Cannabis drying and curing basics

Dry cannabis at 60-70°F and 45-55% relative humidity for 7-14 days. Then cure the flower in sealed glass jars at 58-62% humidity for 2-8 weeks. Burp the jars to release moisture and gas. This process reduces chlorophyll and preserves terpenes.

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Drying conditions

Set the drying room to 60-70°F. Keep relative humidity at 45-55%. Use a dark room with indirect airflow. A fan pointed at a wall moves air without hitting the plants.

Cannabis Drying and Curing Tips

Hang whole plants or branches. Space branches 6-12 inches apart. Remove large fan leaves before drying. Keep sugar leaves on the bud for a slower dry.

How to Dry and Cure Cannabis

Drying timeline

Most flower dries in 7-14 days. Test a small stem. It should snap, not bend. The bud surface feels dry. The interior holds moisture. If humidity drops below 40%, the flower dries too fast and smells like hay. If humidity stays above 60%, mold risk rises.

cannabis drying and curing methods

Curing steps

  1. Trim dried flower. Leave a short stem.
  2. Fill glass mason jars to 75% of volume. Do not pack the flower.
  3. Place a hygrometer in each jar. Target 58-62% relative humidity.
  4. Seal jars. Store at 60-70°F in a dark place.
  5. Open each jar for 10-15 minutes each day for the first 7 days.
  6. Burp every 2-3 days for the next 2 weeks.
  7. Burp each week after that.

Cure for 2-8 weeks. A 4-week cure suits most flower. A 8-week cure can improve smoothness.

Humidity control

Add a 62% humidity pack if jar humidity falls below 55%. Remove the pack if humidity rises above 65%. A jar hygrometer costs little and prevents guesswork.

Problems and fixes

  • Ammonia smell: flower is too wet. Open the jar longer and reduce fill level.
  • Hay smell: flower dried too fast or cured too short. Extend the cure.
  • White or gray fuzz: mold. Discard the affected flower.
  • Crumbly buds: humidity was too low. Add a humidity pack and seal the jar.

Storage

Store cured flower in airtight glass jars at 60-70°F. Keep jars out of light. Do not store flower in plastic bags for long periods. Plastic can transfer odor and does not seal as well as glass.

Legal status of cannabis varies by location. Follow local law.