I’m about to harvest for the first time, but my drying conditions are far from ideal: around 77°F and 70% RH. Unfortunately, I have to work with what I’ve got. I’m planning to use a drying rack and wet trimming due to the high mold risk. I also have a six-inch exhaust fan and plenty of oscillating fans, so I’m not too worried about mold, but I’m more concerned about overdrying or drying too fast and getting that hay smell. Is there a chance that proper curing after drying will help eliminate that hay smell if it occurs? Has anyone had experience drying in similar conditions?
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We have to do what we can. Yes the hay smell happens due to the chlorophyll breaking down. After you dry, do it as slow as possible with your temps/RH that you posted, and once you place in jars or bags, after about 2 weeks, the hay smell should go away and the true bouquet should come out.
First harvest is always an awesome feeling, especially when you get to smoke your own bud.
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Thanks! Also, what do you think would work better in this case: hanging the whole branches inside the tent or laying the buds on a drying rack?
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Forgot to mention that I only have one plant.
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I use a drying rack. But i also hang whole plants. Set up your exhaust and set it on low. (Up high) Put you a small fan on the floor opposite your exhaust also set on low. Ive been fighting 70% rh also when drying. If you do plant on hanging the whole plant, make sure to get as much green off as possible (fan leaves , sucker leaves , ect) make sure you have a little space between the branches because when she collapses she will hug herself and you might have mold issues. If youre worried about it, use a rack. Little airflow. You want circulation due to the high rh and the exhaust pulling the humid air out… you dont want air directly on the buds. The longer drytime the better. I was able to dry for 7 days this grow around and then sweat for 24 hours. Buds came out looking great.
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Thank you! Well, at least I’m not totally fucked up. It’s a pleasure to hear lol. Do you think I could dry for at least 4-5 days if I use a rack and have a small oscillating fan pointed towards the wall?
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Are you going to go ol skool and do the snap test or do you have a moisture meter to determine when to start curing?
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You should be fine. You want an average of 5 to 10 days of drying time. Just an FYI, watch your language in these forums. We try to keep it clean. Thanks for understanding.
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Yeah, I have one
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Hey, welcome to the community. I would definitely leave all the sugar Leafs to try and slow the drying process down some. Take the fan leafs off and do a final trim after the buds dry.
Happy growing 
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Hi, thank you! Yeah, I was considering that option too. I’m still deciding whether to use a drying rack or hang the individual branches inside the grow tent lol.
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Personally , I hang the individual limbs. Never had a problem.
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Welcome to the community. I have dried both ways but I usually chop whole plant and hang it a few days them cut limbs and put them on a hanging dry rack. Good luck
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Looks great 
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If they start getting too dry too fast, you can “sweat” them in a sealed container. Just place the buds in a plastic box with a sealed lid for a couple of days. This allows the moisture to even out, then hang again to dry the rest of the way. It is a good idea to do this anyways like half-way through and I have been doing it for the last 3 or so harvests. (also single plant at a time)
My drying set up is a cardboard box with vent holes in 2 sides and strings across the top to hang from. Just a flat piece of cardboard to put over the open top and the whole thing sits in my “lung room” (spare bedroom with my 4’x8’ tent in it.)
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I like “sweating” in a paper bag,
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