If dealing with a relatively small amount of biomass (for extract, not smokable) could it work to immediately debud wet and dry on racks in something like a temp controlled and well ventilated shipping container? I have heard that drying with flower still on the stalks slows down the drying process considerably because the flower will still be sucking in moisture from the plant for 3 days.
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Ever seen calcium chloride blankets for shipping containers? Its like a Boveda pack thats the size of a dinner table.
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Yes 100%
It slows it a shitload and then ur paying to dry sticks that you will throw away. But then you have to build racks but will pack a lot more useable material per sq ft then hanging will
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I’m in the desert southwest where humidity is nearly non existant… Do i need be worried about it drying too fast, or is that only a concern for smokable hemp? That is too say, can cbd % be lost from drying too quickly? Assuming temp is maintained at an ideal level.
You’re made! Smokeable only worry. What state are you in ?
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Does using a machine dryer cause decarb?
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probably, at least a little
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Can I get Terpene’s from you 
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Fast and Slow are relative terms. Can you post numbers for drytimes per acre? at 60/60 degree/rh
I have a 30x100 greenhouse and was thinking of possibly using it to dry. Much smaller scale(250 plants). There is a propane heater and an exhaust fan with ventilation, all set to thermostats. I have rebar having from the trusses to support my trellis system for tomatoes and cucumbers. Would I set it up with a humidistat instead of thermostat connected to the heater? exhaust fan? Do I need to worry about the sunlight? …covering the greenhouse during drying? Northeast location so humidity will almost definitely be a consideration!
Sounds like a solid set up.
r/e ?'s
- I would stick with the thermostat, we set ours at about 80-85 to start, but really depends on outside temps. Getting the interior 10-20 deg warmer than outside seems to work well in getting the plants to ‘sweat it out’, once it hits temps ventilate the warm, moist air out and suck in cooler, dryer air from outside. Then fans off, heat on and repeat. This works well for the initial drying, but we’ve found that to finish the drying and so it doesn’t ‘re-moisten’ we put a big dehumidifier or two in the house and button it up tight, especially at night. Have a humidistat inside and outside the house, general rule is run the fans if it less humid outside than inside.
- Sunlight can be an issue. Hanging whole plants upsidown keeps the ‘tops’ in the shade. We also hang shade cloth over the houses to help with final quality and temperature.
Hope that helps. Be Well!!
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Best plan I’ve heard yet…thanks!
There is one new technology based on powder…tested on hemp and Cannabis…get dry in 24 hours and keep original color and smell
Hope you don’t mind, but a few more quick questions…Drying would go quicker if branches were hung individually, correct? More labor but would take up less space. Then shuck after drying is complete? How long does it take you to dry whole plants? Are you removing flower after whole plants are dried? If so, how? Or are you just using the entire plant?
Anyone have advise on trying to build one of these?
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Do the math?
As in how much water do you want to evaporate, in what distance, in what amount of time. That will give you approximate watts, belt length, and speed. Adjust your expectations till you can make the math work (size of thermonuclear reactor required to power said belt dryer). Try it at 1:100 scale.
Adjust expectations again. or buy one for another industry and adjust it.
Ask the all knowing one what it takes to make a kg of water vanish into warm air ?!?
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Depends how you use it I would assume. If you’re driving off water below it’s boiling point and keep your residence time low you should not.
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What are the numbers of how much sq ft is needed per acre or per pound? Does anyone have these kinds of figures?
According to OregonCBDs site, 5000 sqft per acre I believe
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