Unattended curing

Hello everyone.
I think I might have a problem. I'm curing in jars right now and have been for almost a week. The thing is, I will be leaving for a trip next Friday and won't be back until the following Tuesday. I don't have anyone else that can watch my crop. Do you think my buds could be damaged by mold or anything else during that time?
Another thing is that I may have stopped the drying process a little too soon. I'm not sure since this is my first grow and I don't even burn so the texture, moisture content, smell etc. are all new to me.
I went straight from hanging to jars, as was recommended by several growers, and skipped the paper bags. I was thinking that I might put them in bags while I am away. I figure this will keep them somewhat safe from airborne particulate yet still allow them to "breathe". However, I am also worried about them drying out too much during that time.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what I should do?

Thanks for reading,
The Spiteful One

Bags are probably a safe bet. Your nugs might get a little too dry, but it's better then getting moldy. I would much rather have excessively dry weed then moldy weed.

What I would do is pull them out of Jars and let them air dry on table for 20 mins or so then put them in a gallon ziplock bag with all the air out. If you paper bag them you will come home to DRYED out Harsh herb.
You can always start the cure once you get back.

Mold is the worst thing that could happen, it can kill you (some types) is smoked. If at all in question if they are not dry enough leave them open and rehydrate them when you get home. If they are close to being in the OK range you could leave them closed and place them in the refrigerator as long as the will not freeze, some fridges have cold spots. This will slow down any bad spores it there but I can not say what it will do to your buds. I personally don't think it will harm them in any way. Good luck man......JR

Be careful about bagging them in a Ziplock with all the air out. Before I started growing, I sold a decent bit. One time I bought a half pound and separated it into 2 QP's, one I broke down to sell, the other I vacuum sealed to store. Well even though the buds seemed fine, and smoked pretty good, the grower didn't cure correctly and the QP I sealed started to mold...even in a vaccum sealed canister. I immediatley aired it all out and had to take a loss on the moldy buds....My first lesson on how important the curing process is.

Motorbreath said:

Be careful about bagging them in a Ziplock with all the air out. Before I started growing, I sold a decent bit. One time I bought a half pound and separated it into 2 QP's, one I broke down to sell, the other I vacuum sealed to store. Well even though the buds seemed fine, and smoked pretty good, the grower didn't cure correctly and the QP I sealed started to mold...even in a vaccum sealed canister. I immediatley aired it all out and had to take a loss on the moldy buds....My first lesson on how important the curing process is.

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My friends freeze it with no problems.

Here is a recent thread on this topic.

The thread starter was kind enough to do a follow-up post following his absence and gave a report. I hope it helps.

https://www.rollitup.org/harvesting-curing/248585-curing-but-have-go-out.html

Good luck and good growing.

GoldenGanja13 said:

My friends freeze it with no problems.

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But if you freeze bud that has too much moisture in it it will turn it dark dark green. You are rupturing the cell walls. I don't know if it will affect the smoke at all.

If the bud is cured the right amount there will be no problem.....JR

jrinlv said:

But if you freeze bud that has too much moisture in it it will turn it dark dark green. You are rupturing the cell walls. I don't know if it will affect the smoke at all.

If the bud is cured the right amount there will be no problem.....JR

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Well that does not sound good. I will pass it along.
I was never one for freezing bud at all, not even when collecting keif.

Thanks for your input and info, and thanks Johnny for the link. I'll mull it all over during the next few days and let you all know how it turns out after I get back.

Kind regards,
The Spiteful One

good luck...personally i would just leave them on newspaper for 24hrs then put them back into the jars...

I would Freeze them.

Here's a thought....what about dry ice? Isn't it just CO2? I'm pretty sure they use CO2 to slow or halt the degradation of fruit in storage since oxygen is what a fruit reacts with and makes it spoil faster.
So could one just put a chip of it in the jar until it is almost evaporated, which would mean that CO2 is filling the jar and displacing normal atmosphere, and then seal the jar? Would this along with putting it in the fridge halt all activity with the curing bud?

Some of the most dangerous bacteria grow under zero O2 situations i.e. botulism, not saying that is what will grow on your weed but don't risk it...JR

Take the jars with you!!

super2200 said:

Take the jars with you!!

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Or go ahead and send them to me I will watch them while your away.

Wow. You guys are such terrific friends to offer to watch my cure for me. I'll definitely think it over!! lol

Well, I got back from SoCal on Tuesday and took the jars out of the fridge. All is well and curing has resumed with no ill effects. Thanks, everyone, for all your input.
Regards,
The Spiteful One

KingOfSpite said:

Well, I got back from SoCal on Tuesday and took the jars out of the fridge. All is well and curing has resumed with no ill effects. Thanks, everyone, for all your input.
Regards,
The Spiteful One

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Excellent hope this means it will be a very good holiday season for you>