Drying/Curing

Patrick Rue · 02-17-2005, 10:43 AM

AFOF is drying/curing some fresh by hanging it in his growbox about 1'-2' over his HPS.

Could the light/heat be working against him? or is sunlight the guy that you want to avoid while drying? I would imagine both.

**v3d4** · 02-17-2005, 11:16 AM

yes both. the light/heat will reduce potency and dry them too fast so the smoke will be harsh.
tell him slower is better. it would be terrible, after the effort put into growing, to rush things and end up with harsh schwaggy crumbly crunchy brown frown bud

Patrick Rue · 02-17-2005, 01:42 PM

I figured as much and I let him know. It took a little talking but I think he got the picture.

Worse yet is all the heat from the lamp rising, and the indirect lighting from the white paint.

phat pharmer · 02-17-2005, 04:22 PM

im a few days off harvest, i think im gonna need some more jars

hang them in a dark room with a constant air movement created by a fan but not blowing directly at them. Try to keep the room at a constant temp, a spare room in the house will do

It all depends on the amount, you could get away with putting the bud in a shoe box or two and turning it over a few times a day....
but heat and light are def NO NO

P

Peace seeker · 02-18-2005, 12:18 PM

nothing to add. ^^

enjoy the buds Geeno

quartz · 02-20-2005, 05:27 PM

Place fresh plants in black plastic trash bags and let lay in the sun for a day or two. Open once or twice a day to force fresh air in. (plus you will want to see how well things are progressing) That’s it. Once the color has changed from green to other, allow to slow dry indoors. Simple, quick, safe. There’s something magical about seeing a couple big bags lying out by the garage and knowing that no one is even curious what is in them.

BrAneFReesE · 02-20-2005, 07:01 PM

in a dark warm place, NOT HUMID, plz...not humid, will create mold. A closet might work if its dry enough. like the top of a closet.

phat pharmer · 02-21-2005, 07:04 AM

Different curing methods
Curing

Curing is a process employed to naturally enhance the bouquet, flavour, and texture of marijuana. Curing does not lower potency when done correctly, although poor curing methods often result in some less of THC.

Curing is not an essential procedure, and many growers prefer the "natural" flavour of uncured grass. Sweet sinsemilla buds usually are not cured.

Curing is most successful on plants which have "ripened" and are beginning to lose chlorophyll. It is less successful on growing tips and other vigorous parts which are immature. These parts may only lose some chlorophyll.

Curing proceeds while the leaf is still alive, for until it dries, many of the leaf's life processes continue. Since the leaf's ability to produce sugars is thwarted, it breaks down stored starch to simple sugars, which are used for food. This gives the grass a sweet or earthy aroma and taste. At the same time, many of the complex proteins and pigments, such as chlorophyll, are broken down in enzymatic processes. This changes the colour of the leaf from green to various shades of yellow, brown, tan, or red, depending primarily on the variety, but also on growing environment and cure technique. The destruction of chlorophyll eliminates the minty taste that is commonly associated with green homegrown.

There are several methods of curing, most of which were originally designed to cure large quantities of tobacco. Some of them can be modified by the home grower to use for small marijuana harvests as well as large harvests. The methods used to cure marijuana are the air, flue, sweat, sun, and water cures.

Air Curing

Air curing is a technique developed in the United States for curing pipe and cigar tobacco. It was originally done in specially constructed barns made with ventilator slats which could be sealed; a small shed or metal building can easily be adapted for this use. However, this method of curing works only when there is enough material to keep the air saturated with moisture.

Wires are strung across the barn, and the marijuana plants or plant parts are hung from them, using string, wire twists, or the crooks of branches. The plants material should be closely spaced, but there should be enough room between branches (a few inches) so that air circulates freely. The building is kept unventilated until all the material loses some chlorophyll (green colour). This loss occurs rapidly during warm sunny weather because heat builds up, which hastens the cure. In wet or overcast weather, the temperature in the chamber will be cooler, and the process will proceed more slowly. If these conditions last for more than a day or two, unwanted mould may grow on the plants. The best way to prevent mould from forming is to raise the temperature to 90F by using a heater.

After the leaves have lost their deep green and become pale, the ventilator or windows are opened slightly, so that the temperature and humidity are lowered and the curing process is slowed. The process then continues until all traces of chlorophyll are eliminated. The entire process may take six weeks. Then the ventilators are opened, and an exhaust fan installed if necessary, to dry the material to the point that it can be smoked but still is moist, that is, bends rather than crumbles or powders when rubbed between thumb and forefinger.

