Drying in brown paper bags.

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Alistair

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Hello,

Following advice from something I read on how to dry and cure buds, I've decided to dry the buds inside brown paper bags. Ok, this seems to work fine, except one thing: The buds get flat on the sides because their own weight in water flattens them. I was wondering if they would eventually regain their shape? Does anybody know?

Also, I wonder if any potency is lost because the paper bag absorbs chemicals like THC, etc? I used to hang them to dry, but for various reasons I decided to dry them in the paper bags this time. Flattened buds bothers a bit, but the thing of main concern is the potency. Anybody have any suggestions? These buds aren't crushed, just flat on the sides upon which they lie.

Thanks,

Alistair
 
Any time I've done it, I've never noticed a change in the potency.

I can tell you that the flatness stays there. They don't spring back after a while, or anything. I've made them into rectangles by repeted turning... kind of like weed bars. Next time I'm on a nature hike, I should pull out one of my weedbars when everyone else whips out they're granola snacks and such.
 
you need to air the bag several times a day when your drying this way, if you turn the buds as they are drying they will keep shape
 
The problem with whipping out one of your weed bars during the hike, is the others might want some too. So, be sure to bring enough to share. Or, better yet, make some pot granola bars and share those with your friends and see if they don't like those better than the ones they brought.
 
Dj Short uses this method also only first he and I hang whole plant week or two then when tips of buds are dry to the touch as well as outer leaves and some small buds may even be smokable at this point, you place buds in bag only a couple inches deep(fold twice like sandwich bag) poke holes at top if kept in a humid area. Buds should still be a tad bit wet on the inside, that's a good thing as long as outer is crisp. Open bag and turn buds over once a day. After a few days slowly tighten the bag on buds and you get the shape we all know and love. 2-4 weeks for first smokable product. I go a step further and cure them in glass jars burping them an additional two to three weeks for fifteen minutes at a time.
 
I keep my buds hanging until they are dry enough to snap the stems but still kind of sticky. I then put it in the wide mouth mason jars. Put the buds in there and seal it up. I open it several times a day to let the moist air out and let the air circulate. Thats how I cure and I've had excellent results. A few weeks of curing like this produces nice smooth great tasting smoke. Just my thoughts. Take care and be safe.
 
What Smokey does is the best way imho. Why do folks give DJ Short so many props. He is a strain stealer. Ask Hank from DutchPassion.


smokybear said:
I keep my buds hanging until they are dry enough to snap the stems but still kind of sticky. I then put it in the wide mouth mason jars. Put the buds in there and seal it up. I open it several times a day to let the moist air out and let the air circulate. Thats how I cure and I've had excellent results. A few weeks of curing like this produces nice smooth great tasting smoke. Just my thoughts. Take care and be safe.
 
Why do you give props to "Hank". Any proof on what o' Hank says? And, I don't know, maybe we give him props because Dj Short made one of the most stable strains to cross breed with. And desirable to smoke! Never even heard of O' Hank:hubba:
 
I don't know anything about Hank being a strain stealer but the mason jar method is the most accepted method, I believe. Just my thoughts. Keep us posted on what you decide to do. Take care and be safe.
 
My last sentence states that I use jars as well. No, brown bags are not required. The brown bags are to form your buds to the shape we all know and love and compact them. There's three steps to my method. Hang. Brown bag. Jar. That's just one of the many ways. ;) To each there own.:)
 
its irrelevent what shape they are when dry still the same bud so long as as hie states you air the bags frequently.

just my sixpence

crap im showing my age now

lol

pkj
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried some of the dried, but uncured buds, and although the buzz seems to be good, the taste was nasty. From reading many threads pertaining to flushing, I have found that there are basically two camps on this subject: Camp one, flushing is necessary, and camp two, flushing is a myth. This stuff was grown in soil using foxfarm liquid fertilizers; Grow Big,Tiger Bloom, Big Bloom, and dry fertilizers; Open Sesame, Beastie Blooms, and Cha Ching. Ok, I realize that proper curing should improve flavor, and the nasty taste is what you get with uncured buds. I know that the nasty taste is not my imagination, but perhaps the chemical taste is my imagination. What bothers me most is the idea of smoking harmful chemicals.

I do know this however, because plants tend to mature a bit at a time, and not all at once, it seems impossible to "flush" in order that all the buds get properly nourished, and flushed of excess nutes at the same time.

I sure hope that not only does the taste improve after a proper cure, but that harmful chemicals aren't being inhaled either.
 
