DrZiggy's Low And Slow Drying: Maximizing Your Harvest

SweetSue said:
WooHoo Mike! :high-five: And yes, sticky HB buds are to be expected. Lol! What did you think of the appearance? The smells won't return the way you hope until the cure gets underway, but the effects can be noted as soon as you jar it up IMO.

Boveda packs are a godsend. Just sayin'.

And thanks for sharing the curing process. That'll come in real handy, and it's nice to have it passed on by a canna professional. I think I'll add that to my written files.

When I move into my apartment I'll be purchasing a small fridge so I don't have the smell of cannabis hanging around in my foodstuffs. Lol! Can't be stealthy when the entire fridge smells of drying buds.
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Thank's Sue. Today is the third day in the jars. Smells are already coming back! Regarding appearance: colors are deeper, more "real" if you will. I have some drying (hanging) in a closet and they look dull in comparison.

A slight correction from my previous post. The humid was in the low 60s and then within a couple of days at the end dropped to 58%, not 63% as I stated. Senior moment

I did another rh% test today in one of the jars, which was at 67%. It’s only been three days in the jar so I’m not concerned, but I am thinking going forward I might leave them in the refrigerator until the humidity remains at or below 60% for a few days. I’m surmising that the Rh of the buds in the bags are a few % points higher than the surrounding air. Has anyone tested this theory?

Food for thought when looking for a mini fridge. Mine is a Magic Chef 4.3 cu ft.. it has a full width freezer; four shelves (came with three glass, I made one out of stiff cardboard); a full width crisper drawer; three small shelves and three double soda can holders in the door. I was able to place 21 lunch bags in this refrigerator, with a little over 800grams of (wet) buds. The bags in the door are upright, so they only have 2 or 3 buds in them so they’re not lying on top of each other..

My next project it to find/fabricate some wire shelves, which allow better airflow around the entire bag.
 
medmanmike said:
Thank's Sue. Today is the third day in the jars. Smells are already coming back! Regarding appearance: colors are deeper, more "real" if you will. I have some drying (hanging) in a closet and they look dull in comparison.

A slight correction from my previous post. The humid was in the low 60s and then within a couple of days at the end dropped to 58%, not 63% as I stated. Senior moment

I did another rh% test today in one of the jars, which was at 67%. It’s only been three days in the jar so I’m not concerned, but I am thinking going forward I might leave them in the refrigerator until the humidity remains at or below 60% for a few days. I’m surmising that the Rh of the buds in the bags are a few % points higher than the surrounding air. Has anyone tested this theory?

Food for thought when looking for a mini fridge. Mine is a Magic Chef 4.3 cu ft.. it has a full width freezer; four shelves (came with three glass, I made one out of stiff cardboard); a full width crisper drawer; three small shelves and three double soda can holders in the door. I was able to place 21 lunch bags in this refrigerator, with a little over 800grams of (wet) buds. The bags in the door are upright, so they only have 2 or 3 buds in them so they’re not lying on top of each other..

My next project it to find/fabricate some wire shelves, which allow better airflow around the entire bag.
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Oooo.... Lots to get excited about there Mike. :hugs: I share your theory about the buds holding more humidity, and your decision to leave them in to 60% is probably gonna work out beautifully. I know you'll keep us up to date on it.

Magic Chef 4.3cuft...... Noted.

Neat how they come out looking freshly-harvested, isn't it? You get spoiled by that. Lol! When you test some you may taste new expressions.
 
Visiting at the home of beez0404 I got the opportunity to document another member’s low and slo buds. :yahoo: He had them out to sort out the smaller buds from the larger.

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

  • Media owner SweetSue
  • Date added
Sorting pile by beez0404

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

  • Media owner SweetSue
  • Date added
Sorting pile by beez0404

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

  • Media owner SweetSue
  • Date added
Beautiful bud by beez0404

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

Blueberry, day 13 of low and slo

  • Media owner SweetSue
  • Date added
Beautiful bud by beez0404

It’s satisfying to see so many members benefitting from this method. :circle-of-love:
 
Now I believe you about cutting your hand trimming!
 