Flue Curing

Flue curing differs from air curing in that the process is speeded up by using an external source of heat, and the air circulation is more closely regulated. This method can be used with small quantities of material in a small, airtight curing box constructed for the purpose. Large quantities can be hung in a room or barn as described in Air Curing.

A simple way to control the temperature when curing or drying small amounts of marijuana is to place the material to be cured in a watertight box (or a bottle) with ventilation holes on the top. Place the box in a water-filled container, such as a pot, fish-tank, or bathtub. The curing box contains air and will float. The water surrounding the box is maintained at the correct temperature by means of a stove or hotplate, fish-tank or water-bed heater, or any inexpensive immersible heater. Temperature of the water is monitored.

With the marijuana loosely packed, maintain water temperature at 90 degrees. After several days, the green tissue turns a pale yellow-green or murky colour, indicating yellow or brown pigments. Then increase temperature, to about 100 degrees, until all traces of green disappear. Raise the temperature once again, this time to 115 degrees, until a full, ripe colour develops. Also increase ventilation at this time, so that the marijuana dries. Plants dried at high temperature tend to be brittle; so lower the temperature before drying is completed. This last phase of drying can be done at room temperature, out of the water bath. The whole process takes a week or less.

Marijuana cured by this technique turns a deep brown colour. Immature material may retain some chlorophyll and have a slight greenish cast. Taste is rich yet mild.

Sweat Curing

Sweat curing is the technique most widely used in Colombia. Long branches containing colas are layered in piles about 18 inches high and a minimum of two feet square, more often about ten by fifteen feet. Sweat curing actually incorporates the fermenting process. Within a few hours the leaves begin to heat up from the microbial action in the same way that a compost pile ferments. Then change in colour is very rapid; watch the pile carefully, so that it does not overheat and rot the colas. Each day unpack the piles, and remove the colas that have turned colour. Within four or five days, all the colas will have turned colour. They are then dried. One way to prevent rot while using this method is to place cotton sheets, rags, or paper towels between each double layer of colas. The towels absorb some of the moisture and slow down the process.

Sweat curing can be modified for use with as little marijuana as two large plants. Pack the marijuana tightly in a heavy paper sack (or several layers of paper bags), and place it in the sun. The light is converted to heat and helps support the sweat.

Another variation of the sweat process occurs when fresh undried marijuana is bricked. The bricks are placed in piles, and they cure while being transported.

A simple procedure for a slow sweat cure is to roll fresh marijuana in plastic bags. Each week, open the bag for about an hour to evaporate some water. In about six weeks, the ammonia smell will dissipate somewhat, and the grass should be dried. This cure works well with small quantities of mediocre grass, since it concentrates the material.

Sun Curing

A quick way to cure small quantities of marijuana os to loosely fill a plastic bag or glass jar, or place a layer between glass or plastic sheets, and expose the material to the sun. Within a few hours the sun begins to bleach it. Turn the marijuana every few hours, so that all parts are exposed to the sun. An even cure is achieved in one to two days {(see Plate 16)}. Some degradation of THC may occur using this method.

Water Cure

Unlike other curing methods, the water cure is performed after the marijuana is dried. Powder and small pieces are most often used, but the cure also works with whole colas. The material is piled loosely in a glass or ceramic pot which is filled with luke-warm water. (When hot water is used, some of the THC is released in oils, which escape and float to the top of the water.) Within a few hours many of the non-psychoactive water-soluble substances dissolve. An occasional gentle stirring speeds the process. The water is changed and the process repeated. Then the grass is dried again for smoking.

THC is not water-soluble; so it remains on the plant when it is soaked. By eliminating water-soluble substances (pigments, proteins, sugars, and some resins), which may make up 25 percent of the plant material by weight, this cure may increase the concentration of THC by up to a third.

Marijuana cured by this method has a dark, almost black colour, and looks twisted and curled, something like tea leaves. The water cure is frequently used to cure dried fan leaves and poor-quality grass.
____________________ ______
We are stardust, we are golden,
We are billion year old carbon,
And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of, Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
Texas Kid

Dandaweedman · 02-21-2005, 07:10 AM

Interesting alright.

Guess hanging is still the way to go.

Daniel

Patrick Rue · 02-21-2005, 08:34 AM

Very good read, that should go in the FAQ.

