HELP! Large quantity drying advice needed?

PLEASE HELP ME!

Hey all, I recently had a nute burn problem which was kindly resolved by the members here at RIU. However I am fast approaching the day of harvest and I have a big dilemma!

i have 34 plants which I'll be taking down at the same time (contrary to not all of it being at exactly the same stage). I have no choice in the matter and it all needs to come down .

i expect to yield between 4/8oz per plant. (Dry weight)

if I get (on average) 4 per plant there'll be 134oz.

if I get (on average) 8 per plant there'll be 268oz.

Now, this in itself is a large amount for me and having adequate drain space could be somewhat of a problem.

i have roughly a 12ft long by 2 1/2ft wide by 6ft tall room in which to dry it. I also intend to use a 6"extractor and filter along with a 4"extractor and filter. I also intend to use ONA gel tubs near the entrance/exit of the room and seal all windows with duct tape just in case.

However, we have neighbours as do most people and I am concerned that this quantity will smell like 5-10 times more than any grow I have done before. Am I right in thinking that the smell will be massively stronger due to the amount and would my fans and gel be adequate enough to prevent the smell from "seeping" into next doors house somehow as this obviously can't happen....

I need advice or suggestions if possible to help me make the right decision.

i could take it elsewhere but the same concern still dwells heavily on my mind.... :S

Id massively appreciate any and all assistance that can be provided...

PLEASE HELP ME!

As long as all air is leaving through the filter it should be fine.

HOWEVER with that amount of plant material humidity maybe a concern.

You want humidity under 55% and over 40% ideally for drying.

Keep an eye on your RH because filters become less effective with RH above 80%.

Dehumidifier might be worth looking into just incase.



J

jondamon said:

As long as all air is leaving through the filter it should be fine.

HOWEVER with that amount of plant material humidity maybe a concern.

You want humidity under 55% and over 40% ideally for drying.

Keep an eye on your RH because filters become less effective with RH above 80%.

Dehumidifier might be worth looking into just incase.



J

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i notice you're in the uk Jon, I too am in the UK and I own 4 dehumidifers (3x20L/day & 1x10L/day) but the problem I thought with using it is that they pump a lot of warm/hot air out via the fan on the units. They do have 2 fan speed settings high and low, but I don't want to inadvertently force dry the bud from the air that comes out of the dehumidifiers. However I know I will need to use one/two of them to control the humidity that like you said comes with that quantity of plant material.

Any further advice as I will be working in the space described above (a damp cellar) which I dehumidify at present, will the increased airflow from the dehumidifers unwantedly dry it too fast and raise the temp to high???

Thanks to all for your replies!!

it is much appreciated

MISSPHOEBE said:

doesn't sound like you've got much of a choice... its gotta come down and its gotta dry... so dont stress yourself out... it will all be fine! I sometimes cut and place into paper bags if I am worried about Smell! folded paper bags helps and paper bags breath just dont put too much in each bag and check for mold.....

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Would this be worth considering even considering the large quantity? I may buy a few thousand paper bags lol but it could well be a solution. I had intended to hang them so the juices can soak into the bud from the stems (as I usually do). Will using paper bags reduce how efficiently the buds will dry?? Or not?? I'm not use to that approach, if you can shed anymore light that would be brilliant

thanks missP

Don't you have an RH stat on your dehumidifier?

Just set it around 40-50% and you should be golden.

Yes they do kick out warm dry air. That's how they work.


Keep your RH gauges inside the area and monitor the RH until your within the levels required.



J

jondamon said:

Don't you have an RH stat on your dehumidifier?

Just set it around 40-50% and you should be golden.

Yes they do kick out warm dry air. That's how they work.


Keep your RH gauges inside the area and monitor the RH until your within the levels required.



J

Click to expand...

Im just concerned that the dehumidifers will increase temps considerably. What is a safe temp range to work within during drying? As I don't want too much warmth to be added to the area?? Thanks again J

Max IMO 22C as long as RH is around 55%.


Ideally 18C at 50% RH.


J

You didn't say how you grew 3 dozen huge plants. You have probably over-estimated your yields by a bunch. More likely to dry one ounce/per. BigSteve.