Everything after the plant comes down. Trimming, drying and curing is the stage that decides what the last three months were actually worth – a good crop dried badly is a poor crop, and there is no way back from it.
The three stages
Trim. By hand for the best finish, by machine when volume makes hand trimming impractical. Wet or dry, both work – see below.
Dry. Slowly, in the dark, at around 18-20°C and 55-60% relative humidity, for 7-14 days. This is the part people rush and the part that matters most.
Cure. Sealed containers, opened daily at first, for two to four weeks minimum. Aroma and smoothness develop here, not during the grow.
Why slow drying matters
Drying fast – high heat, a dehumidifier running flat out, three days instead of ten – locks in chlorophyll and volatile compounds that should have broken down. The result smells green and harsh regardless of how well the plant grew. The target is losing moisture gradually enough that the outside never gets ahead of the inside. If stems snap cleanly after four days, it dried too fast.
Wet trim or dry trim?
Wet trim
Dry trim
When
Immediately after cutting
After hanging 5-10 days
Ease
Easier – leaves stand out
Harder – leaves curl in
Drying speed
Faster (less material)
Slower and gentler
Space needed
Less
More hanging room
Result
Tidier appearance
Generally better aroma
Dry trimming in a humid room is the traditional route and usually the better one. Wet trimming wins when space is tight or humidity is hard to control.
What you need
Scissors – several pairs, spring-loaded, so you can swap when resin gums them up. See trimming scissors.
Storage that breathes correctly – Grove Bags and sealed jars.
The numbers worth remembering
18-20°C and 55-60% RH in the drying space. 7-14 days hanging. 62% RH in the cure container. Burp jars daily for the first week, then weekly. Trim bins catch what falls, which is worth having – see Harvest More trim bins.
Why buy harvest kit from The Hydro Bros?
We are a hydroponics shop in Croydon and we go through this every cycle ourselves. Tell us your volume and your drying space and we will tell you whether you need a machine or just three decent pairs of scissors. Discreet UK and European delivery, and excellent customer reviews on Trustpilot.
