Ive ran the Reist settings once or twice… I’ll have to check. Other than the SMF settings, its the best Ive had in my fairly limited use.
Having two Cannatrols at home, maybe I’ll split harvests between the two units and run a comparo in April. Could be a fun and interesting way to see whats what.
Hell, if Scott @HerbsNOW sends me an Herbsnow review unit, we’ll do an honest 3-way comparo I’m up for it!
Herbsnow at 80°ish ( I think thats his setting) for days needed, then cure.
Cannatrol at SMF 72°-75° settings 5 Day Dry, then cure.
Cannatrol at Default settings 68° for 8 Day Dry, then cure
If Scott participated, I would flip the bill for independent testing on all runs. That would be 6 tests. Two harvests with three different post-harvest treatments.
Ive got Solfire Farms FX3 in 2x2 and Phylos Lemon Fresh in the 2x4.
I knew that I wanted to run some form of SMF for sure, or at least run from 72° - 75° with some plan to slope, etc…
Was also thinking to run default and see how that compares to SMF
After that, gotta wait another 4 months or so…
I think either way, we’re losing 40-50% of the moisture by end of 2nd day or so. I think lots of it is splitting hairs, but theres finessing as well. Highly load dependent with the smaller volume the Cannatrol can work with compared to open room.
Hey guys and gals. A little boring here, but I wanted to get some chatting started. I just happened to play with GROK on X for the first time and that thing can really put out some quality answers. I’ve found a couple that were way off the mark. Here’s a quick one I asked about chlorophyl breakdown… POST up some of your questions and answers. We might find some good info.
After cannabis is harvested, chlorophyll undergoes several changes:
Degradation During Drying and Curing:
Drying: When cannabis is hung to dry, chlorophyll begins to break down. This process is facilitated by enzymes within the plant cells that start to degrade chlorophyll as the plant’s metabolic processes slow down due to lack of water and light. The degradation of chlorophyll can lead to the fading or change in color of the leaves from vibrant green to more muted or yellowish hues.
Curing: Further degradation happens during curing. Curing involves storing the dried cannabis in airtight containers where the environment (temperature, humidity) is controlled. This period allows for a slower breakdown of chlorophyll, which is one reason why curing enhances the flavor and aroma of cannabis by reducing grassy or vegetative flavors associated with fresh chlorophyll.
Color Change:
As chlorophyll breaks down, other pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins, which were masked by the chlorophyll, might become more visible, giving leaves or buds different shades or colors.
Impact on Flavor and Aroma:
Freshly harvested cannabis has a strong, grassy taste due to high chlorophyll levels. The degradation of chlorophyll during drying and curing helps to mellow this taste, allowing other compounds like terpenes to become more prominent, which are responsible for the plant’s unique flavors and aromas.
Preservation of Cannabinoids:
While chlorophyll degradation is occurring, it’s crucial for growers to manage conditions to prevent the degradation of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Chlorophyll breakdown does not directly affect cannabinoid potency, but poor curing practices can lead to cannabinoid degradation.
Biochemical Process:
Chlorophyll is broken down into simpler compounds like pheophytin, chlorophyllides, and eventually into colorless degradation products. This breakdown is mediated by enzymes like chlorophyllase, which cleaves the phytol chain from chlorophyll, among other processes.
Environmental Factors:
The speed and extent of chlorophyll degradation can be influenced by factors like light, temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels during drying and curing.
In summary, the degradation of chlorophyll after cannabis harvest is a natural part of the drying and curing process, which not only changes the plant’s appearance but also significantly impacts its flavor profile, eventually leading to a more palatable and aromatic product. Proper management of this process is crucial for achieving the desired quality in cannabis.
How does temperature affect chlorophyll breakdown in post harvest cannabis
Temperature plays a crucial role in the post-harvest chlorophyll breakdown of cannabis, affecting both the speed and quality of the process:
Higher Temperatures:
Accelerated Degradation: Higher temperatures can speed up the enzymatic processes involved in chlorophyll breakdown. Enzymes like chlorophyllase work more efficiently at warmer temperatures, leading to faster degradation of chlorophyll, which can result in quicker drying but might compromise quality if not managed correctly.
Risk of Over-Drying: Too high a temperature can cause the plant material to dry too quickly, which might not allow for an optimal breakdown of chlorophyll. This can lead to a loss of moisture before other beneficial compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids have fully developed or stabilized.
