Quote Originally Posted by eastbaygordo
My problem is attractiveness. Most weed I buy looks pretty and is a nice color appropriate for the strain. Mine is getting dark and weird looking, even the stuff that isn't damaged.
If it's turning dark during cure, might still be a tad too moist, or perhaps it's the nitrogen still present...? When you put it in the jar, was it still moist to the touch?

Quote Originally Posted by eastbaygordo
If I do run into a botrytis mold issue and/or I already have it (my valley is a huge wine region) does the milk spray solution make the weed taste or smell like sour milk? If so then its just as ruined as if it molded over.
Doesn't sound very tasty, but have never used it. I live in the desert, where humidity is high enough for mold maybe 8 or 10 days a year. But I use more fan action if humidity problems persist, and delay watering or I'll water with lesser ammounts till ambient humidity is kinder.

Quote Originally Posted by eastbaygordo
Any tips on this for a first timer? Note I had a botrytis issue that forced me to harvest early and I have a lot of discolored/brown leaves that won't pull off easily so they touch good bud as it folds over eventually
Arguably, drying to the point of curing isn't as important as the cure itself. If you have mold issues already, might want to speed-up the drying process a tad.

Keeping in mind I only grow for myself, (but I am hard to please) I personally haven't slow-dried (hanging upside down, drying intact branches) in years. Immediately after harvest, I disassemble the buds down to about 2" cube size buds, let sit out on a cookie sheet to dry, (flipping them daily, light fan if necessary for humidity) then into the cure jar. With some indica doms, I quick-dry. 150 degrees f. and keep an eye on 'em...30 to 60 minutes depending if on dehydrate setting or just the warm setting. Check every 10 minutes till you have it timed right, and smoke the results. My sativa doms taste like crap if I quick dry though. Even after curing.