Curing And Manicuring

BobNarley · 05-31-2008, 09:23 AM

Curing and Manicuring
When a bud is picked, many of its metabolic processes con-
tinue for a while. The cells begin to convert carbohydrates back to
sugars and break down some of the pigments. Chlorophyll is one of
the pigments affected. Some of it is metabolized and the bud ap-
pears a lighter green than when it was first picked. Some of the
other pigments will show through then, giving the bud a red, purple
or cream color.
To continue to cure, the leaves need to be dried slowly so that

moisture remains in the cells. They stay alive and continue life pro-
cesses. On the other hand, if the curing process takes too long,
mold may form on the buds.
Small amounts of marijuana dissipate their water quickly in an
open room because the relative humidity of the air in houses is
usually dry. A paper bag can be used to conserve water. The bag
should be opened and aired twice a day. In areas with high humidity
or when it is rainy, there is enough moisture in the air to let the buds
dry in the open air.
Larger amounts are cured in areas with more air circulation --
an attic or basement or a dark room will do. A fan may be needed
to increase circulation. Since all of the vegetation is contributing
moisture to the air, ventilation is needed to remove it. Rooms that
are too moist are conducive to mold. If mold appears, increase the
heat in the room to 80 degrees, so that the air can absorb more
water.
Whole plants can be hung upside down but it is much easier to
hang branches cut in 1-2 foot lengths. These can be hung along
lines, laid on trays or placed on shelves. It is easy to hang buds using
clothespins or twist-ties.
Some growers don't mind a little more chlorophyll taste and
would rather dry the buds quickly. If the space has low humidity
and is warm, the plants will dry fast. One grower placed buds in a
microwave oven for 30 seconds or more on high power so that some
of the moisture was removed, then let them dry normally. He said it
reduced drying time by 50%. Microwaves kill seeds, so that buds
containing desired seed should not be microwaved.
Food dehydrators can come in handy, too. They never get very
hot so little THC is destroyed, yet their warmth promotes quick
drying. Some growers let the plants dry naturally for a few days and
then finish them off in the food dryer.
If plants begin to mold, they should be dried immediately
before the infection can spread. Mold is contained by keeping in-
fected plants separated from others. This should always be done
because of latent spores.
Drying in an oven is not recommended. Getting the timing
wrong or forgetting the buds for a few minutes can spell disaster. A
vegetable dehydrator serves the purpose much better because it has
relatively low maximum temperatures and will not burn the buds.
While the plants are drying, the large leaves can be removed us-
ing scissors, a knife, fingernails, or a clipper. It is harder and takes
longer to manicure when the plants are wet.
The best time to manicure is when the plants are near dry.
When the plants are wet they are difficult to clip. When they are dry
many of the glands fall off as the bud is handled. When the plants
still have some moisture, the glands are more likely to stay attached
to the plant. Manicuring is easier right after picking because the
leaves are still turgid. Growers sometimes manicure while the plants
are still standing. The plants are in a convenient position and there
seems to be less chance of damage to the bud.
Buds which are too close can be pressed together when they are

still wet. They will dry in the position they hold. Rolling them gently
in between one's hands shapes them.
Plenty of light must be used manicuring the buds so that the
grower can see clearly exactly what he is doing. A good overhead
light as well as a table or floor lamp will do as long as it is bright. A
directional light such as an office or typewiter lamp is ideal.
To manicure, the large sun leaves outside of the bud area are
removed. The smaller multi-fingered leaves are removed next. The
bud should now appear almost naked, except for some single
fingered leaves sticking out from between the flowers. Rather than
removing these leaves entirely, they are clipped down to the cir-
cumference of the flowers, so that the ends of the leaf do not stick
out.
Once the bud has dried, it should be packed in an airtight,
lightight container. Buds which are packed moist are likely to mold.
One grower left some moisture on the buds, packed them in food
sealers, and then microwaved them to kill the mold. A bud should
be left undisturbed until it is to be smoked. Every time it is moved,
unpacked, or handled, some of the resin glands fall off. The glands
can be seen cascading through the air whenever a bud is handled
roughly.
Sun leaves are unsuitable for smoking except through a water-
pipe. The leaves can be prepared for smoking by soaking them in
water for several hours and then rinsing the leaves. The water
dissolves many of the pigments and resins including much of the
chlorophyll, but the THC remains on the leaves. The water is
dumped and then the leaves are dried. They smoke much smoother
than they did originally. They can also be used in cooking, in brew-
ing or the THC they hold can be removed and concentrated.
The smaller leaves which were trimmed from the buds, in-
cluding single finger leaves and trimming, are quite potent but they
do not smoke that smoothly. Trim can also be smoked in a water-
pipe or soaked in water.
The buds are usually saved for smoking. The quality of the bud
improves for several weeks after it has dried. The THC acid loses its
water molecule and becomes psychoactive. Once the bud is fairly
dry, the evaporation can be speeded up by keeping the bud in a
warm place for a few hours or by using a microwave oven.