02-17-2005, 11:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
v3d4 sky mind daughter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terrapin Station Posts: 5,715 Thanks: 33 Thanked 186 Times in 109 Posts	yes both. the light/heat will reduce potency and dry them too fast so the smoke will be harsh. tell him slower is better. it would be terrible, after the effort put into growing, to rush things and end up with harsh schwaggy crumbly crunchy brown frown bud __________________ remember our Governor Ken Gorman

02-17-2005, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
phat pharmer Earache My Eye Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: two stops short of Dagenham Posts: 1,071 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	im a few days off harvest, i think im gonna need some more jars hang them in a dark room with a constant air movement created by a fan but not blowing directly at them. Try to keep the room at a constant temp, a spare room in the house will do It all depends on the amount, you could get away with putting the bud in a shoe box or two and turning it over a few times a day.... but heat and light are def NO NO P __________________ VOTE Phat

02-20-2005, 05:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
quartz YaHookan Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Simple cure Place fresh plants in black plastic trash bags and let lay in the sun for a day or two. Open once or twice a day to force fresh air in. (plus you will want to see how well things are progressing) That’s it. Once the color has changed from green to other, allow to slow dry indoors. Simple, quick, safe. There’s something magical about seeing a couple big bags lying out by the garage and knowing that no one is even curious what is in them. __________________ No citizen should be punished, if they have caused no harm or risk to another citizen’s rights to life, liberty or pursuit of happiness.

