Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible

marijuana will not be very potent. Drying also converts 75 percent or more of the freshly harvested plant into water vapor and other gases.

Bonsai electric scissors work on AC or DC current. This great invention for guerilla and indoor growers cuts trimming time by two thirds or more. The poster in the background is Napoleon on the cover of Newsweek magazine!
    When you cut a plant or plant part and hang it to dry, the transport of fluids within the plant continues, but at a slower rate. Stomata close soon after harvest, and drying is slowed since little water vapor escapes. The natural plant processes slowly come to an end as the plant dries. The outer cells are the first to dry, but fluid still moves from internal cells to supply moisture to outer cells which are dry. When this process occurs properly, plants dry evenly throughout. Removing leaves and large stems upon harvest speeds drying; however, moisture content within the “dried” buds, leaves, and stems is uneven. If buds are dried too quickly, chlorophyll and other pigments, starch, and nitrates are trapped within plant tissue, making it taste “green,” burn unevenly, and taste bad.
    When dried relatively slowly, over five to seven days or longer, moisture evaporates evenly into the air, yielding uniformly dry buds with minimal THC decomposition. Slowly dried buds taste sweet and smoke smooth. Taste and aroma improve when pigments break down. Slow even drying–where moisture content is the same throughout stems, foliage and buds– allows enough time for the pigments to degrade. Hanging entire plants to dry allows this process to take place over time.

The Aardvark trimmer attaches to a vacuum which whisks all trim into a tidy bag. Put flexible hose in the freezer and shake out accumulated resin an hour later.
    To speed drying time, remove large leaves and stems upon harvest. Fresh supple leaves are easier to work with than when dry. When you are looking at manicuring 10 pounds (4.5 kg), you make it as easy as possible!
    Plants with outer “fan” leaves intact take longer to dry and require much more time to manicure. The outer leaves form a sheath that helps protect delicate trichomes when drying, but this practice turns trimming dry leaves into a tedious, messy, two-step job.
    Circulation and ventilation fans will help control heat and humidity and keep them at proper levels. You can also use a dehumidifier to control humidity. An air conditioner is ideal to “dial in” temperature and humidity in warm climates. Large drying areas may require a heater to raise temperature and lower humidity. Do not train fans directly on drying plants; it causes them to dry unevenly.
    For best results, drying should be slow. Ideal air temperature is between 65 and 75°F (18-24°C) and humidity from 45 to 55 percent. Temperatures below 65°F (18°C) slow drying, and humidity often climbs quickly. Humidity above 80 percent extends drying time and makes the threat of bud mold imminent. Temperatures above 75°F (24°C) may cause buds to dry too fast, and humidity can also fall below the ideal 50 percent level more easily. Temperatures above 85°F (29°C) cause buds to dry so fast that smoke becomes harsh. Relative humidity below 30-40 percent causes buds to dry too fast and retain chlorophyll, giving them a “green” taste. Fast-dried buds become crispy and crumble. Low humidity also causes buds to lose flavor and odor. If humidity is between 30 and 40 percent, allow for minimum air movement to slow drying. Always use an accurate maximum/minimum thermometer and hygrometer to ensure temperature and humidity are kept in the ideal range.

The Grass Chopper is one of the many new medium-sized bud trimmers that feature vacuum leaf removal.

Scrape resin from scissors and ball up into hash. Remove accumulated resin from gloves with alcohol or put in the freezer to facilitate separation.

Trim buds over a screen or glass table to collect resin glands. Scrape up glands and press into hash.

This ingenious grower made a bud trimmer by duct taping a couple of pieces of metal and a drill to a workbench.

This grower dried his one-pound (450 gm) crop in a small closet. Two levels of drying lines were stretched across the closet.

Shantibaba (Mr. Nice Seeds) constructed drying racks from Mecalux angleiron and put wheels on the bottom to facilitate handling and storage.
    Small harvests can easily be dried in a closet, cabinet, or a cardboard box that is a fraction of the