Drying, curing and storing: how to get the best quality from your harvest
The harvest is in, but the job isn’t finished yet. How you dry, cure and store your flowers has a huge influence on their flavour, aroma and overall quality. This guide walks you through each step.
The drying stage
After harvest, dry your flowers slowly for around 7–14 days. These conditions have proven themselves:
- Temperature: around 18–21 °C
- Humidity: around 55–60% RH
- Darkness: keep light out – light and heat break down aromas and essential oils
- Air circulation: gentle, indirect air movement; never point a fan directly at the flowers
Hang branches upside down or lay trimmed flowers loosely on a drying net. A thermo-hygrometer shows you at a glance whether temperature and humidity in your drying space are on target.
When is drying finished?
Small stems should snap with an audible crack instead of bending. The outside of the flowers feels dry, while the inside still holds a little residual moisture. That is the right moment to move on to curing.
Curing: the finishing touch
After drying, the flowers go into airtight glass jars for curing. Fill the jars loosely to about three quarters so there is still some air around the flowers.
- Weeks 1–2: open the jars once a day for 10–15 minutes (burping)
- Weeks 3–4: burp every 2–3 days
- After that: open the jars now and then to check the moisture level
A small hygrometer in the jar makes curing much easier: if the reading climbs well above 65% RH, leave the lid off for longer or let the flowers dry outside the jar for a few hours. A smell of ammonia or hay is a clear sign that the flowers are still too moist.
Why curing is so important
During curing, chlorophyll and other unwanted compounds slowly break down, while terpenes and essential oils are largely preserved. The result: better flavour and a more intense aroma.
Storing your harvest properly
- Airtight containers: protect against oxygen and moisture
- A dark, cool place: UV light and heat break down essential oils and terpenes
- Stable humidity: around 58–62% RH keeps the texture right
Common mistakes to avoid
- Drying too quickly at too high a temperature
- Jarring too early with too much residual moisture (risk of mould)
- Storage containers that aren’t airtight and let the aroma escape
- Skipping the hygrometer and guessing the moisture level
Conclusion
Patience while drying and curing pays off in flavour and quality. At GrowDealz you’ll find everything you need for post-harvest in our post-processing and drying collections – including Cannatrol systems if you want a fully controlled drying and curing process.
