Drying/Curing in the SW desert (attn Rusty!)

Ok so, I figure Rusty Trichome is probably a good source for this, but please, anyone else feel free to chip in.

I live in a very very very dry portion of the SW. Every time I harvest, I followed what were very basic instructions: cut, clean up, hang upside down in cool dark place until stems snap instead of bend, then finish manicure and clip into airtight jars (I use a bread-vac, but my issue has also happened with mason jars), open up once a day and mix up contents until completely dry. This usually takes less than a week because there is literally no air moisture here.

Now, somewhere in this phase, on multiple occasions, I've lost ALL flavor and aroma, even upon slightly remoistening with some fruit peels, and the smoke is harsh even though its been properly flushed pre harvest. I've used peels while curing to slow the process down to a couple of weeks, and I've used them after its completely dry to my stuff doesn't crumble into fine dust the second I touch it.

Why is this happening? I'm not putting anything in there to absorb moisture.

The only strain I've ever dealt with until recently was Romulan, but I don't think its the strain because the guys I got the clones from produce some spectacular shit. I could ask them, but I try and keep my distance for obvious reasons.

Any ideas?

Your letting it get to dry.

Well, suggestions on slowing the process without it getting nasty? I would just use peels, but sometimes I don't like how much of the aroma gets picked up by the bud.

With such a low RH you'll have to spend more time checking on the progress of your dry and cure to make sure things aren't too wet (mold) or too dry (harsh, no taste). I found quite a nice technique on another site and posted it here: http://boards.cannabis.com/advanced-...very-time.html According to this, re-wetting won't help. I've used paper bags instead of hanging to slow down my dry as I live in a place with low humidity also. I think I got the idea from Rusty :jointsmile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M1K3

Your letting it get to dry.

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I agree.

For starters, commercial growers used to harvest and hang their crop in a tobacco drying (curing) barn to get a slow, even dry before packaging into bales. Somehow the myth got started that the cannabis plants hanging upside-down was to push sap (resins) to the growing tips, (buds) thus increasing the potency. This is hogwash, and is an unnecessary step.

What I've been doing for years:
Once I harvest, I break her down. I remove all fans, immature buds, stems, and do a quick manicure to shave leaftips off. I don't save clippings, so all the scrap get's tossed.

I lay-out the buds on a cookie sheet in a single layer.

From here, I can go two ways...and the direction I take is inventory-specific.

Slow-dry:
If I have enough inventory left from the last harvest, and humidity levels are down, I'll let the buds sit out and dry over time, (two or three days or so depending on relative humidity) turning the buds over a couple times a day for an even drying. I don't use fans for this process, but I do physically 'blow' away moisture a few times a day. If in a monsoon season (humid) I'll place the broke-down plant into a brown, unwaxed grocery sack to help draw-out the moisture instead of placing them on the cookie sheet. I fold-over the top of the sack along it's prefold. This makes an equilateral triangle (tent) shape. Just like Mason jars, you have to open the bag a couple times a day, and 'shake-up' the contents to release moisture and gasses and re-distribute the buds for an even drying.

Quick dry:
First-off, try this with a smaller portion. That way if you screw it up, it's not the end of the world.
If I'm running low on meds, I'll break-down the plant as before, and lay them on the cookie sheet. I have a Dehydrate setting on my toaster oven, and will use that. The Dehydrate setting is a fan-forced drying technique, and I'll put them in for 10-15 minute intervals. The length of dry time depends on bud size and personal experience. I usually go for a first-round of 15 minutes, then a second 10 minute round. (Fluff the buds between rounds)
I then remove from the oven, and let sit uncovered overnight. By the next morning or afternoon, the meds are ready for the Mason jar or similar.
Continue steps below...

When the outside of the largest cola is starting to get pretty crispy (stems should still bend, but they should do so reluctantly) I pack them into Mason jars. Largest buds go in first, gently packing smaller buds in to fill the voids. I don't pack too tightly, but I do try and fill the voids in the jar.
From there, I open and remove the buds (cookie sheet or pie tin) for about 15 minutes to half an hour, a couple times a day. The meds should darken-up a tads as the curing process kicks-in. Stick with it, and don't let the moist buds sit for more than a day without "burping" the jar and removing the buds. This helps release the stale air that also contains excess ethylene gas, which if left in the sealed jar, promotes rot. Some ethylene is necessary to promote 'ripening' of the fruit (the buds) A week and a half or two weeks, and the buds will start to 'lighten' up in color, and the odor you're looking for should be intensifying.

Re-hydrating the overdried buds does not help if an improper cure has been done. If during this process you overdry them, rehydrate with a couple of fan leaves or similar, and continue the cure. Otherwise your meds will taste like you're smoking Kobe Bryants athletic socks.

Personal opinion...A quick dry does not diminish quality or flavors if properly done, but don't burn your meds. Don't go over 170 degrees f. or you will melt (not burn) the trichomes. Some of the trichome goop will end-up on the cookie sheet. Use a fresh razor blade, but don't scrape off the Teflon from the cookie sheet.

If I forgot anything let me know. It's way past coffee time, and this post seems never-ending. :thumbsup:

T3, I am also in a low RH environâ?¦..if I wait until the stem snaps the bud is way too dryâ?¦.try taking some a little earlier and see what you get.

Following traditional wisdom is goodâ?¦.until it simply doesnâ??t work for you.

Good luck,
HMR