05-31-2008, 09:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
BobNarley My Mood: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mojove Desert-Southern California Posts: 530 gRamz: 8,063 Danks: 28 Danked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Curing And Manicuring Curing and Manicuring When a bud is picked, many of its metabolic processes con- tinue for a while. The cells begin to convert carbohydrates back to sugars and break down some of the pigments. Chlorophyll is one of the pigments affected. Some of it is metabolized and the bud ap- pears a lighter green than when it was first picked. Some of the other pigments will show through then, giving the bud a red, purple or cream color. To continue to cure, the leaves need to be dried slowly so that moisture remains in the cells. They stay alive and continue life pro- cesses. On the other hand, if the curing process takes too long, mold may form on the buds. Small amounts of marijuana dissipate their water quickly in an open room because the relative humidity of the air in houses is usually dry. A paper bag can be used to conserve water. The bag should be opened and aired twice a day. In areas with high humidity or when it is rainy, there is enough moisture in the air to let the buds dry in the open air. Larger amounts are cured in areas with more air circulation -- an attic or basement or a dark room will do. A fan may be needed to increase circulation. Since all of the vegetation is contributing moisture to the air, ventilation is needed to remove it. Rooms that are too moist are conducive to mold. If mold appears, increase the heat in the room to 80 degrees, so that the air can absorb more water. Whole plants can be hung upside down but it is much easier to hang branches cut in 1-2 foot lengths. These can be hung along lines, laid on trays or placed on shelves. It is easy to hang buds using clothespins or twist-ties. Some growers don't mind a little more chlorophyll taste and would rather dry the buds quickly. If the space has low humidity and is warm, the plants will dry fast. One grower placed buds in a microwave oven for 30 seconds or more on high power so that some of the moisture was removed, then let them dry normally. He said it reduced drying time by 50%. Microwaves kill seeds, so that buds containing desired seed should not be microwaved. Food dehydrators can come in handy, too. They never get very hot so little THC is destroyed, yet their warmth promotes quick drying. Some growers let the plants dry naturally for a few days and then finish them off in the food dryer. If plants begin to mold, they should be dried immediately before the infection can spread. Mold is contained by keeping in- fected plants separated from others. This should always be done because of latent spores. Drying in an oven is not recommended. Getting the timing wrong or forgetting the buds for a few minutes can spell disaster. A vegetable dehydrator serves the purpose much better because it has relatively low maximum temperatures and will not burn the buds. While the plants are drying, the large leaves can be removed us- ing scissors, a knife, fingernails, or a clipper. It is harder and takes longer to manicure when the plants are wet. The best time to manicure is when the plants are near dry. When the plants are wet they are difficult to clip. When they are dry many of the glands fall off as the bud is handled. When the plants still have some moisture, the glands are more likely to stay attached to the plant. Manicuring is easier right after picking because the leaves are still turgid. Growers sometimes manicure while the plants are still standing. The plants are in a convenient position and there seems to be less chance of damage to the bud. Buds which are too close can be pressed together when they are still wet. They will dry in the position they hold. Rolling them gently in between one's hands shapes them. Plenty of light must be used manicuring the buds so that the grower can see clearly exactly what he is doing. A good overhead light as well as a table or floor lamp will do as long as it is bright. A directional light such as an office or typewiter lamp is ideal. To manicure, the large sun leaves outside of the bud area are removed. The smaller multi-fingered leaves are removed next. The bud should now appear almost naked, except for some single fingered leaves sticking out from between the flowers. Rather than removing these leaves entirely, they are clipped down to the cir- cumference of the flowers, so that the ends of the leaf do not stick out. Once the bud has dried, it should be packed in an airtight, lightight container. Buds which are packed moist are likely to mold. One grower left some moisture on the buds, packed them in food sealers, and then microwaved them to kill the mold. A bud should be left undisturbed until it is to be smoked. Every time it is moved, unpacked, or handled, some of the resin glands fall off. The glands can be seen cascading through the air whenever a bud is handled roughly. Sun leaves are unsuitable for smoking except through a water- pipe. The leaves can be prepared for smoking by soaking them in water for several hours and then rinsing the leaves. The water dissolves many of the pigments and resins including much of the chlorophyll, but the THC remains on the leaves. The water is dumped and then the leaves are dried. They smoke much smoother than they did originally. They can also be used in cooking, in brew- ing or the THC they hold can be removed and concentrated. The smaller leaves which were trimmed from the buds, in- cluding single finger leaves and trimming, are quite potent but they do not smoke that smoothly. Trim can also be smoked in a water- pipe or soaked in water. The buds are usually saved for smoking. The quality of the bud improves for several weeks after it has dried. The THC acid loses its water molecule and becomes psychoactive. Once the bud is fairly dry, the evaporation can be speeded up by keeping the bud in a warm place for a few hours or by using a microwave oven.

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