For many, drying is the most important process in cannabis cultivation. They are not without reason. The way you carry out this last step will decide the good or bad quality of your crop, even if you have spent weeks taking good care of the plants. But don’t worry: there is no riddle to the drying process. Even novices can master this technique with 4×8 grow tent. The key is to be patient.
Growing marijuana is an exciting process for weed lovers. First, you have to fertilize the plants. Then you have to water them often and stay alert to the needs of the strain at all times. But if there’s one thing growers love, it’s picking the crop, the fruit of weeks of effort and dedication.
In order to enjoy our cultivation, we have to carry out the probably most critical step of the whole process. This is drying, a technique that consists of removing excess water from the plant’s buds, the level of which varies by 75% in fresh cannabis. The aim of drying is to reduce this percentage by about 10-15 %, in order to prevent the abundance of water from spoiling the crop.
During this process, if the techniques are appropriate, the potency and flavour of the herb can be preserved and increased. However, an error in drying can ruin the best quality crops. Therefore, do not be in a hurry. The best thing is to be patient and let things run their course.
Usually, a good drying needs 10 to 15 days to be completed successfully. The most advisable option is to get rid of as much humidity as possible during the first three days and then slow down the process a bit.
Conditions for drying cannabis
In order to obtain good quality marijuana, it is important that during the first three days of drying, a temperature around 20 degrees Celsius is maintained. In this way, the buds will dry quickly but without reaching dangerous speeds. After this period of time, the temperature should be reduced by a couple of degrees.
As for humidity, it is recommended that during the first phase it should be around 50 % and after three days it should be increased slightly to 60 %, to slow down the drying process. With regard to ventilation, an electric oscillating fan is a good option to control temperature and humidity, but do not focus the appliance directly on the buds, because this will cause them to dry unevenly.
Finally, it is important that the room where the drying takes place is dark, as sunlight degrades the THC in cannabis.
Drying techniques
Once you know the requirements for successful drying, it is time to become familiar with the two main methods of removing excess water from plants.
For large harvests, net drying is recommended, which saves a lot of space. This process involves placing the buds on several tiers or nets, depending on their size or cutting time. Whenever we work with buds we must avoid them touching each other, with the intention of facilitating the drying process.
The second and most widespread technique is that of stringing, which is usually used for outdoor crops, as the size of the branches is larger. This method consists of hanging the buds upside down on a rope, just as we would do with wet clothes. The only drawback is that it takes up more space than a net, but it can be done on a terrace or in the garden of the house without difficulty. As with netting, it is important that the buds do not touch each other and that they are at a considerable distance from the ground to prevent them from getting dirty.
Tricks for urgent drying
Despite being a simple technique, the biggest problem with drying is that it is not suitable for the most impatient. Although it is advisable to let it take the necessary time, there are urgent occasions when one cannot wait. There are a number of techniques to advance the drying process, but you should also be aware that the result may not be the same.
The first option is to manicure the buds and bring them closer to a radiator so that they get warm and end up drying. Another possibility is to put on an apron and turn on the oven: at a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius, your buds will be practically dry in a quarter of an hour. If you don’t have an oven, you can also use the microwave.
Another alternative is to cut the buds into small pieces and store them in a glass container with an airtight lid. Inside the container we will also introduce drying bags of silica gel, which will be in charge of absorbing the humidity of the marijuana in a few hours. The last option is to use a food dehydrator for one or two days. This device consists of a series of stackable racks where the buds are placed. A fan blows air through these grids upwards to dry the buds in a short time.
With these tips, you are now ready to try out cannabis drying, a very easy technique that will make you enjoy the herb like a child in new shoes. Just don’t let restlessness play tricks on you. As the saying goes, patience is the mother of all sciences (and thanks to it, you’ll be able to get hold of a luxury crop).