A location to dry your hemp should be determined before you even put plants in the ground. It’s a detail that could potentially be overlooked, but it’s of the upmost importance that the drying process begins immediately after harvest. The plants will be full of moisture once taken from the ground, so a proper drying facility is vital in order to prevent the plant material from molding. Structures such as a barn with a roof, walls and a large open space are ideal for drying.
Solid ventilation is very important, so hanging the floral biomass spaced appropriately along strings or set on open racks are the two most commonly used drying setups. Several industrial fans should be utilized during and after the plants are set up in the drying structure. The temperature in your drying space should sit somewhere between 60-70 degrees F, and a humidity of 60% should be maintained.
While some growers will rush through the drying process, this runs the risk of improperly drying the flower and leaves a chance that the buds will rot from within. Ideally, a slow-dry process with consistently high airflow will cure the hemp and produce and higher-quality product.
Farmers have found that hanging whole plants upside down on wires is inefficient, as the resulting closed umbrella shaped plants will prevent ventilation in the center. Due to this effect, growers are advised to dry individual branches of flower. Although this is a bit more intensive, it will pay off in the long run with properly dried biomass, and a higher market price.