After trimming the cannabis plants (manicuring), the drying process begins. Drying and curing are among the most important steps in obtaining high-quality cannabis.
Manicuring marijuana buds
This process involves trimming the leaves of the plants, leaving only the small, resinous leaves surrounding the buds.
It should be done immediately after harvesting, although some prefer to trim the buds while they are still alive, specially in their final days. This reduces the workload on harvest day. Manicuring can also be done at the end of the drying process but doing it when the plants are already dry results in significant bud loss and a less aesthetically pleasing appearance. Therefore, I recommend doing it after the plants have been cut.
If you live in a city with a hot weather I recommend manicuring the buds once the plants have dried; keeping the leaves until the end of the drying process so this prevent excessive shrinkage due to the heat. However, if you are harvesting in winter or in a cooler weather, manicure the buds after the plants have been cut.
Drying marijuana plants
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the plant of leaves; find a dry, cool and dark place with some ventilation to hang the manicured branches on lines or clotheslines, or use a circular wire drying rack. This process should take between two and three weeks, depending on the local climate. The slower the process, the better the drying will be, preserving the aromas and flavors of the plants.
Leaving the stems on the branches will extend the drying process by a few days, while removing the stems from the buds and drying them without any branches will save some time.
A good option for drying is to use grow tents, taking advantage of the air exchange and filtration system. This way, the plants dry under controlled conditions, and their odor is eliminated by the carbon filter and the air extraction system. Keep in mind that the smells can be much more intense during the drying process
The temperature in the drying room should ideally be kept relatively cool, around 20°C at most. A higher temperature will accelerate the drying process, resulting in lower quality drying and potentially causing the evaporation of the most volatile terpenes.
Regarding humidity, it should ideally be kept around 50%. If it is lower, the terpenes will dry too quickly, while if it is higher, the drying process can take several weeks longer than necessary. If using dehumidifiers, keep in mind that these usually release heat, which will cause the temperature in the drying room to rise.
Curing marijuana
When the herb is sufficiently crisp (you can check this by trying to bend a stem; if it snaps cleanly, it’s ready, while if it bends without breaking, it’s still too green), the curing process will give the flower a firmer texture and refine its aroma.
To begin this process, you must use airtight glass jars (any other non-glass containers will not work). Think of this process as a very slow drying process. If the container is completely airtight, you’ll need to open it daily for a few minutes. You can use dome bags inside the jars, which will help maintain perfect humidity, and you can extend the curing process for as long as you like. The longer the flowers cure, the better they will be.
The jars should be opened daily to prevent mold growth.
