Drying & Curing
Part of the free Stevie Weedseed grow guide. No paywall, no account, written by a working grower.
Why This Step Matters
Drying and curing can make or break your harvest. Perfectly grown cannabis with a bad cure tastes harsh and loses potency. Average cannabis with a great cure can taste incredible.
This step preserves terpenes (flavor and aroma), breaks down chlorophyll (removes the "green" taste), and matures cannabinoids.
This step preserves terpenes (flavor and aroma), breaks down chlorophyll (removes the "green" taste), and matures cannabinoids.
Drying
Conditions: 60-70°F, 50-60% humidity, complete darkness.
Method: Hang branches or place trimmed buds on drying racks. Gentle airflow in the room, but never blow fans directly onto buds.
Duration: 7-14 days. Slower is better. Never dry faster than 7 days.
Drying too fast (high heat, low humidity, direct fan) destroys terpenes and produces harsh smoke. This is where most homegrown quality is lost.
Method: Hang branches or place trimmed buds on drying racks. Gentle airflow in the room, but never blow fans directly onto buds.
Duration: 7-14 days. Slower is better. Never dry faster than 7 days.
Drying too fast (high heat, low humidity, direct fan) destroys terpenes and produces harsh smoke. This is where most homegrown quality is lost.
When Buds Are Ready to Cure
The stem snap test: Bend a small stem. If it bends, it is still too wet. If it snaps, it is ready for jars.
Buds should feel dry on the outside but still slightly soft inside. The moisture from the center will redistribute during curing.
Buds should feel dry on the outside but still slightly soft inside. The moisture from the center will redistribute during curing.
Curing
Place dried buds in glass mason jars, filled 70-80% full (leave air space).
Store in a cool, dark place.
Burping schedule:
Week 1: Open jars 1-2 times daily for 5-10 minutes.
Week 2-3: Open every 2-3 days.
After week 3: Open once a week or less.
Minimum cure: 2 weeks.
Good cure: 4 weeks.
Great cure: 6-8 weeks.
Some growers cure for 3+ months for maximum flavor development.
Store in a cool, dark place.
Burping schedule:
Week 1: Open jars 1-2 times daily for 5-10 minutes.
Week 2-3: Open every 2-3 days.
After week 3: Open once a week or less.
Minimum cure: 2 weeks.
Good cure: 4 weeks.
Great cure: 6-8 weeks.
Some growers cure for 3+ months for maximum flavor development.
Long-Term Storage
Properly cured cannabis stays potent for months or years in the right conditions.
Store in: Glass jars, cool temperatures, complete darkness, an airtight seal.
Avoid: Heat, direct sunlight, plastic bags (static strips trichomes), excess moisture.
Boveda 62% humidity packs maintain perfect moisture levels for long-term storage.
Store in: Glass jars, cool temperatures, complete darkness, an airtight seal.
Avoid: Heat, direct sunlight, plastic bags (static strips trichomes), excess moisture.
Boveda 62% humidity packs maintain perfect moisture levels for long-term storage.