Drying Your Harvest

Now that you have your harvest after months of meticulous care, you must clip and dry your flowers. You have spent the last several weeks growing with your hydroponic LED grow lights and now is the time to reap the reward! Drying flowers usually takes anywhere from 2- 6 weeks depending on the climate of your location. Where you live will play a factor in your drying time. If you live in a desert climate, the drying process is faster. If you live in a tropical climate it will take double the time. One of the easiest drying techniques is to take the branches and hang them upside down so the leaves droop/fall over the flowers. Make sure to hang your flowers in a cool dark place with very low humidity and plenty of ventilation. Some people even use a dehumidifier to speed up the process. After the leaves droop down over the flowers and turn crisp or are easily breakable, you should start trimming off the leaves.

Once your plants are completely dry you need to store them in a good spot. An air tight glass jar is ideal for this final step in the curing process. This will bring out the best possible aroma and flavors from your flowers. Simply place the dry flowers in the jar for 7-12 days, checking daily for any sign of mold or mildew, and rotating the flowers from top to bottom. Also, make sure to store the jar in a dark, dry closet. Drying your plants is the last and most awaited step in the whole growing process. It is one of the most enjoyable parts of indoor growing with LED grow lights and where you finally reap the benefits of your long awaited harvest!