Keeping Drying Cannabis Mold Free
Mold on Buds while Drying: All stages of weed growth are vulnerable to the problem of mildew and mold. However, when you dry and cure your marijuana after harvest, the potential for mold becomes significantly higher. Even if you believe that the marijuana in your containers is secure, mold can quickly take over and damage your crop. How to prevent mold on cannabis while curing? When drying and curing your cannabis, it is essential to understand how to prevent moldy buds through different cannabis curing techniques and equipment, such as trimming trays for weed and weed drying trays.
How to Cure Cannabis: Cannabis curing is a process in which we store buds over a period of at least two weeks in a closed container and make optimum moisture content of harvested cannabis plant while allowing the decay of its sugars and chlorophyll content. This helps to develop the flavor and aroma and reduce harshness of the harvested cannabis.
When faced with the unfortunate situation of moldy weed, it's essential to understand how to cure moldy weed and whether moldy buds can be saved. Prioritizing safety is paramount when dealing with moldy cannabis. Consuming moldy buds is ill-advised due to the potential for harmful compounds. If attempting salvage, start by meticulously trimming moldy sections to prevent further spread. Disinfect storage containers and drying spaces, control humidity, and ensure proper ventilation. Some growers use techniques like water curing or baking to eliminate mold spores, but risks and impact on quality must be considered. Prevention through proper drying and curing practices remains the best strategy to avoid mold issues.
What Makes Cannabis Buds Moldy?
Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungus that also blooms on the grapevine, berries, cherries, and other crops and vegetables, is the reason behind the mold that can develop on cannabis Sativa and is popularly known by cultivators as "bud rot."
Cannabis cultivation presents challenges, notably the need to prevent bud rot, which can occur during drying. Bud rot, or botrytis, is a fungal disease favored by high humidity. To prevent bud rot during drying, ensure proper air circulation and maintain low humidity levels in the drying area. Vigilantly inspect buds for any signs of mold, discarding affected sections. These measures, combined with precise humidity and temperature control, are essential for safeguarding your cannabis crop from bud rot.
Botrytis targets the living tissue of crops or vegetables while feasting on the decaying matter and flourishes in temperate, moist environments. The fungi are extremely difficult to identify since it appears on the stems of blooming cannabis plants or extracted flowers and gradually spread on the surface. The internal section of a bud typically gets destroyed completely by the moment you notice botrytis on the exterior, leaving the bud moist, sticky, and with an unpleasant odor.
HOW TO PREVENT BUD MOLD AFTER HARVEST
1- Drying
When marijuana buds are cultivated, they carry a significant amount of water. Hence, you must be cautious and wait till your buds are crispy and only contain approximately 10-15% moisture.
Drying can be done in various ways. The most effective technique is to use weed drying trays that assist in the process of drying. However, it is imperative to ensure it's somewhere clean, dark, and with good airflow. Buds are often dried by cultivators in a designated space or a cabinet, along with custom cannabis trays.
2- Creating the Perfect Drying Environment
Along with investing in equipment like custom cannabis trays, it is also important to spend effort on establishing an ideal environment for the process of drying. Your buds should be dried at a temperature of 18–20 °C and relative humidity of 50–60 %. It is preferred to keep the heat at the higher end of the spectrum for the initial days to enable quicker drying, then reduce the temperatures to slow the process. When the stems of marijuana buds shatter readily, they are suitable to be cured. According to the temperatures and moisture, this can take as long as two weeks.
3- Trim Like a Pro
Ensure your buds have been expertly clipped before curing. Old plant matter, such as leaves and stems, can retain moisture and foster the growth of mold. You may also have to use trimming trays for weed to make the trimming quicker.
Looking for a trustworthy company that would provide you with the most reliable weed drying trays? Contact us today or visit our website for more details about the products and services that Harvest Supply Canada provides and how we will be able to assist you with all your needs.