RichyB hit the nail exactly as I dry and cure my bud to the T or is it T? anyhoo, perfect RichyB
 
Alistair Young said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried some of the dried, but uncured buds, and although the buzz seems to be good, the taste was nasty. From reading many threads pertaining to flushing, I have found that there are basically two camps on this subject: Camp one, flushing is necessary, and camp two, flushing is a myth. This stuff was grown in soil using foxfarm liquid fertilizers; Grow Big,Tiger Bloom, Big Bloom, and dry fertilizers; Open Sesame, Beastie Blooms, and Cha Ching. Ok, I realize that proper curing should improve flavor, and the nasty taste is what you get with uncured buds. I know that the nasty taste is not my imagination, but perhaps the chemical taste is my imagination. What bothers me most is the idea of smoking harmful chemicals.

I do know this however, because plants tend to mature a bit at a time, and not all at once, it seems impossible to "flush" in order that all the buds get properly nourished, and flushed of excess nutes at the same time.

I sure hope that not only does the taste improve after a proper cure, but that harmful chemicals aren't being inhaled either.
That's why you go completely organic!:cool: I've never flushed and mine taste nothing like chemicals.:D No scientists flush a plant when growing it for medicinal purposes. Reason being it doesn't do anything. Now if your using highly concentrated non-organic nutes then yes you might want to flush those kind. I've even had buds from other people that tasted straight up like MG!:eek: I'd recommend flushing in those circumstances or when nute lock occurs. STAY HIGH
 
parkingjoe said:
its irrelevent what shape they are when dry still the same bud so long as as hie states you air the bags frequently.

just my sixpence

crap im showing my age now

lol

pkj
Yes, it is relevent what shape their in. People do not want giant fluffy buds. Some like it compacted a little more. I do anyways and that's all that matters!:D
 
Alistair Young said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried some of the dried, but uncured buds, and although the buzz seems to be good, the taste was nasty. From reading many threads pertaining to flushing, I have found that there are basically two camps on this subject: Camp one, flushing is necessary, and camp two, flushing is a myth. This stuff was grown in soil using foxfarm liquid fertilizers; Grow Big,Tiger Bloom, Big Bloom, and dry fertilizers; Open Sesame, Beastie Blooms, and Cha Ching. Ok, I realize that proper curing should improve flavor, and the nasty taste is what you get with uncured buds. I know that the nasty taste is not my imagination, but perhaps the chemical taste is my imagination. What bothers me most is the idea of smoking harmful chemicals.

I do know this however, because plants tend to mature a bit at a time, and not all at once, it seems impossible to "flush" in order that all the buds get properly nourished, and flushed of excess nutes at the same time.

I sure hope that not only does the taste improve after a proper cure, but that harmful chemicals aren't being inhaled either.

I never flush, but I do stop using ferts 2 weeks before chop and my bud has never tasted like chemicals. In other words, just use plain water in the last 2 weeks before harvest.

Regarding brown paper bags....I use these also, but I never lay the bud down sideways in the bag ..or it will get crushed by its own weight as you mentioned and will dry unevenly. Instead, gather your buds like a bouquet of flowers. Put them into the bag with the top of the bud pointing towards the bottom of the bag. Then put a rubber band or twist tie around the stems and bag and stand the bag upright to dry. You'll need to have something heavy in the bottom of the bag (I use a hot plate) or prop the bag up. Buds will dry evenly and retain their shape.
 
Regarding brown paper bags....I use these also said:
Only one layer of buds in bown bag.(1in. or 2in full). Won't crush by it's own weight. Especially if you've dried them hanginig upside down for first week or two, as described. Was this whole thread read before you responded? Not tryin to be a di** just asking.
 
Richy-B said:
Only one layer of buds in bown bag.(1in. or 2in full). Won't crush by it's own weight. Especially if you've dried them hanginig upside down for first week or two, as described. Was this whole thread read before you responded? Not tryin to be a di** just asking.

Alistair Young's original post:

"Also, I wonder if any potency is lost because the paper bag absorbs chemicals like THC, etc? I used to hang them to dry, but for various reasons I decided to dry them in the paper bags this time. Flattened buds bothers a bit, but the thing of main concern is the potency. Anybody have any suggestions? These buds aren't crushed, just flat on the sides upon which they lie."

Yes I did read the whole thread. His original post above indicated he didn't want to hang them this time for various reasons but instead wanted to dry them in brown paper bags. Obviously he knows about hanging since he used to hang them dry!

Hence I offered a method that I have used where you can dry them in brown paper bags without crushing them (and without hanging them first). Not sure why you have a problem with that.
 

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