DrZiggy's Low And Slow Drying: Maximizing Your Harvest

[Furcifer]

Just a quick update.
Hope holidays were pleasant.

Initial post on 29 Jun, #337.

The buds shown were introduced. Poolside BBQ style on the 4th.
Notable comments I'd like to share.
"Dude who in #redacted# has shit this good?" " Wow!, fn nice you don't have to cough to get off!" " I can't believe weed actually taste different!!!
The only complicated part. Was trying to explain (lie) to everyone were thay could get some.
The perks of living in a shackled country.
Bragging rights. And, the opportunity to help more people achieve quality medicine. Are being stifled.
Ok, CURRENT CURE in process.
LOW and SLOW.
Harvested on 19/20 Jun.
Burp on 29 Jun. Post #337
2nd Burp 7 July.
At this stage moisture content is still in high 90% range.
Outside of bud will start to feel drier.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP OF THE PROCESS.
Room temperature 68deg to 72deg F. Humidity below 62%

All jars are removed from refrigerator.

I remove all buds and place on a drying screen. ( up to an HOUR)

Jars are placed in front of a fan.
To dry condensation. And, bring jars to room temp.
I wipe Jars, Ring Lids, and Screens with isopropyl alcohol.

Every nugget is inspected and replaced in jars.
(Suggestion is to reduce all buds to individual nuggets).
(If like myself. And need to have those signature buds).
Pry the nuggets apart on the stem. (To allow air flow) Without removing them from the stalk. Allow to sit on the screen a little longer than individual ones. (Jar them last).

Replace jars in refrigerator.

Left BUD is L/S in frig.
Right cluster of nuggets. Are bottom half of left. Curring in a Slow Traditional way.

. . .

And those wonderful little hygro meters.
Purchase by the dozen. Less than $10.
70% end up being good.

Deville....LOVE THAT CAVE IDEA!!!
Hope things work out for you.

And a grand KUDOS to everyone that is here. Willing to give this type of technique a try.
Have fun, experiment, reward yourself.

"GROW WITH PATIENCE........CURE WITH PATIENCE "

.

 

[SweetSue]

Just a quick update.
Hope holidays were pleasant.

Initial post on 29 Jun, #337.

The buds shown were introduced. Poolside BBQ style on the 4th.
Notable comments I'd like to share.
"Dude who in #redacted# has shit this good?" " Wow!, fn nice you don't have to cough to get off!" " I can't believe weed actually taste different!!!
The only complicated part. Was trying to explain (lie) to everyone were thay could get some.
The perks of living in a shackled country.
Bragging rights. And, the opportunity to help more people achieve quality medicine. Are being stifled.
Ok, CURRENT CURE in process.
LOW and SLOW.
Harvested on 19/20 Jun.
Burp on 29 Jun. Post #337
2nd Burp 7 July.
At this stage moisture content is still in high 90% range.
Outside of bud will start to feel drier.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP OF THE PROCESS.
Room temperature 68deg to 72deg F. Humidity below 62%

All jars are removed from refrigerator.

I remove all buds and place on a drying screen. ( up to an HOUR)

Jars are placed in front of a fan.
To dry condensation. And, bring jars to room temp.
I wipe Jars, Ring Lids, and Screens with isopropyl alcohol.

Every nugget is inspected and replaced in jars.
(Suggestion is to reduce all buds to individual nuggets).
(If like myself. And need to have those signature buds).
Pry the nuggets apart on the stem. (To allow air flow) Without removing them from the stalk. Allow to sit on the screen a little longer than individual ones. (Jar them last).

Replace jars in refrigerator.

Left BUD is L/S in frig.
Right cluster of nuggets. Are bottom half of left. Curring in a Slow Traditional way.

. . .

And those wonderful little hygro meters.
Purchase by the dozen. Less than $10.
70% end up being good.

Deville....LOVE THAT CAVE IDEA!!!
Hope things work out for you.

And a grand KUDOS to everyone that is here. Willing to give this type of technique a try.
Have fun, experiment, reward yourself.

