Quick question about harvest

[Man1fesT]

Well the day I've been waiting for for 5 months has finally come, tomorrow I am set to harvest my first grow ever. I have a box set up already with strings for the plants to hang on and I'm just curious if I should have a fan blowing on them while they dry? I've been watching grow videos and some say to keep them in a "dark, draft free area" and others say in "dark, well ventilated area".

Probably a pretty dumb question but its one of the only things I'm unclear about for harvesting, just wanna make sure I don't fuck it all up after all this waiting :rasta:

Thanks guys

Man1fesT Reviewed by Man1fesT on 03-08-2009. Quick question about harvest Well the day I've been waiting for for 5 months has finally come, tomorrow I am set to harvest my first grow ever. I have a box set up already with strings for the plants to hang on and I'm just curious if I should have a fan blowing on them while they dry? I've been watching grow videos and some say to keep them in a "dark, draft free area" and others say in "dark, well ventilated area". Probably a pretty dumb question but its one of the only things I'm unclear about for harvesting, Rating: 5

[Italiano715]

Well the day I've been waiting for for 5 months has finally come, tomorrow I am set to harvest my first grow ever. I have a box set up already with strings for the plants to hang on and I'm just curious if I should have a fan blowing on them while they dry? I've been watching grow videos and some say to keep them in a "dark, draft free area" and others say in "dark, well ventilated area".

Probably a pretty dumb question but its one of the only things I'm unclear about for harvesting, just wanna make sure I don't fuck it all up after all this waiting :rasta:

Thanks guys

As far as I know, you supposed to have ventilation in the room from a fan but don't let the air blow directly on the drying buds otherwise you will dry them too quickly on the outside. Also possible taste deficiency. The keywords in the drying process are slowly and patience. They help to remember these 2 things! I'm not an expert as I'm just harvesting my first grow. These are just things I've picked up while researching around these forums!

[Rusty Trichome]

You'll want ventilation to prevent mold.

If they are drying too quickly, you can place them in a brown unwaxed grocery sack, (the paper absorbs moisture slowly) and open it a couple of times a day to 'stir' and ventilate. Watch for excessive moisture retention, which is easily remedied by opening the bag for a few extra minutes a day.
Has never been a problem for me...but I live in the desert. Likely not a great idea in high-humidity locations.

From there, the curing process will take care of flavor and aroma. :thumbsup:

[everTree]

Quick process: use lamp, and rotate.

[Italiano715]

Quick process: use lamp, and rotate.

I wouldn't recommend quick drying your bud underneath a light as you will not run the nutes and chlorophyll out of the bud.....Also it will be harsh and taste like crap! Go with the traditional method of hanging for at least a week then curing in jars!

[Rusty Trichome]

Actually, with some indica's, a simple dry is all you need. Some strains, in my personal experience, can even taste better un-cured.

And sometimes...your needs far outweigh your wants.

Being as I'm not the most organized grower, I occationally cut it close with my meds, and have to quick-dry. I break-down the indica into popcorn-bud size chunks and lay 'em out a cookie sheet, and set my oven to 150 f. Temp is important, as trichomes melt/outgas/burn-off at around 170 degrees f. Use an oven thermometer, if you chose to try this, and don't let temps stray too high.
I set oven timer at 1/2 hour increments. When timer goes off, I open oven to allow moisture to escape, and check progress. (then close it back up to continue) Depending on the size of the plant, it usually it takes around 2 hours of this, depending on how dry you want the buds.
At this point, I'll either place half in a glass jar for curing, (yes, after 2 hours in the oven, there's still enough moisture in the buds for proper cure) or not...depending on the strain, and my needs. Smoking good bud by 3 hours after harvest, or so.

I've tried this with my microwave and my toaster oven. Drying in the microvave destroys the trichomes right off the bat, and in my opinion, is like having someone vape a bud, before putting it in a regular pipe, and offering you some. (gee, thanks...)
With my crappy toaster oven temps stray too much, and have had real crappy results. Problems like burned buds, and a somewhat nasty straw taste were common. (due to melted trichomes)

Not sure why these quick-dry techniques don't work for any of my sativa strains, especially since they get less nitrogen/other nutes than the indica's during flower. Sure is inconvienent not knowing everything about everything, lol. Oh well...

[Dutch Pimp]

If you do use microwave?...put it on defrost...for 15 seconds. ..and repeat over and over...until suitable.

first time I tried the microwave...I set the resin on fire.....:i feel stupid:....:rastabanna: