I’m new to growing and have harvested my first crop. How do I know if I have properly cured the buds and if they’re ready to consume?
One answer “How to tell if your buds are properly cured?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I’m new to growing and have harvested my first crop. How do I know if I have properly cured the buds and if they’re ready to consume?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Curing is an incredibly important step when it comes to harvesting cannabis. After months of tending to your plants and eagerly waiting for harvest day to arrive, you don’t want your hard work to go to waste, which is why curing your buds correctly is a must. But, since this is your first time, how do you know when your buds have been properly cured and are ready to be consumed?
The purpose of curing is to improve the flavor, smoothness and potency of the buds. In order to achieve this perfectly cured goodness, you should begin by picking off any fan leaves and trimming your freshly harvested buds while they’re still wet to remove any remaining leaves.
Now it’s time to start the curing process. Place your freshly trimmed buds into wide-mouthed jars, making sure not to over-pack them, as lack of air flow will cause mold and dampness which can ruin your entire harvest. Using the two-finger technique (pinching two fingers and sliding your thumbs up against them to create an outward force), gently squeeze and break up the buds. Loosen them slightly bit by bit until you achieve a slightly fluffy and not overly compressed consistency.
Take your jars and seal them slightly leaving an inch of space between the tops of the buds and the sealed lids. Store the jars in a temperature-controlled room with a relative humidity (RH) of 62-65% and keep them there for the next 6-8 weeks. If humidity levels are too low the buds will dry out prematurely, and on the other hand, too much moisture can cause buds to spoil, so make sure you keep an eye on things.
Check the buds every 3-5 days by opening the jars to give them some fresh air, but be sure to close them as soon as you’ve finished. Over these weeks, the buds will lose their initial moisture and start to become more brittle. Buds should still be pliable and slightly sticky, but not overly wet.
Eventually, the buds will start to give off an unmistakable, skunky aroma. Once you detect this scent, your buds are ready to be tested. Take a bud, place it in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze. The bud should break apart and crumble slightly. Discard the bud if it’s too soft, damp or manages to stick together, but if it passes the test, then your buds are ready to consume!
Curing cannabis correctly isn’t as difficult as it may seem, but it will take time, patience and a keen eye to make sure you have done it right. Now that you have harvested your first crop, you can finally enjoy the perfectly cured fruit of your labor!