Step-by-Step Guide: How to Dry, Cure, and Store Your Homegrown Cannabis
Now that you’ve got your green thumb, it’s time to properly dry, cure and store your homegrown cannabis. Growing cannabis at home can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but the real excitement happens after you harvest those beautiful buds. Properly drying, curing, and storing your cannabis will ensure your hard work pays off with top-notch results. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essentials, breaking down each step so it’s easy to understand and follow.
Before we begin, remember: laws regarding home cultivation of cannabis vary state by state. Be aware of how many plants you can legally have and the amount of dried cannabis an adult can possess in your home.
Harvesting and Preparing Your Cannabis
Before you light up your homegrown bud you must dry, cure, and store the flower first. Before you begin this process you will want to prepare your bud. To prepare your bud for these steps you will want to trim your cannabis. Trimming helps remove excess leaves that don’t have as much THC or CBD as the buds and can affect the overall quality and flavor of your stash. The leaves that you want to trim off of your stalk are often referred to as the fan leaves. These are the easily recognizable and oversized cannabis leaves that are often used to associate and distinguish a product as cannabis.
- Wet Trimming: Trim the fan leaves right after harvesting your homegrown cannabis. This method allows you to dry only the buds, and sugary leaves, reducing the chance of mold.
- Dry Trimming: If you prefer, you can hang the whole plant or large branches to dry first and then trim all of the leaves off once they are dry. This approach can take longer but is easier if you’re not in a rush.
Don’t forget, don’t trim your buds off of the branches. Hanging your entire branch to dry will take longer, but it will make it easier to utilize the most space without worrying about the buds touching. Remember, airflow is important to help prevent mold.
Drying Cannabis
Properly drying cannabis is crucial for preserving cannabinoids and terpenes, which affect its potency, taste, and smell. Here’s how to set up your drying environment:
- High-End Option: If you’re looking for a top-notch setup, invest in a drying tent with adjustable temperature and humidity controls. This allows you to fine-tune the conditions for optimal drying.
- Budget-Friendly Option: Don’t worry if you can’t splurge on a tent; an empty closet works just as well. Use clothes hangers or a drying rack to hang your buds. Make sure the space is dark and ventilated, with a small fan circulating air gently (but not directly on the buds).
Tips for the Drying Room
- Temperature: Aim for around 60-70°F.
- Humidity: Keep the humidity level between 50-60%.
- Air Circulation: Ensure there is enough airflow without too much direct wind to avoid drying the outer layers too quickly while the inside stays moist.
- Duration: Drying typically takes 7-14+ days. The stems should snap instead of bending when the buds are ready for the next step.
How to Cure Weed
Curing is the process that ensures your cannabis develops the best flavor and potency over time. This step might require a little patience, but it’s worth it.
Materials You’ll Need
- Airtight glass jars (such as glass Mason jars)
- Hygrometer (small ones that fit in jars), this will help to track the humidity and temperature inside of the jars.
Steps for Curing
- Fill the Jars: Place your dried buds into the jars, filling them about ¾ full to leave room for air circulation.
- Monitor Humidity: Ideally, you want the internal humidity to be around 55-65%. Using a small hygrometer in each jar will help you monitor this.
- Burping the Jars: For the first week or two, open the jars once or twice a day for 10-15 minutes to release moisture and let fresh air in. This process, known as “burping,” helps prevent mold growth and evens out moisture levels.
- Final Stages: After the initial two weeks, you can reduce burping to once every few days. The curing process can last anywhere from 2-8+ weeks, with the best results usually coming after a month or more.
Trimming Tips Before Storing
After the curing process, a final trim can make a big difference in how your buds look and feel. This “final touch” can improve the appearance of your flower and remove any leftover sugar leaves that might affect the taste.
Trimming Techniques
- Use sharp trimming scissors for precision.
- Trim over a tray or surface to catch any trichomes that fall off; these can be collected as kief for later use.
Your hands and scissors will be sticky from trimming the cannabis. You can use rubber gloves while trimming to protect your hands or you can use some rubbing alcohol and dish detergent to gently remove the resin from your hands.
How to Store Weed Safely and Effectively
Proper storage keeps your homegrown weed potent and fresh for months. Here’s what to consider:
Containers:
- High-End Option: Specialty cannabis storage containers that can be personally customized.
- Budget-Friendly Option: Glass Mason jars work well and are budget-friendly. Just make sure the lid seals tightly.
You may want to add a humidity pack to your container to help keep your flower fresh.
Storage Environment
- Temperature: Store your jars in a cool, dark place. Excessive heat can degrade THC, while light can cause cannabinoids to break down.
- Safety: Ensure your storage area is secure and out of reach of children and pets. A locked cabinet or drawer is an ideal place.
Bonus Information
Here are a few additional tips that may help you with your homegrown weed.
Smell and Taste
- A well-cured cannabis flower has a deep, aromatic scent. If your jar smells musty or damp, it could indicate excess moisture—open the jar more frequently and allow for additional drying.
Plastic Bags
- Never store your cannabis in plastic bags for extended periods. Plastic may cause static, which could pull trichomes away from the buds, and single-use plastic bags may not be the most environmentally friendly option.
Preventing Issues
- Keep a close eye on humidity levels to avoid mold.
- Regularly check your stash for any signs of unwanted visitors like spider mites.
Cultivating cannabis at home is an investment of both time and effort. By understanding the drying, curing, and storing process, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor with pride. Whether you’re using a high-end drying tent or improvising with a spare closet, the most important part is to stay consistent and mindful of your environment.
Remember, while this guide provides you with best practices, always ensure that your setup aligns with local regulations. Happy growing!
Waiting for your cannabis flower to finish? Doobie has you covered. For more information on cannabis and cannabis delivery contact the Doobie Concierge at (888) 8Doobie or visit trydoobie.com.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Please consume cannabis responsibly and follow all local laws and regulations.
