

[GrowinGreen23]

thanks a lot for the help guys great info as usual

GG23

[postmandave]

nice peice of work grim.the postman.

[The Grim Reefer]

I appreciate the compliments as I always downplay everything I do and it's nice to know the help is being used even in the least.

Each of you had better join the christmas grow.. or else.