"GROW WITH PATIENCE........CURE WITH PATIENCE "

.

Having smoked my own low and slo produce I'm certain the comments were full of surprise. Lol! Isn't it nice to be able to brag loudly here? I personally think that pressure release is one of the best features of the site. We need to show them off.

When you set the jars in front of the fan to reduce condensation, I'm assuming lids off?

And why didn't it occur to me to wipe everything down with ISO? Great idea. Keeps everything squeaky clean. Prying the buds away from the stem too, should have considered that one already. This is what's so valuable about brainstorming and sharing.

I have one coming down tomorrow morning. She's screaming at me to get it done. Lol!

Most of her will be dried and cured properly, or at least as much as I can stay away from. I have patient needs, but I'm willing to stall them as long as possible and simply keep them on capsules for the most part. Carnival is the most popular of my charges, so it'll be a tight timeline.

 

[Furcifer]

Beautiful flowers.
Have fun with the harvest.
By the way.... went through around 5oz. Before anything was IMO ready for meds. Lol

 

[Ugwad]

Hi All. I just have a couple of dumb questions.

I wanted to be clear, that generally speaking for low and slow, the only reason the flowers are hung to dry for 4 hours or so, is to remove excess water from giving them a bath? In other words, if they didn't require a bath, they would go straight into the jars/paper bags and into the fridge, without any room temp drying?

The other question is really for Furcifer, as it was something he wrote. When he describes bathing the flowers he says, "...Rinse in plain water
2 tubs....no more than 3 to 5 seconds of vigorous shaking in each tub. Shake, spin, shake, spin, hang."

What does he mean by spin? To shake off the water? At first I thought, maybe he meant in a salad spinner?

Thanks!

 

[SweetSue]

Hi All. I just have a couple of dumb questions.

I wanted to be clear, that generally speaking for low and slow, the only reason the flowers are hung to dry for 4 hours or so, is to remove excess water from giving them a bath? In other words, if they didn't require a bath, they would go straight into the jars/paper bags and into the fridge, without any room temp drying?

The other question is really for Furcifer, as it was something he wrote. When he describes bathing the flowers he says, "...Rinse in plain water
2 tubs....no more than 3 to 5 seconds of vigorous shaking in each tub. Shake, spin, shake, spin, hang."

What does he mean by spin? To shake off the water? At first I thought, maybe he meant in a salad spinner?

Thanks!

If you don't wash your buds there's no reason to do other than get them in the fridge.

As to the spin, I can answer that as well. When you wash, the buds are still on the branches. You can then spin the branch between your palms to throw off any excess water drops.

For some crazy reason this never even occurred to me. Good grief woman, wake up! I'll make it a standard part of the process from now on.

 

[TorturedSoul]

How to Microdose Cannabis for Better Sex

That looked good at first glance. But I have trouble accepting advice about (or related to) cannabis from someone who appears to be pretty ignorant on the subject, and Ashley...

Parents or caregivers who cannot commit the time to "being high" in case of interruptions

...doesn't appear to understand that one does not have to sit there doing nothing until the effect of the cannabis wears off. If that was the case, there'd be a LOT less cannabis consumption in the world (or civilization would regularly grind to a halt while everyone chilled for an hour or three).

Anyone who is prone to anxiety (which THC can cause or exacerbate at higher doses)

causes them to zone out or experience couch lock.

She also does not appear to understand that there are sativas and indicas - and that, in many ways, they can almost be considered to be polar opposites. But that makes a person suffer anxiety is probably not going to pour them into a puddle on their couch, and vice versa.

IOW, I'm going to have to (mentally) file that one under "Suggestions About the Use of Cannabis, By Someone Who is NOT an Expert in the Use of Cannabis," lol. Which is not to say that the advice isn't valid - it just means I'd take it with a grain of salt.

