Cannabis Heal | Fifth Ave Green House

How to properly dry and cure cannabis.

There is no single secret to growing good marijuana.

Obtaining premium cannabis requires meticulous attention to detail when growing, pruning, trimming, and drying the resulting herb. There can also be a fair amount of luck involved.

The final step in the process, drying and curing the cannabis plant, makes a huge difference in the quality of the final product. While patient and careful drying will not improve poorly grown herbs, a rushed curing process can undo all the hard work of growing quality flowers.

The importance of this final phase should not be underestimated.

A proper curing process is essential to produce the rich aromatic smoke and achieve the best potency from your herb.

In this article you will learn how and why cannabis is cured, what benefits the final product brings, and how you can cure cannabis yourself.

What is healing?

Curing is the process of preserving organic material (normal food) by removing water, making the food inhospitable to bacteria that would otherwise break it down.

The oldest curing methods such as salting and smoking are still used today, but nitrites are more commonly used in mass production.

For marijuana growers, this means: The treatment makes marijuana dry like beef jerky and therefore resistant to the ravages of time. Just as bacteria feed on meat or vegetables left on the counter, bacteria feed on uncured cannabis.

Drying freshly grown marijuana is not just for preservation. It also affects the taste and even the potency of the herb.

The Benefits of Properly Curing Marijuana

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The terpene profile and cannabinoid concentration of cannabis are improved with proper curing.

Freshly cut cannabis will continue to ripen, just as a freshly picked, unripe fruit will continue to ripen at home over the next few days.

While the freshly harvested branches can no longer extract nutrients from the main stem, the flowers continue to obtain the remaining nutrients from the branches. At this stage, THCa synthesis continues and when the cannabis is properly cured, the cannabinoids are fully developed before being suspended in this state.

Taste good

Curing also preserves the terpene signature, which influences the smell and taste of different strains. As enzymes and bacteria feed on decaying plants, they can also consume terpenes and cannabinoids.

While this may suggest that the logical step is to stop any decay that doesn't produce the best results, the truth is that you want certain compounds in your plants to be eaten.

Freshly cut marijuana still contains high levels of sugar, starch, and other live plant compounds like chlorophyll; All of this tastes terrible when you smoke it.

This is why improperly pickled (or freshly picked) marijuana tastes bitter and feels harsh in the lungs. We need to let the flavors develop and mature like a bottle of excellent wine.

How to cure cannabis

The first step in the curing process is to dry well.

The freshly cut and trimmed cannabis should be hung up to dry for about a few weeks, depending on the room climate.

This is how you can tell when the cannabis has dried properly

The stems should snap like a brittle twig. If the stems are still flexible and soft like living plants, you need to give them more time to dry.

Next, collect the buds from the branches and collect them in airtight containers.

Wide-mouth mason jars, such as mason jars with rubber seals, are often used because they seal well when closed and breathe well when open. Fill the jars about three-quarters full so that enough air can enter.

Do not pack the flowers too tightly as this will only increase the humidity and cause mold to form on the harvested buds.

Some growers have a digital hydrometer in the jar to closely monitor moisture levels. These devices usually also display the temperature. The ideal temperature is 60-70°F with a humidity of 60-65%.

You need to open these jars once a day and replace the used oxygen with fresh air for the first week. This process, called regurgitation, allows only a slight deterioration at a time. After the first week, you will only need to burp every few days.

Note: The buds are probably not dry enough to cure if you smell the smell of mold or ammonia after the first few days of popping the jars. Remove the buds and continue drying them for a few days to prevent mold.

Properly curing cannabis takes at least two weeks, but a longer cure of four to six weeks is even better. Some growers cure their weeds for up to six months. In such an airtight pot, the weeds stay relatively fresh for up to a year.

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Curing cannabis is the most important step in the growing process to protect your weed and preserve its flavor and potency. Curing allows for additional THC synthesis after harvest and preserves terpene properties while allowing bacteria to eat up excess starch and bitters.

Since curing is the final step before smoking, it might be tempting to rush it in anticipation of smoking your latest batch. But experienced, patient growers who take the time to properly cure their buds will be rewarded with a delicious smoke that makes the effort worth it.

Common questions about cannabis healing.

Why do we need to heal cannabis?

Curing cannabis is similar to curing food. It is primarily a way to preserve cannabis long-term. A proper cannabis regimen also allows the THC to continue to develop after harvest and preserve the strain's terpene profile.

What is live-cured cannabis?

Live-dried cannabis is when the freshly cut cannabis is preserved at sub-zero temperatures. This rapid freezing process preserves the plant's fresh trichomes. These trichomes are then typically harvested to make bubble hash or extracts.

When should I start curing my harvested cannabis?

Curing begins once the harvest buds are dry enough. If you hang the cannabis dry immediately after cutting, this will usually happen 1-2 weeks later. Of course, the temperature and humidity in the roasting area will affect this, so adjust accordingly.

How long should I cure?

The minimum healing time for cannabis is around two weeks. However, it is recommended to opt for a duration of 4 to 6 weeks as this should result in better taste and effectiveness. Some producers age their crops for six months to produce a premium product.