02-21-2005, 07:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
phat pharmer Earache My Eye Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: two stops short of Dagenham Posts: 1,071 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Different Curing Methods by Texas Kid Different curing methods Curing Curing is a process employed to naturally enhance the bouquet, flavour, and texture of marijuana. Curing does not lower potency when done correctly, although poor curing methods often result in some less of THC. Curing is not an essential procedure, and many growers prefer the "natural" flavour of uncured grass. Sweet sinsemilla buds usually are not cured. Curing is most successful on plants which have "ripened" and are beginning to lose chlorophyll. It is less successful on growing tips and other vigorous parts which are immature. These parts may only lose some chlorophyll. Curing proceeds while the leaf is still alive, for until it dries, many of the leaf's life processes continue. Since the leaf's ability to produce sugars is thwarted, it breaks down stored starch to simple sugars, which are used for food. This gives the grass a sweet or earthy aroma and taste. At the same time, many of the complex proteins and pigments, such as chlorophyll, are broken down in enzymatic processes. This changes the colour of the leaf from green to various shades of yellow, brown, tan, or red, depending primarily on the variety, but also on growing environment and cure technique. The destruction of chlorophyll eliminates the minty taste that is commonly associated with green homegrown. There are several methods of curing, most of which were originally designed to cure large quantities of tobacco. Some of them can be modified by the home grower to use for small marijuana harvests as well as large harvests. The methods used to cure marijuana are the air, flue, sweat, sun, and water cures. Air Curing Air curing is a technique developed in the United States for curing pipe and cigar tobacco. It was originally done in specially constructed barns made with ventilator slats which could be sealed; a small shed or metal building can easily be adapted for this use. However, this method of curing works only when there is enough material to keep the air saturated with moisture. Wires are strung across the barn, and the marijuana plants or plant parts are hung from them, using string, wire twists, or the crooks of branches. The plants material should be closely spaced, but there should be enough room between branches (a few inches) so that air circulates freely. The building is kept unventilated until all the material loses some chlorophyll (green colour). This loss occurs rapidly during warm sunny weather because heat builds up, which hastens the cure. In wet or overcast weather, the temperature in the chamber will be cooler, and the process will proceed more slowly. If these conditions last for more than a day or two, unwanted mould may grow on the plants. The best way to prevent mould from forming is to raise the temperature to 90F by using a heater. After the leaves have lost their deep green and become pale, the ventilator or windows are opened slightly, so that the temperature and humidity are lowered and the curing process is slowed. The process then continues until all traces of chlorophyll are eliminated. The entire process may take six weeks. Then the ventilators are opened, and an exhaust fan installed if necessary, to dry the material to the point that it can be smoked but still is moist, that is, bends rather than crumbles or powders when rubbed between thumb and forefinger. Flue Curing Flue curing differs from air curing in that the process is speeded up by using an external source of heat, and the air circulation is more closely regulated. This method can be used with small quantities of material in a small, airtight curing box constructed for the purpose. Large quantities can be hung in a room or barn as described in Air Curing. A simple way to control the temperature when curing or drying small amounts of marijuana is to place the material to be cured in a watertight box (or a bottle) with ventilation holes on the top. Place the box in a water-filled container, such as a pot, fish-tank, or bathtub. The curing box contains air and will float. The water surrounding the box is maintained at the correct temperature by means of a stove or hotplate, fish-tank or water-bed heater, or any inexpensive immersible heater. Temperature of the water is monitored. With the marijuana loosely packed, maintain water temperature at 90 degrees. After several days, the green tissue turns a pale yellow-green or murky colour, indicating yellow or brown pigments. Then increase temperature, to about 100 degrees, until all traces of green disappear. Raise the temperature once again, this time to 115 degrees, until a full, ripe colour develops. Also increase ventilation at this time, so that the marijuana dries. Plants dried at high temperature tend to be brittle; so lower the temperature before drying is completed. This last phase of drying can be done at room temperature, out of the water bath. The whole process takes a week or less. Marijuana cured by this technique turns a deep brown colour. Immature material may retain some chlorophyll and have a slight greenish cast. Taste is rich yet mild. Sweat Curing Sweat curing is the technique most widely used in Colombia. Long branches containing colas are layered in piles about 18 inches high and a minimum of two feet square, more often about ten by fifteen feet. Sweat curing actually incorporates the fermenting process. Within a few hours the leaves begin to heat up from the microbial action in the same way that a compost pile ferments. Then change in colour is very rapid; watch the pile carefully, so that it does not overheat and rot the colas. Each day unpack the piles, and remove the colas that have turned colour. Within four or five days, all the colas will have turned colour. They are then dried. One way to prevent rot while using this method is to place cotton sheets, rags, or paper towels between each double layer of colas. The towels absorb some of the moisture and slow down the process. Sweat curing can be modified for use with as little marijuana as two large plants. Pack the marijuana tightly in a heavy paper sack (or several layers of paper bags), and place it in the sun. The light is converted to heat and helps support the sweat. Another variation of the sweat process occurs when fresh undried marijuana is bricked. The bricks are placed in piles, and they cure while being transported. A simple procedure for a slow sweat cure is to roll fresh marijuana in plastic bags. Each week, open the bag for about an hour to evaporate some water. In about six weeks, the ammonia smell will dissipate somewhat, and the grass should be dried. This cure works well with small quantities of mediocre grass, since it concentrates the material. Sun Curing A quick way to cure small quantities of marijuana os to loosely fill a plastic bag or glass jar, or place a layer between glass or plastic sheets, and expose the material to the sun. Within a few hours the sun begins to bleach it. Turn the marijuana every few hours, so that all parts are exposed to the sun. An even cure is achieved in one to two days {(see Plate 16)}. Some degradation of THC may occur using this method. Water Cure Unlike other curing methods, the water cure is performed after the marijuana is dried. Powder and small pieces are most often used, but the cure also works with whole colas. The material is piled loosely in a glass or ceramic pot which is filled with luke-warm water. (When hot water is used, some of the THC is released in oils, which escape and float to the top of the water.) Within a few hours many of the non-psychoactive water-soluble substances dissolve. An occasional gentle stirring speeds the process. The water is changed and the process repeated. Then the grass is dried again for smoking. THC is not water-soluble; so it remains on the plant when it is soaked. By eliminating water-soluble substances (pigments, proteins, sugars, and some resins), which may make up 25 percent of the plant material by weight, this cure may increase the concentration of THC by up to a third. Marijuana cured by this method has a dark, almost black colour, and looks twisted and curled, something like tea leaves. The water cure is frequently used to cure dried fan leaves and poor-quality grass. ____________________ ______ We are stardust, we are golden, We are billion year old carbon, And we got to get ourselves back to the garden. Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of, Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams. Texas Kid __________________ VOTE Phat

02-21-2005, 07:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dandaweedman Herbologist Join Date: May 2004 Location: In the minds of others Posts: 5,121 Thanks: 6 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	Good read Interesting alright. Guess hanging is still the way to go. Daniel __________________ Life is a temporary way to spend eternity.

02-18-2005, 12:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Peace seeker YaHookan Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 6,131 Thanks: 155 Thanked 86 Times in 66 Posts	nothing to add. ^^ enjoy the buds Geeno

02-20-2005, 07:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
BrAneFReesE Smooth Criminal Join Date: May 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,337 Thanks: 11 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	in a dark warm place, NOT HUMID, plz...not humid, will create mold. A closet might work if its dry enough. like the top of a closet.

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