If someone doesn't know much about cannabis, they should get some experience, read a book (or a single FAQ thread on a cannabis-related forum :rolleyes3 ), et cetera before giving advice on the subject. OtOH, if she knows the difference between sativas & sativa-dominant hybrids and indicas & indica-dominant hybrids, but willfully failed to make the distinction in an article that reads as if it was meant to be consumed even by those who have little or no cannabis experience of their own, I'd call that negligence - and that's not a quality I'd look for in a doctor that's discussing what is, after all, a health-related subject.

I love seeing cannabis late in flower that doesn't necessarily look like it is bordering on nitrogen toxicity. Seems like people want to keep force-feeding N. IDK, maybe they panic when they begin to see the natural lightening/yellowing/dropping of the leaves, and fear it to be a sign of poor plant health. To me, seeing some yellowing is a sign OF health (at that stage of the game).

 

[SweetSue]

Beautiful flowers.
Have fun with the harvest.
By the way.... went through around 5oz. Before anything was IMO ready for meds. Lol

Now that's a scary thought Furcifer. Before I panic, what's your consumption rate? Lol!

I have patients that will probably dig into part of this harvest before it's completely done, but I'm gonna do my best to start doing at least a portion of each harvest all the way through the cure. Most of my harvests become infused oils, but the patients all like having something special to augment the capsules. Old stoners like the smoke. Even the daughter prefers something to vape for breakthrough anxiety.

When I started growing I thought I'd be a recreational grower. I wasn't even thinking about medicinal cannabis when I began my journey here. How times have changed. Somewhere along the line I'll get far enough ahead that all harvests will have the months available to dry and cure nice and slow. Little steps.

 

[KingJoe83]

I just feel myself that when I'm medicated I get more of a flow going last longer and rythem is tight!

Also I've noticed that my wife if she smokes she is more relaxed in her body therefore I fee like she is more open and body is more relaxed so it would simulate her senses . As she is not a regular smoker of the plant. Blue moon . Anyways, I guess it depends o know character bmi and tolerance to plant. I guess it is whatever works right? Lol

 

[KingJoe83]

Now that's a scary thought Furcifer. Before I panic, what's your consumption rate? Lol!

I have patients that will probably dig into part of this harvest before it's completely done, but I'm gonna do my best to start doing at least a portion of each harvest all the way through the cure. Most of my harvests become infused oils, but the patients all like having something special to augment the capsules. Old stoners like the smoke. Even the daughter prefers something to vape for breakthrough anxiety.

When I started growing I thought I'd be a recreational grower. I wasn't even thinking about medicinal cannabis when I began my journey here. How times have changed. Somewhere along the line I'll get far enough ahead that all harvests will have the months available to dry and cure nice and slow. Little steps.

Need to find a way to make oil easily without blowing up house. Any good links sue?

 

[SweetSue]

I just feel myself that when I'm medicated I get more of a flow going last longer and rythem is tight!

Also I've noticed that my wife if she smokes she is more relaxed in her body therefore I fee like she is more open and body is more relaxed so it would simulate her senses . As she is not a regular smoker of the plant. Blue moon . Anyways, I guess it depends o know character bmi and tolerance to plant. I guess it is whatever works right? Lol

Joe, have you tried an infused oil of a strain with an even ratio of THC and CBD? This gets reviewed as the most consistent way to get relief from chronic pain, which becomes its own disease. We've been improperly trained to believe the higher the THC the better, and that's not the way it's playing out in clinical work.

A balanced infused oil can be dosed in capsule form, giving you a deeper level of relief and a wider therapeutic window of relief. Make that oil with a fresh harvest and you potentiate the medicinal value to something that will surprise you in its effectiveness.

A capsule regimen might be a good thing for your wife as well. The doses can be controlled to limit euphoria, if necessary, or the capsules can be used as suppositories, a method that's proving to be effective with chronic back pain, among other applications.

I find it difficult to stand quietly by when I know someone is hurting.

 

[TorturedSoul]

I have patients that will probably dig into part of this harvest before it's completely done, but I'm gonna do my best to start doing at least a portion of each harvest all the way through the cure. Most of my harvests become infused oils, but the patients all like having something special to augment the capsules. Old stoners like the smoke. Even the daughter prefers something to vape for breakthrough anxiety.

