I like the idea for bigger grows. Let it dry in open air for maybe a couple of days first, then go to opt1c's method in an enclosed space. I'd aim for 60-65% RH.
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A perfect cure every time
- Thread starter simon
- Start date
I like the idea for bigger grows. Let it dry in open air for maybe a couple of days first, then go to opt1c's method in an enclosed space. I'd aim for 60-65% RH.
Borderliner
Active member
Followed this method with my first grow and it sure makes a difference thanks!
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When it arrives at that point, I quit fussing with it, toss a 62% boveda pack on top & put it in a cool dark crawlspace to cure.
Anything in the 60-65% range works fine, ime.
I've used the Bovedas but it seems once I get the RH to that level and put the 62% Bovedas in, it's still too damp, as sometimes a lot of the smell that was there goes away in a couple of days or it smells somewhat funky. Or am I just being impatient and need to wait longer? Like is it normal for the smell to get a bit funky but then recover later on? I have several different hygrometers in several different jars all within +/- 2 percent of each other, and I've never had it go over 65%. Like it seems like this method in this thread would work great if you put the Bovedas in once the RH was below 55% and not above it...
Also, why put the Boveda on the top as opposed to on the side or bottom?
I haven't experienced any of that, flat9. The Boveda goes on the top as a matter of convenience since the jar is already full of weed. I check the hygrometer in a few days just to be sure that the RH hasn't come up in the jar, then let it rest for at least 2 weeks. It seems to me that the quality hits a plateau in a month or few, depending, then degrades very slowly over a year or so. I have small bits of material over a year old that still smoke great, having only lost a little in terms of aroma.
As you say, it's a little damp for best toking, so I pull out small amounts when desired, let it dry a little more, keep it in a tin. I don't generally toke directly from the curing jars.
I've only been doing this for a couple of years, so I'm no expert. I use the boveda packs in conjunction with simon's method just to make sure that the curing process doesn't end too soon, that it continues even with repeated extractions from the jar.
In some way that I can't explain, proper drying & curing lets the life processes of the plant wind down slowly, complete themselves while creating an environment where mold can't take over. If it gets too dry too fast, those processes never finish & can't be revived.
As you say, it's a little damp for best toking, so I pull out small amounts when desired, let it dry a little more, keep it in a tin. I don't generally toke directly from the curing jars.
I've only been doing this for a couple of years, so I'm no expert. I use the boveda packs in conjunction with simon's method just to make sure that the curing process doesn't end too soon, that it continues even with repeated extractions from the jar.
In some way that I can't explain, proper drying & curing lets the life processes of the plant wind down slowly, complete themselves while creating an environment where mold can't take over. If it gets too dry too fast, those processes never finish & can't be revived.
It's very strange that I'm having much different results. Mind chiming in on the thread regarding just using an extended environmentally controlled dry instead of worrying about the burping process?
That makes sense. 62% is a hair on the damp side for best smoking, ime. If you're happy with the cure, go to the 54% or 49% so it's a little drier right out of the jar.
I'm curious what longer cures can do, so they're not for me.
http://www.bovedainc.com/store/herbal/boveda-60g/
Indeed there's a 54% and a 62%. Okay I'm officially sold on the 54% given my experiences....
Indeed there's a 54% and a 62%. Okay I'm officially sold on the 54% given my experiences....
How long do you let it sit in the jars for w/ the 62s? How much burping do you do, if any? How do you dry? Input is appreciated, thanks!
Doubt that's great for flowering. My girls like 45-50% for flower. Never had any PM or mold problems...
I don't use boveda packs, I was just telling what rh I like for curing. I burp them just enaugh to keep the rh inside the jars at around 60%, but the packs regulate the rh by themselves so you don't need to burp them. As i already told you guys in my previous post, I like to cure for 4 to 6 months, then smoke it or put it for long term storage in a deep freezer. For long term storage I lower the rh a bit more, for smoking that is not necesary, cause opening the jar will lower it anyway.
Until you set out to dry & cure it, at which point the always present mold population exploded. It's like this-
http://mathforum.org/sanders/geometry/GP11Fable.html
Starting on square 8 & square 1 looks the same at the start wrt mold- both are undetectable to the grower. A few squares later & the difference becomes obvious.
All weed has some mold unless it's been heat treated or irradiated. The issue is how much. I suspect that simon's method would be near foolproof if the material were heat & humidity treated first, kinda like this-
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=296366
Simon's method works for him, for me & for others because we start out with relatively low levels of mold. If you start out with more, even though it's undetectable at the time, then your chances of having it run rampant during drying are much greater. If you don't complete the drying process before attempting to cure, the same thing happens.
I found something that might interest you guys. I always seem to run shy on gallon jars when I'm curing, and I just picked up a couple of these Gamma lids. They go on standard 5 gallon buckets and probably the 3.5 gallon ones. They are O-ringed and supposed to fully seal - I have dog food containers that use these lids and they seal up like a duck's butt. Now to find some food grade buckets....
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite-5-gal-Screw-Top-Lid-5GAMMA6/203205720
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite-5-gal-Screw-Top-Lid-5GAMMA6/203205720
Yep those things are great! This is how I'm doing it from here on out...
I started using the gamma lids and 5gal buckets last harvest,
used in conjunction with a couple of the boveda 62%paks in each one and it keeps everything stable for months now.
I have 3wks worth of trimming daily for 2 people
perfect again for keeping everything stable until we can get to it
used in conjunction with a couple of the boveda 62%paks in each one and it keeps everything stable for months now.
I have 3wks worth of trimming daily for 2 people
perfect again for keeping everything stable until we can get to it
So you just de-bone it and throw it into the buckets?
Btw, a dry trimming machine is a life saver.
