Best way to cure when away from bud?

I'm going to be out of the country in december for 8 days. I was going to harvest 9 days before the trip and air dry for 36 hours, then put in jars and open every 8 hours for the next 3 days and then every 12 hours for the rest.

Optimally, i would like to harvest a couple days before the trip, meaning i could have another week of veg growth. Is there a way to cure the bud while being away? If not, will the buds be dry enough with my previously described method to be left alone for 8 days without developing mold??

Just cut them before you go and hang them. Cure them when you get back.

Yeah I agree, you should cut them right before you leave and let them dry. By the time you come back they should be justperfect to be put in jars.

air dry for 8 days? i was under the impression that up to 3 days air dry was good, otherwise the outer bud would dry out to fast.

??

no some people air dry for up to a couple weeks... it depends on your climate and stuff too.
even if the exterior layer of bud gets a bit dry, it doesnst really matter because once you put it in the jars, the moisture will even out.
If its still too dry after you cure, you can add a fresh leaf or orange peel in there just to add a bit of moisture.
good luck =)

edit: btw airdrying for 3 days isnt nearly enough in my opinion - I always airdry for at least 6-7 days.

keyword: WHOLE PLANT

Hang the whole thing and flush 2 days before harvest. should work just fine

db:smokin:

thanks guys. i can get an extra week on veg, don't know how much more it will increase my yield, but its definatley something.

sorry for the huge bump, but harvest is in the next couple days and i wanted to make sure i have everything right.

so i'm hanging the whole plant, i have the option of hanging it in an bedroom or a closet. is any one better for air drying for 10 days?

also, i've been told of a technique of hanging individual buds, at different heights, in a large, closed cardboard box for the 10 days. anyone have experience with this?

i would rather my bds get too dry then moldy. thanks for the help.

When I cure......I trim as many leaves as possible before downing the plant....then I hang the entire plant (cut of at the base) in a dark area 65-70*F until the plants feels dry....usually about a week.

I then get a 33 gallon trash bag and enclose the entire plant inside the bag and tie the top off...I leave the plant hanking up inside the bag for 2 days...it draws the moisture from the stems/stock back into the buds allowing for a slow cure.

After the 2 days I remove the trash bag and let the plant dry until the buds are nice and dry 2-3 days....

Total process about 2 weeks.....then its bagged and in the freezer