This is a photo, taken at night with a flash (which I assume I should stop doing), of part of my plant - the first I've ever gotten this far. I have no idea what strain it is, just that it's a good one. I inherited it last October when it was a baby, wintered/vegged it with energy efficient grow lights, then gently introduced to the outdoors this spring, transplanting it into my garden. I pinched it well early on, so it's bushy and has two decent colas. SO, now I'm facing harvest time and I don't wanna do this wrong. The plant is still very green and seems to still be flowering I haven't fed it for a while, and I'm guessing that, I will have to harvest within a matter of weeks, as the temps can get very cold where I live. It may actually be time to start flushing? I've ordered a 40X magnifier to look at the trichomes, which will arrive approximately 14 days after this photo was taken. The white leaves are just beginning to turn in and a small percentage are turning color. It's still hard to see if trichomes are clear or white. I'm hoping a week doesn't make a difference. So, here's what I've gathered so far. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. 1. Start flushing now. (Soak the soil, let it drain, the soak again, to wash away the sodium?) Do this regularly until, when I taste a leaf, it tastes like water, not bitter. 2. Wait until the trichomes are milky white, no matter what the leaves are doing, before starting to cut. 3. Cut in the dark. Um...not sure how I can accomplish this. Best I can do is the hour before sunset on a cloudy day. I have to see. Make sure flowers are cut off via v-shaped stems to make it easier to hang upside down. By the way, I plan on a dry closet in a room that's not used often. I know too try isn't good, but where I live, 70% humidity is low. I can't imagine the humidity in any part of my place is less than 50%. 4. Use sharp scissors dedicated to this purpose. Start with the larger fan leaves. Cut small leaves back only as far as the leave's trichomes. Keep those crystals. Scrape the scissors with a sharp razor into a small, airtight container for bonus points. 5. Hang the v-shaped flowered stems upside down (I plan on pinning up some string for this.) Allow to dry, but not all the way. I definitely need a little help determining how to tell when it's time to cure. And how long? 1-2 weeks? 6. Use airtight containers - preferably glass jars with rubber seals, though I'll probably use plastic to cure flowers. Store these containers in a dark space? Burp these containers several times a day - though I'm fuzzy on how long to keep the containers open before closing them again. Also fuzzy on when curing is done. Is it possible to over-cure? Is the time-frame 1-2 weeks? Do I really need an instrument to measure humidity or are there for-dummies ways of determining when to stop drying and when to stop curing? I'm thinking the earliest I'll get to use the fruits of my labor is about 6 weeks from now. Two 'til harvest, two 'til drying, two 'til curing is done - at the minimum. Or maybe 10 weeks, in plenty of time for holiday cheer? Any advice appreciated. And yeah, I have been doing my research. And will continue to do so. My brain is getting easily confused due to the fear of messing this up! Advice appreciated!
1. Start flushing now. (Soak the soil, let it drain, the soak again, to wash away the sodium?) Do this regularly until, when I taste a leaf, it tastes like water, not bitter. When using soil, do not flush. Just don't add any nutrients! For the love of god, don't start tasting the leaves, no point in that! They will always taste bitter because of the chlorophyll 2. Wait until the trichomes are milky white, no matter what the leaves are doing, before starting to cut. Yes indeed, but if you grew the plants well, the leaves (bigger fan leaves) should have turned yellow. When the buds are ripe (both calyx and resin) and the leaves are still green, use less nutrients next time! You'll now have to cure the plant for a longer time and the smoke will be bitter and harsh in the beginning. 3. Cut in the dark. Um...not sure how I can accomplish this. Best I can do is the hour before sunset on a cloudy day. I have to see. Make sure flowers are cut off via v-shaped stems to make it easier to hang upside down. Last part yes, first part no! Harvest in the morning time (or when the lights are supposed to go on). This will leave you with the most aromatics still locked inside the resin and your buds will be more pungent and the effect will be better. By the way, I plan on a dry closet in a room that's not used often. I know too try isn't good, but where I live, 70% humidity is low. I can't imagine the humidity in any part of my place is less than 50%. Dry slowly at around 50% humidity. But make sure the air is circulating a bit without a fan blowing directly on the harvested buds. Drying in the attic is better than using a closed closet. 