Flavor and Aroma: Rapid breakdown at high temperatures might not give the plant enough time for the chemical reactions that enhance flavor and aroma, potentially leaving the cannabis with a more “green” or vegetative taste.
Potential for Damage: High temperatures can also damage delicate compounds, leading to a loss of potency or the development of harsh smoking qualities.
Lower Temperatures:
Slower Degradation: Cooler temperatures slow down the enzymatic activity, which can result in a slower, more controlled chlorophyll breakdown. This might be beneficial for preserving the plant’s chemical profile, allowing for a more nuanced flavor and aroma development during curing.
Moisture Retention: Lower temperatures help retain moisture longer, which can be good for a gradual curing process, allowing for the breakdown of chlorophyll without rushing other chemical processes.
Preservation of Terpenes: Many terpenes are volatile and can degrade or evaporate at higher temperatures. Curing at lower temperatures can help maintain these compounds, contributing to the final product’s smell and taste.
Risk of Mold: However, if temperatures are too low, especially in combination with high humidity, it can create conditions conducive to mold growth, which would be detrimental to both chlorophyll breakdown and overall product quality.
Optimal Temperature Range:
The generally recommended temperature for drying cannabis is between 60°F (15°C) and 70°F (21°C). This range allows for a balance where chlorophyll can break down without causing excessive damage to other compounds or risking mold.
During curing, slightly lower temperatures might be used, often around 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C), to slow down the process further, enhancing the development of flavors and aromas while still allowing for chlorophyll degradation.
Conclusion:
Temperature management post-harvest is about finding the right balance to facilitate chlorophyll breakdown while preserving or enhancing the quality aspects of cannabis. Monitoring and adjusting conditions based on observations can lead to the best outcomes. Each strain might have slight variations in how it responds to temperature changes, so some experimentation might be necessary for optimal results. Would you like to do a web search for more specific temperature guidelines or grower experiences with temperature management in cannabis drying and curing?
I did see alot of what you posted in my tests…
Warmer was quicker but in one of my strains it left a bad aftertaste… so maybe sharkmouse method would be better like i was saying getting to 70f i may have said 72f … either way going to 70f only may have been better… i saw chlorophyll dissipate quicker at higher temps… but its harder to maintain the flavor profiles
So next run i am going back to close to the cannatrol defaults but a tad warmer. 69.5f is where i try to stay below or at…
I really like that post man… alot of good info in it
Hey all ! Cannatrol owner here. Theres alot of numbers being thrown around in this thread. Where can i find the smf settings? And what other setting has been tested? Thanks in advance.
First real test run. I put three trays of runtz in this afternoon. it’s about 6hrs in and I can already see a good bit of water collecting in the tray. I’m noticing an odd gassy burnt rubber smell coming off. It’s gotta be coming off the bud, I had it running for days without bud and it smelled fine. Now it’s barely filled and it smells just awful.
I’ve run this cut many times before, she is a gasy candy cut I usually don’t get burnt terps.
I’ll keep a happy thought, I’m guessing the bud is just being temperamental.
So I threw in what i would consider a small to medium batch with the smf settings. The unit is in my basement so it only achieved 73 degrees and 54* humidity at the end of the first 24 hrs. Everything should smooth out in the next 48hrs.
Can someone give me a simple explanation of the slope vs. step setting? Ive seen some tweeking done with that. Is that worth toying with?
Also, is there any reason that after 5 days at smf settings that the flower has to sit in the trol for 2 weeks if we have achieved 10% moisture? Could it not be cured elsewhere?
You 100% could cure it elsewhere but be mindful to track rh with a small meter in the bag. I think the intention on keeping it in there for 2w is to verify the rh / moisture content has properly stabilized
I grow perpetual. I have adjusted my schedule for starting plants to work around the 8 days for the cannatrol on stock settings. I’m pretty leisurely in my growing habits lol. Then I bag them in the nice velvet feel terp lok bags and throw them in a tote in the crawl space, and start again.
No i did it different than jim… i had 4 stages, according to smf … its a 4 stage stepdown
What i found is with a very full cabinet it was too wet too long… using smf… im sure using any settings without extending the dry would have done the same. So if full extend dry days by at least 1
I’m up for it!