InTheShed said:
Now I believe you about cutting your hand trimming!
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Not one of my shining moments Shed. Cannabis oil to the rescue! It hasn’t hurt since yesterday morning. I love the way the body heals with the help of cannabinoids. :slide:
 
To all, I want to share a “failure” I had with the Lo n Slo method.

I harvested a Bubba Hash plant a few weeks ago with some of the biggest, hardest buds I’ve grown. I washed them per Doc’s method and hung them for a few hours to air dry.

When I bagged them for the refrigerator, I took extra care to only put 2 or 3 of the larger buds (not a “cola”, about the size of a lemon) in each bag. (I fold over the top and paperclip the bag.) Temp in the refrigerator was generally in the 44-46° range. Around day 14 I lowered it to the 40-43° range. Humid started out in the upper 70°s low 80°s. I inspected the buds every 3rd day, rotating them, etc. At the 21 day mark, humid. was 58-60° so I jarred them. Here is where my mistake occurred.

I put a hygrometer in a jar and 24 hrs later the rh was in the low 80°s. I should have removed them to dry further but felt I could bring the rh down by burping the jars more often and for longer periods of time.

Bottom line, it didn’t work and they molded.

It was one of those “should have known bettter” moments. I share this with the hope it might help others.

From what I’ve read in this blog, people typically leave the bags in for 2-3 weeks. Are some of you going longer than this?

I’m wondering if it’s associated with my refrigerator. The freezer doesn’t freeze real well and there will often be drops of water on the top shelf bags. This diminished at the lower temp, which I’ll remember for the next time.

I have been successful with the L/S method and will use it again. Pretty frustrating though losing over 2 oz of premium bud.
 
Part of the low and slow method is taking the buds out and sticking them in a jar with a hygrometer. I think an hour or two would be sufficient to get a good reading. Depending on your ambient RH, if it's over 65-70% they go back in the fridge. If I saw 80% I'd freak out!
 
medmanmike said:
To all, I want to share a “failure” I had with the Lo n Slo method.

I harvested a Bubba Hash plant a few weeks ago with some of the biggest, hardest buds I’ve grown. I washed them per Doc’s method and hung them for a few hours to air dry.

When I bagged them for the refrigerator, I took extra care to only put 2 or 3 of the larger buds (not a “cola”, about the size of a lemon) in each bag. (I fold over the top and paperclip the bag.) Temp in the refrigerator was generally in the 44-46° range. Around day 14 I lowered it to the 40-43° range. Humid started out in the upper 70°s low 80°s. I inspected the buds every 3rd day, rotating them, etc. At the 21 day mark, humid. was 58-60° so I jarred them. Here is where my mistake occurred.

I put a hygrometer in a jar and 24 hrs later the rh was in the low 80°s. I should have removed them to dry further but felt I could bring the rh down by burping the jars more often and for longer periods of time.

Bottom line, it didn’t work and they molded.

It was one of those “should have known bettter” moments. I share this with the hope it might help others.

From what I’ve read in this blog, people typically leave the bags in for 2-3 weeks. Are some of you going longer than this?

I’m wondering if it’s associated with my refrigerator. The freezer doesn’t freeze real well and there will often be drops of water on the top shelf bags. This diminished at the lower temp, which I’ll remember for the next time.

I have been successful with the L/S method and will use it again. Pretty frustrating though losing over 2 oz of premium bud.
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That's almost bad as tossing a whole finished plant due to mold or a cured cob. You won't make that mistake again...
:passitleft:
 
medmanmike said:
To all, I want to share a “failure” I had with the Lo n Slo method.

I harvested a Bubba Hash plant a few weeks ago with some of the biggest, hardest buds I’ve grown. I washed them per Doc’s method and hung them for a few hours to air dry.

When I bagged them for the refrigerator, I took extra care to only put 2 or 3 of the larger buds (not a “cola”, about the size of a lemon) in each bag. (I fold over the top and paperclip the bag.) Temp in the refrigerator was generally in the 44-46° range. Around day 14 I lowered it to the 40-43° range. Humid started out in the upper 70°s low 80°s. I inspected the buds every 3rd day, rotating them, etc. At the 21 day mark, humid. was 58-60° so I jarred them. Here is where my mistake occurred.

I put a hygrometer in a jar and 24 hrs later the rh was in the low 80°s. I should have removed them to dry further but felt I could bring the rh down by burping the jars more often and for longer periods of time.

