The two most common reasons weed gets dry beyond its optimal point are overdrying after harvest and inadequate storage. Cannabis dries from the outside in.
Signs of Over-Drying Cannabis
There are a few signs that your cannabis buds are becoming too dry, such as: They start to crumble: When you touch the buds, they shouldn't be sticky, but they should still be slightly firm. They're brittle: When you break the buds, they should break easily and not be sticky.
The ideal drying room must be dark, as light can damage the THC in your buds. While it does not hurt to have a light source inside to check on the progress of your buds, you should keep it off most of the time, and block all other passages of light that can enter the room.
When Do I Know My Buds Are Properly Dried And Ready To Cure? There's a simple test to know if your buds are dry: Simply take a small branch and try to bend it. If it snaps, your buds are dry and you're ready to move on to the curing process. If they bend, your buds need a little longer to dry.
Loose, sponge-like flowers can be highly disappointing. Caused by a combination of poor genetics, inadequate nutrients, swings in temperature/humidity, insufficient lighting, and stress, loose buds are hardly worth harvesting. Soft, fluffy flowers can also be deceiving.
Because bud formation starts after 7 hours of dark period, it is also wise to always maintain a minimum day length of 17 to 18 hours during the vegetative period. A dark period of 12 hours is used as a standard in cannabis to ensure a smooth flowering process.
General Hydroponic KoolBloom
Available as Liquid KoolBloom or Dry KoolBloom, this additive is widely regarded as the best bud hardener out there.
Higher THC
Trichomes are present on all marijuana plants, but sticky plants have the most and therefore generate the most THC on their tips. Since THC is one of many factors that affect an individual's “highness” from weed, sticky weed will often be more potent than dry weed of the same strain.
Feeding with carbohydrates
Another type of supplement that can help increase bud density and create huge buds is sugar-based additives. These products contain carbohydrates that can provide your plants with all the energy that they need to grow larger and denser buds.
Week 4. At week 4 of the flowering stage, your cannabis plants will likely have stopped growing altogether and are now spending all their energy on growing buds. There will still be white hairs sticking out from the buds, but the buds themselves will become bigger and fatter with each day.
The flowering stage is when your plants will produce buds and what we commonly refer to as “weed”. During the flowering stage, your plants should be ready to harvest after 8-12 weeks, depending on the strain.
The best way to check the trichomes on your buds is to use a magnifying glass or a specially designed-trichome viewer. If you see that the trichomes are mostly clear, the plant is not mature enough to harvest. If you see that the trichomes are milky white, the plant is ready to be harvested.
Poor Airflow
Buds seem to fatten the best when they get plenty of light and fresh air. You've already taken care of light, but you should also ensure your plants get excellent airflow. Air circulation helps control humidity, prevent wet spots, and moves air through the plant and around the buds.
If the buds dry too quickly, more of the chlorophyll will remain, and the smoke will be bitter and have a green aftertaste.
Mold can also develop while your buds are being dried and cured. There are methods growers use to help prevent bud rot. Wait until after a dry spell before harvesting your plants. Outdoor plants should not be harvested if there has been any rain during the last three days.
Harvest your buds
Cut each branch near the node using your curved trimming scissors. Each branch will hold several buds. Keep them attached to the branch during trimming to make your life easier. Place your bud-laden branches into a large jar or bucket until you strip the entire plant.
Is dry weed okay to smoke? Though overly dry cannabis is not ideal, it can still be smoked. Anything beneath 10% moisture could be harsh, and the lower the moisture content below that, the harsher and less potent the cannabis will be.
Be aware that your buds will most likely start to get that hay smell when air-dried in a warm place so try to keep the environment as cool as possible (under 70 °F/20 °C).
Depending on the specific mass and profile of the flowers, the drying process generally takes three to four weeks. For both marijuana and hemp producers of smokable flower, the curing process is an important postharvest step that provides additional value in the quality of the resulting product.
If the buds dry too quickly, more of the chlorophyll will remain, and the smoke will be bitter and have a green aftertaste.
Simple brown paper bags, like the kind you get from the bakery, are perfect for drying buds. Especially popcorn buds. If you place a handful or two of freshly manicured smaller nuggets into a paper bag and leave them to dry for 2–3 days your halfway there.
The optimal conditions for cannabis drying rooms are: 15-20°C (60-68°F) 50-60% relative humidity.