My First Cannabis Drying Experience: Lessons from a Rookie Grower
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Drying cannabis can be as critical as growing it, and I learned this the hard way during my first harvest. Let's walk through it real quick.
The YouTube Dilemma:
I was so excited about my first harvest. I had three beautiful "Royal Critical Auto" plants from Royal Queen Seeds, and they were all ready to harvest around the same time. The first one, RCA #2, was a particular beauty, smelling like sweet candy. But I had a problem: I'd seen conflicting advice on YouTube about drying cannabis in a tent that still had a light cycle going.
One video warned that drying cannabis with the lights on would make it smell like hay. Another video claimed it wouldn't affect the cannabis at all. As a newbie, I didn't know which advice to trust, so I decided to experiment.
Harvesting Techniques: Choosing the Method
When it came to cutting down the cannabis plants, I had a few options. I could cut and dry each branch separately, cut each bud off and dry them in a net basket, or go with the tried and true method of cutting the plant off at the base and hanging the whole thing upside down. I decided to go with the tried and true method. Additionally, I knew it was ideal to cut off all big leaves before hang drying to allow better airflow and avoid mold issues.
I also tried three different trimming techniques:
- On the first plant, I only trimmed the very largest leaves.
- On the second plant, I cut the largest and some of the other somewhat larger leaves.
- On the third plant, I cut all the leaves I could find a stem for. If the stem was too far into the bud, I left it on and planned to trim it at the end.
The Experiment: RCA #2 and the Tent
I harvested RCA #2 and hung it in the tent with the lights on. The tent was still cycling its light schedule for the remaining plants. For the first two days, everything seemed fine. The buds were drying, and the smell was still there. However, by day three, the sweet candy aroma had disappeared, replaced by a distinct hay smell.
I was devastated. The weed still worked and smoked fine—it didn’t taste bad or scratch the throat—but the delightful smell was gone. I couldn't bear to let the other plants suffer the same fate.
Adjusting the Method: RCA #3
The day after #2 was harvested, I harvested RCA #3. I hung it in the tent until I smelled the hay on #3, and then moved it to an extra room. This room wasn't perfectly dark, but it was a lot darker than the tent with the lights on. By day three, the half of RCA #3 that was facing the light started smelling like hay, while the other half, which wasn't directly exposed to the light, retained some of its sweet, gassy aroma, albeit with a faint hint of hay.
Learning and Success: RCA #1
Two days after RCA #3, I harvested RCA #1 and hung it directly in the extra room, avoiding the tent entirely. This plant retained its lovely sweet candy and gas smell throughout the drying process. It was a success!
The Moral of the Story
Don't trust everything you see on YouTube. Each grower’s environment and conditions are unique, and what works for one might not work for another. If you’re new to this, experiment with small batches and adjust your methods based on the results.
Key Takeaways:
- Experiment Gradually: If you have multiple plants ready for harvest, don't cut them all down at once. Harvest them one at a time with a day or two intervals to see how your drying method affects each one.
- Avoid Light During Drying: Light exposure can significantly impact the smell of your drying cannabis. A dark room is preferable.
- Trimming Techniques: Experiment with different trimming methods to see what works best for you. Early trimming can help with airflow and mold prevention.
- Learn from Mistakes: My first plant, RCA #2, was a learning experience. By the time I harvested RCA #1, I had adjusted my methods and achieved a much better result.
Growing and drying cannabis is a journey of learning and adapting. Each mistake is a step towards perfecting your technique. So, don’t be afraid to try different methods and find what works best for you. Happy growing and drying!
I hope this story helps other beginners avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered. Have you had similar experiences? Share your stories in the comments below!