Bottom line, it didn’t work and they molded.

It was one of those “should have known bettter” moments. I share this with the hope it might help others.

From what I’ve read in this blog, people typically leave the bags in for 2-3 weeks. Are some of you going longer than this?

I’m wondering if it’s associated with my refrigerator. The freezer doesn’t freeze real well and there will often be drops of water on the top shelf bags. This diminished at the lower temp, which I’ll remember for the next time.

I have been successful with the L/S method and will use it again. Pretty frustrating though losing over 2 oz of premium bud.
Click to expand...

It pains me to hear of moldy buds Mike. :hugs: My policy has been to check with a hygrometer, and if I’m not finishing with rice they stay in the fridge until I get something close to 65%. Big, dense buds normally get cut down in my world to a consistent bud size. I don’t have to be concerned with bag appeal.

I understand the desire to have a big, honkin’ bud though. :battingeyelashes:

Mr. Magoo said:
Yes....I do think some are using the low and super slo method. Lol
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BrixNewb recently had some dense Blueberry that probably would’ve taken 3-4 weeks to dry completely had he not decided to finish in the drying tent. It was a batch we had to accept was too big for his fridge space.

Dense buds take longer. That’s why I chop them down.
 
SweetSue said:
It pains me to hear of moldy buds Mike. :hugs: My policy has been to check with a hygrometer, and if I’m not finishing with rice they stay in the fridge until I get something close to 65%. Big, dense buds normally get cut down in my world to a consistent bud size. I don’t have to be concerned with bag appeal.

I understand the desire to have a big, honkin’ bud though. :battingeyelashes:



BrixNewb recently had some dense Blueberry that probably would’ve taken 3-4 weeks to dry completely had he not decided to finish in the drying tent. It was a batch we had to accept was too big for his fridge space.

Dense buds take longer. That’s why I chop them down.
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I like the rice balls after they have had 2-3 weeks in the fridge. They seem to knock the humidity right down to where we want it.
 
Mr. Magoo said:
I like the rice balls after they have had 2-3 weeks in the fridge. They seem to knock the humidity right down to where we want it.
Click to expand...

I typically go two weeks in the bags and then straight to the jar with a rice ball. I get them jarred up within a day and they stay nice and stable with Bovedas.
 
kelticBlue said:
MMM, is it an old frost free refrig? cause mine is getting old as well. I am going to watch it double close now. thank you for sharing....:peace:

i dont like the sound of water drops on the top shelf bag. i use the crisper draw on the bottom for my paper bags of nugs.
i have harvest in~ 3 months....:yummy:
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Actually no - it’s brand new. It’s a mini, one large compartment with a small freezer, with a “swing” freezer door that doesn’t latch and an open back. It does frost up, but not much. I think part of the problem with these types of units is that when you place new moisture laden items in it the moisture overwhelms the freezer.
 
kelticBlue said:
I bet you are right. There is a moist spike when you first get going. I bet it cannot keep up at first, just no where for the excess moisture to go
Click to expand...

Might tossing some rice balls in there for the first day or two help?
 
Wow!!! I’m soooo happy I stumbled upon this thread. Tons of info and ideas to ponder....still so much to be read and learned. Thankfully I’m 6 weeks into flower with about 6 left to plan and tweak.

So, apologies first if I ask a question that is answered in the upcoming posts...I’m only up to post #218, however getting some info may make the posts clearer.

- Bananas. There was talk of putting bananas in the tent mid flower. Since I’m at 6 weeks it’s perfect timing. Question, how many bananas are necessary to make it worthwhile? My grow area is only 2x4x5.

- Fridge. I have the old spare fridge in the basement. It’s all cleaned and disinfected. Turned it on but the temp only reaches 46 before the fridge shuts off. I have a Johnson control thermometer once used for home brew back in the drinking days, maybe that will work better.

Had a thought late last night and it worked...the fridge is just wide enough to perfectly fit my home window screens.

- when the bud is put into the fridge how strong is the smell if the fridge door isn’t opened?

I’ll finish reading the posts to see if the final concensus is bag or screen. I’m really hoping the fridge works because I totally messed up the last dry.
 

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