When I started growing I thought I'd be a recreational grower. I wasn't even thinking about medicinal cannabis when I began my journey here. How times have changed.

Looks like I need to throw some clothes into my duffel and start hitchhiking towards your neck of the woods so I can put my John Henry on your patient list . Either that or quit screwing off and get with the program. A very good friend donated some auto-flowering strains last year, and I managed to grow three of those out whilst subjecting my other plants to an eternal vegetative cycle, but I gave the yield from those away. I did keep enough for two fine bowls, one of which I put to great use walking through a local patch of woods, and the other one caused me to talk to my cat. Well... To feel less idiotic when I did, lol; I have been known to talk to her anyway, regardless - or, perhaps because of - my mental state.)

Did I ever mention that a sativa, assuming that it wasn't harvested prematurely, can often help my occasional anxiety attacks? That seems to surprise some. I attribute it to the fact that I'm officially a member of the Big Head from Way Back club. But I suppose it could be because, well... I have issues .

Not up to going outside today, so I'm rambling again...

 

[KingJoe83]

Joe, have you tried an infused oil of a strain with an even ratio of THC and CBD? This gets reviewed as the most consistent way to get relief from chronic pain, which becomes its own disease. We've been improperly trained to believe the higher the THC the better, and that's not the way it's playing out in clinical work.

A balanced infused oil can be dosed in capsule form, giving you a deeper level of relief and a wider therapeutic window of relief. Make that oil with a fresh harvest and you potentiate the medicinal value to something that will surprise you in its effectiveness.

A capsule regimen might be a good thing for your wife as well. The doses can be controlled to limit euphoria, if necessary, or the capsules can be used as suppositories, a method that's proving to be effective with chronic back pain, among other applications.

I find it difficult to stand quietly by when I know someone is hurting.

No I truly would love to find something I also plan on working out in winter with boss as belly fat getting too big. I had a tough life for self esteem and confidence knocked down my whole life. Depression let to this chronic pain. I have DDD. And honking arthritis in neck or something these days. Not fun takes my energy out of me. Keeps me indoors from social events sucks the life out of you. Any pointers on how to make a simply balanced oil or a plant easy to grow for beginners you would recommend so I can purchase and out in floors room for fall indoor journal? Thank yo sue....

 

[SweetSue]

Thanks for that article Oldbear. It's been too many years for me, and we didn't practice microdosing. Lol! When I get a sex life again I'll see what a single hit will do. Something tells me 2.5 mg won't make much of a dent in my armor.

I understand the reasoning and science behind micro dosing. I personally prefer to be rediculously high as often as possible.

 

[Ugwad]

If you don't wash your buds there's no reason to do other than get them in the fridge.

As to the spin, I can answer that as well. When you wash, the buds are still on the branches. You can then spin the branch between your palms to throw off any excess water drops.

For some crazy reason this never even occurred to me. Good grief woman, wake up! I'll make it a standard part of the process from now on.

Ahh, that makes sense!

Having now washed my flowers for the first time, I think the old salad spinner would work quite well. I'll try that next time, as I was surprised how wet the buds still were when I was hanging them.

After reading all the great info from everyone, I was planning on proceeding with the following variations. I'm going to cover the opening of my jars with a paper towel, also place paper towel in the jar with the flowers. I suppose I could just use a paper bag, but I sterilized my jars and don't have any mesh or nylon around.

Additionally, I'm going to proceed without digital humidity checks. Rather, I'll just follow the general times provided and go by how the flowers feel and signs of condensation to guide me as I'm transitioning out of the fridge. Unless you think I'm making a big mistake, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks to everyone for the great info!

 

[kelticBlue]

Old stoners like the smoke.

oh, I see you have met my wife then. That is her for sure, combustion lady.

 

[KingJoe83]

Ahh, that makes sense!

Having now washed my flowers for the first time, I think the old salad spinner would work quite well. I'll try that next time, as I was surprised how wet the buds still were when I was hanging them.