4. Use sharp scissors dedicated to this purpose. Start with the larger fan leaves. Cut small leaves back only as far as the leave's trichomes. Keep those crystals. Scrape the scissors with a sharp razor into a small, airtight container for bonus points. Keep the subtending leaves on the buds when you dry the plant. This will protect the resin and your buds. Fan leaves should come off fairly easy (if they have yellowed). Clean your scissors with alcohol (ethanol!) before you start. Collect the resin from your scissors to make hasj. 5. Hang the v-shaped flowered stems upside down (I plan on pinning up some string for this.) Allow to dry, but not all the way. I definitely need a little help determining how to tell when it's time to cure. And how long? 1-2 weeks? Normally dry slowly for 10 to 18 days. Feel the buds. If the stem inside a bud (not below it like most think!) barely snaps, you're in the golden zone. Time to trim the subtending leaves from your buds and put those buds in a glass jar (together with a good hygrometer!) 6. Use airtight containers - preferably glass jars with rubber seals, though I'll probably use plastic to cure flowers. Store these containers in a dark space? Burp these containers several times a day - though I'm fuzzy on how long to keep the containers open before closing them again. Also fuzzy on when curing is done. Is it possible to over-cure? Is the time-frame 1-2 weeks? Do not use plastic!! purchase some good glas jars! Really important, make the effort bro! Store in a dark and cool place (refrigerator is great for this!). Look at the hygrometer in the jar. Depending on the strain you use, relative humidity inside the jar should be anywhere from 58 to 66%. Make sure that when you open a jar up the relative humidity in the room is the same as within the jar. Otherwise you'll blow the curing process. It is possible to over cure. Time frame of curing is strain dependent and is anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 year. Good luck my friend!
Wow. Thanks for putting so much time into your response! I haven't fed anything in my garden for weeks, so I guess I'm good. No leaves are turning yellow, yet. It's been pretty warm for this time of September. I will definitely buy a hydrometer and will have to get up ridiculously early on a day off. Labor of love! Man, I hope it doesn't take a year to cure! Are you saying you're waiting for the relative humidity to get to 58-66% in the jar to start enjoying? I don't have an attic. Just a small apartment. Can I closet cure with the door open, fan on and avoid turning on lights too often? I do have access to the basement, but my landlord runs a dehumidifier down there right now. He's totally cool with this, but I wouldn't really want to use the basement. There's a mold issue down there. :/ P.S. For extra fun, I've decided to clone this plant. I have another one outside right now, but I'm afraid of wintering it only to find out it's a boy. At least I know this mature plant is good!
Id dry at 65% not 50% your pushing the enzymes at 50% cure will halt and may not return 62% is bang on tho auto help page if you need help with autoflowers http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1294434-Need-help-with-autos?-Welcome new vote page sept please vote http://www.dutch-passion.nl/en/photovote/2014-09-03-autoultimate%C2%AE-loki_1752/
Wow. Thanks for putting so much time into your response! I haven't fed anything in my garden for weeks, so I guess I'm good. No leaves are turning yellow, yet. It's been pretty warm for this time of September. I will definitely buy a hydrometer and will have to get up ridiculously early on a day off. Labor of love! Man, I hope it doesn't take a year to cure! Are you saying you're waiting for the relative humidity to get to 58-66% in the jar to start enjoying? \nNo not exactly. It depends on the strain, and you should find out on your own through trial and error. There is no such thing as a 'certain percentage' for the curing process. It is so much more than that. Very complicated and to extensive to get in to detail about this right now. Just use your own judgement, smell, feel and lungs I don't have an attic. Just a small apartment. Can I closet cure with the door open, fan on and avoid turning on lights too often? \nYes you can, but measure the humidity I do have access to the basement, but my landlord runs a dehumidifier down there right now. He's totally cool with this, but I wouldn't really want to use the basement. There's a mold issue down there. :/ \nYou better not try to dry or store your harvest in the basement. \nP.S. For extra fun, I've decided to clone this plant. I have another one outside right now, but I'm afraid of wintering it only to find out it's a boy. At least I know this mature plant is good! Loki:"Id dry at 65% not 50% your pushing the enzymes at 50% cure will halt and may not return 62% is bang on tho" \nDrying at 65% is very risky, because you invite molds to form rapidly if you do not have an air purifier in your drying area. 50% you should be safe. Cure will not halt, just go slower. Drying without the buds getting riddled with mold or bad bacteria is more important. 62% might be 'bang on' for some strains, but curing is a strain specific process. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't know what they are talking about. Growing the plant is just 50% of the work involved in the production cycle of Cannabis. The other 50% is drying and curing. Curing is more of a science than numbers and percentages. If you trust your own judgement, you can learn the craft. Trust % and you'll be lost... \nThere is no magical percentage for curing, no magical 'time' and no magical 'method'. It is strain dependent. Not to bash on you Loki, but it is. Btw, nice autoultimate grow bro
