Drying and fermenting cannabis: Professional instructions

Drying and fermentation determine the final quality of the cannabis flowers:

**Drying (7-14 days)**

The first critical step after harvesting.

*Optimal conditions:*

- Temperature: 18-21°C constant

- Humidity: 45-55%

- Darkness (UV destroys THC)

- Good air circulation without direct wind

- Clean, dust-free environment

*Drying process:*

1. Remove large fan leaves before hanging

2. Hang branches on strings or drying nets

3. Do not allow branches to touch

4. Check daily for mould

5. Test: Small branches break with a "cracking" sound

**Trimming (pruning)**

Remove sugar leaves for optimum appearance.

*Wet trim:*

- Directly after harvest

- Easier to cut

- Faster drying

- Risk: Dry too quickly

*Dry Trim:*

- After drying

- Slower, more even drying

- Better flavour and odour

- More labour-intensive, but better quality

**Fermentation/curing (4-8+ weeks)**

Development of flavour, odour and smoothness.

*Curing containers:*

- Airtight jars (mason jars ideal)

- Clean, odourless containers

- 60-70% fill level, not too full

*Curing process:*

1. Fill dried flowers into jars

2. First 2 weeks: ventilate twice a day for 15-30 minutes

3. Aim for 58-65% humidity

4. After 2 weeks: ventilate 1x daily

5. From month 1: air 1-2 times a week

*Boveda packs:*

- 58% or 62% humidity

- Automatic humidity regulation

- Longer storage possible without control

**Quality control:**

- Sort out mould immediately

- Too moist: ventilate more, Boveda 58%

- Too dry: ventilate less, Boveda 62%

- Optimum: flowers slightly springy, not cracking dry

**Storage after curing:**

- Airtight containers at 15-21°C

- Store in the dark (UV protection)

- Boveda packs for constant humidity

- Stored correctly: can be kept for years