Boreal Curing
Well-Known Member
Harvesting, Drying and Curing
Notes:
Most of the aromas that we associate with cannabis are the result of terpenes and flavonoids. Humans can smell and taste these compounds. Terpene levels increase during the dark period and reach their peak just before dawn. During the day terpenes evaporate and fill the surrounding air with odor to warn predators. By the end of the day, at dusk, terpene (and cannabinoid) levels are at their lowest. When you cut down your plant, all metabolic activity continues for some time. Therefore, harvesting cannabis JUST BEFORE “lights on” or dawn is desirable for maximum terpene retention.
"Just Before" dawn refers to "Nautical Twilight" when the birds typically start singing (about 30 minutes before it starts to get light out).
You can find the Nautical Twilight for your location here https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/.
Some will say "But those terpenes will evaporate anyway."
I say "it's better to start with lots, then less."
Curing properly, is all about maximizing quality and eliminating isoprene terpenes (the stuff that makes you cough). So whether you cure in Mason Jars and burp manually every day, or use an automated system, make sure you take the full 3 weeks. Sampling while you're waiting is allowed.
Peace
Notes:
- Drying time above is for a typical cannabis plant.
- Harvesting, Wet Trimming, and drying flower on racks requires approximately 7 to 10 days total (depending in bud size and density).
- The amount of moisture/humidity in your plant including size of the stalk, larger fan leaves, branches and bud density, all affect the drying time.
- Short of an expensive Water Activity test, the branch snap is the best, and a fairly reliable indicator of a plant that has been dried enough and is ready for curing.
- The law of Diminishing Returns applies to Curing flower beyond week 4. i.e. (Increase in quality will be trivial.)
Most of the aromas that we associate with cannabis are the result of terpenes and flavonoids. Humans can smell and taste these compounds. Terpene levels increase during the dark period and reach their peak just before dawn. During the day terpenes evaporate and fill the surrounding air with odor to warn predators. By the end of the day, at dusk, terpene (and cannabinoid) levels are at their lowest. When you cut down your plant, all metabolic activity continues for some time. Therefore, harvesting cannabis JUST BEFORE “lights on” or dawn is desirable for maximum terpene retention.
"Just Before" dawn refers to "Nautical Twilight" when the birds typically start singing (about 30 minutes before it starts to get light out).
You can find the Nautical Twilight for your location here https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/.
Some will say "But those terpenes will evaporate anyway."
I say "it's better to start with lots, then less."
Curing properly, is all about maximizing quality and eliminating isoprene terpenes (the stuff that makes you cough). So whether you cure in Mason Jars and burp manually every day, or use an automated system, make sure you take the full 3 weeks. Sampling while you're waiting is allowed.
Peace