After reading all the great info from everyone, I was planning on proceeding with the following variations. I'm going to cover the opening of my jars with a paper towel, also place paper towel in the jar with the flowers. I suppose I could just use a paper bag, but I sterilized my jars and don't have any mesh or nylon around.

Additionally, I'm going to proceed without digital humidity checks. Rather, I'll just follow the general times provided and go by how the flowers feel and signs of condensation to guide me as I'm transitioning out of the fridge. Unless you think I'm making a big mistake, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks to everyone for the great info!

Thanks for sharing sir.

 

[Furcifer]

If you don't wash your buds there's no reason to do other than get them in the fridge.

As to the spin, I can answer that as well. When you wash, the buds are still on the branches. You can then spin the branch between your palms to throw off any excess water drops.

For some crazy reason this never even occurred to me. Good grief woman, wake up! I'll make it a standard part of the process from now on.

. .

 

[Furcifer]

Now that's a scary thought Furcifer. Before I panic, what's your consumption rate? Lol!

I have patients that will probably dig into part of this harvest before it's completely done, but I'm gonna do my best to start doing at least a portion of each harvest all the way through the cure. Most of my harvests become infused oils, but the patients all like having something special to augment the capsules. Old stoners like the smoke. Even the daughter prefers something to vape for breakthrough anxiety.

When I started growing I thought I'd be a recreational grower. I wasn't even thinking about medicinal cannabis when I began my journey here. How times have changed. Somewhere along the line I'll get far enough ahead that all harvests will have the months available to dry and cure nice and slow. Little steps.

In short. Was a outdoors grower. 3 year drought. Health issues. ECT.
From scratch building and experimenting indoor growing pains and accomplishments. In less than 8 months. Produced 2 lbs (+) of quality BUD.
5 people depend on my ability to produce meds.
Once we stopped purchasing cannabis.
5 oz of traditional cure utilized Before a Low and Slow was ready.
Now I am ahead of the requirements for meds. I will start specific strains for precision medical use.

Didn't mean to alarm you.lol .

 

[SweetSue]

Need to find a way to make oil easily without blowing up house. Any good links sue?

Certainly. You're talking about CCO? Concentrated Cannabis Oil? If you purchase a water distiller you can use it for the early stage of evaporating the ethanol off. If you have a vent fan over your stove this is a good place to work, so any fumes you do have will be sucked to the outdoors.

But you won't have the intense fumes you'd have without the distiller. Working thoughtfully and carefully you can safely reclaim up to 80% of the solvent, and remove a significant amount of the fumes. Then you carefully evaporate the rest off and finish the decarb with a smaller container and an oil bath.

Did that help Joe? I've pretty much replaced CCO with the Fresh Harvest Infused Oil, which won't have any risk of explosion. I believe it may rival CCO, and at this point the only reason I'd work with ethanol again is if cancer became one of the regimens I was overseeing. The cancer patient I do work with uses the FHO and he's very pleased with it, but he's not trying to cure the disease. At least not yet.

 

[KingJoe83]

Certainly. You're talking about CCO? Concentrated Cannabis Oil? If you purchase a water distiller you can use it for the early stage of evaporating the ethanol off. If you have a vent fan over your stove this is a good place to work, so any fumes you do have will be sucked to the outdoors.

But you won't have the intense fumes you'd have without the distiller. Working thoughtfully and carefully you can safely reclaim up to 80% of the solvent, and remove a significant amount of the fumes. Then you carefully evaporate the rest off and finish the decarb with a smaller container and an oil bath.

Did that help Joe? I've pretty much replaced CCO with the Fresh Harvest Infused Oil, which won't have any risk of explosion. I believe it may rival CCO, and at this point the only reason I'd work with ethanol again is if cancer became one of the regimens I was overseeing. The cancer patient I do work with uses the FHO and he's very pleased with it, but he's not trying to cure the disease. At least not yet.

It is just need a for dummy step by step thing lol like a recipe lol .. I'm slow not stupid they say lol thanks sue hope your having a wonderful evening. Again thank you for your time.