Sure its "strain specific" as much as everyone's growing conditions are different. 50% is a pretty low rh % to be recommending to people trying to cure their bud. "Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now." 1000 watt Scrog Journal
You're absolutely right about there being no magical #s when it comes to curing. Besides an individuals preference there is an actual science behind curing. Tobacco companies have this down pat. "Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now." 1000 watt Scrog Journal
I didn't recommend 50% for curing I'd say somewhere between 58-65% depending on the strain and situation 50% was for drying when you don't have acces to an ultra clean drying environment. There are a lot of molds/bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye and won't show on your bud. Doesn't mean they're not there and you won't inhale them Cheers mate!
This is a great example of a friendly argument thread. He not only got his questions answered in amazing detail but he got some opposing opinions and rebuttals all based on experience and facts. I'm learning about curing and this helps a lot. GC rocks
Well all i can say is i trim.my buds then slow dry to 65% over 14 days then i leave it at 65 % for a further 7 days then down to 60 for 1 week then its real nice smoke and taste it lovely thats my prefrence and i love the flavor of each strain ive done auto help page if you need help with autoflowers http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1294434-Need-help-with-autos?-Welcome new vote page sept please vote http://www.dutch-passion.nl/en/photovote/2014-09-03-autoultimate%C2%AE-loki_1752/
SHE agrees! Looking at the plant, I can tell some flowers aren't going to be able to be cut in v-shaped stems. Going to have to do some with another device - like mesh with airflow underneath. Just got my loupe and the trichomes look quite clear. They reflect light well, anyway, though the white leaves are really turning. Again, I have no clue about the strain, so I don't know what's normal for this lady. Buds are kinda small. Lots of popcorn, with a few decent sizes here and there. Just eye-balling, I'm thinking it's going to be at least an ounce, would be surprised if it's two. Wondering if one more feeding at this point is a good idea. Hydrometer on the way! I'm going to have to be very careful about what happens after harvest because humidity is high where I live, even when it's cold. The ocean is about a mile away.
So, my 20 year-old came over today with a couple of friends. One of her friends has done this way more than me, and really seems to know what he's talking about, though he admits he has a lot to learn. Aside from some good information, he gave me validation. I've been looking at the trichomes every day for a while. To me, they look clear, even as the flowers change dramatically and so, I figure it's still not ready. He looked and said I was exactly right. This plant is probably a matter of days away from harvest. It's like they look like they want to turn milky - most of them are not reflecting light like two weeks ago - but they're not cloudy yet. And zero amber. Meanwhile, it's been raining a lot. So now it's a matter of the drying. I picked a cool, dry area of the house to test. When it doesn't rain, I get humidity in the 50's. After rain, I'm see 70's. This plant is going to come down pretty moist and I'm not sure what I can do to combat the humidity without a dehumidifier, except a portable space heater? Or my best bet, probably, is to make this work in a room in which I really don't want to have to use for this purpose - the only room with an air conditioner which can be used as a dehumidifier. Obviously, I'm worried about mold. Luckily, there are no signs of it now, even after all our rain! I'm hoping that if I have the time I need to harvest and fully trim all at once, it will help with the drying. I'm also kinda wondering if I can trim the fan leaves with an estimated harvest day of 5 days later. This guy says they probably should have come down already. But he also says not to worry if I don't do it 'til harvest. There's some good stuff out there and that's what counts. Maybe next year I'll do even better.
Just wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. I was pretty stressed and lacking confidence. Eventually, I just decided to chill about it and use some common sense. The results are awesome. I can't believe this quality stash came from my garden. Hope everyone's enjoying the season!