Cure cannabis | Fifth Ave Green House

There isn’t a single secret to growing good marijuana.

Maintaining premium cannabis comes from careful attention to detail in growing, pruning, trimming, and drying the resulting herb. There can also be a lot of luck with it.

The final step in the process, drying and curing the cannabis plant, makes a huge difference in the quality of the end product. While a patient and careful drying process won’t improve poorly grown herbs, hasty curing can ruin all of the hard work involved in growing high quality flowers.

The importance of this final phase should not be underestimated.

Proper curing process is essential to creating the flavorful smoke and getting the best potency out of your herb.

This article describes how and why cannabis is cured, the benefits of the end product, and how to cure cannabis on its own.

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 are still used today, such as salting and smoking, although nitrites are more commonly used in mass production.

For marijuana growers, this means treating marijuana will make it dry like beef jerky and make it resistant to the ravages of time. Just as bacteria feed on meat or vegetables left over on the counter, bacteria feed on uncured cannabis.

There is more to the drying of freshly grown marijuana than just preservation. It also affects the taste and even the potency of the herb.

The Benefits of Properly Curing Marijuana

power

Proper curing improves the terpene profile and cannabinoid concentration of cannabis.

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

While the freshly harvested branches can no longer draw nutrients from the main shoot, the flowers will continue to draw 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

Curing also preserves the terpene signature that affects the smell and taste of different varieties. Because enzymes and bacteria feed on rotting plants, they can also ingest terpenes and cannabinoids.

While this may suggest that the logical step is to stop any rot that is not producing the best results, the truth is that you want to eat certain compounds in your plants.

Freshly cut marijuana is still filled with lots of sugar, starch, and other living plant compounds like chlorophyll; all of these taste awful when smoked.

Because of this, improperly pickled (or freshly picked) marijuana tastes bitter and feels hard in the lungs. We have to develop the aromas and let them mature like a bottle of excellent wine.

How to cure cannabis

The first step in the curing process is good drying.

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

You can tell when the cannabis is properly dried because

The stems should break like a brittle twig. If the stems are still flexible and soft like live 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 jars, such as mason jars with rubber seals, are often used because they seal well when closed and breathe easily when opened. Fill the jars about three-quarters full to allow room for air to enter.

Don’t pack the jats 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 the humidity. These devices usually also display the temperature. The ideal temperature is 60-70 ° F with 60-65% humidity.

You need to open these jars once a day and replace the used oxygen with fresh air for the first week. This process, known as belching, allows little deterioration at any one time. After the first week, all you have to do is burp every few days.

Note: The buds are likely not dry enough to heal if you smell the smell of mold or ammonia after the first few days of opening the jars. Remove the buds and continue drying for a few days to avoid mold.

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

Conclusion

Curing cannabis is the most important step in the growing process to protect your weed and maintain its taste and potency. Curing enables additional THC synthesis after harvest and preserves the terpene properties, while carefully allowing bacteria to absorb excess starch and bitter substances.

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

Common questions about the healing of cannabis.

Why do we need to cure cannabis?

Healing cannabis is similar to healing food. It is primarily a way to preserve cannabis over the long term. Proper cannabis regimen will also allow THC to evolve after harvest and maintain the strain’s terpene profile.

What is live cured cannabis?

Live-cured cannabis is when the freshly cut cannabis is preserved at sub-zero temperatures. This quick freezing process keeps the fresh trichomes on the plant. These trichomes are then usually harvested to make bubble hash or extracts.

When should I start healing my harvested cannabis?

Hardening begins as soon as the harvest buds are dry enough. If you hang the cannabis dry right after cutting, it will usually be 1-2 weeks later. Of course, the temperature and humidity of the roasting area will affect this, so adjust them accordingly.

How long should i heal?

A minimum cure for cannabis is around two weeks. However, it is recommended to decide for 4-6 weeks what should result in superior taste and potency. Some growers will cure their crops for six months to create a top notch product.