drying and curing

[ZigZag]

Even though I grew the same strain, some of the plants have taken up to two weeks longer than anticipated. 1/3 of buds are now dried and curing well, stable at 60-62%. The other third are almost dry, maybe another day or two. Problem is I may end up with some of the larger colas not being dried/cured long enough that they are stable in the jars before I have to leave and can't check on them for 4-5 days. Since I have a dehumidifier the humidity in the drying/curing area can be adjusted so its in the 45-55% range. I'm thinking of placing each cola by itself in a quart jar with a small hole in the lid- to let some of the moisture escape but not allow the colas to dry too much before I can check them. Or maybe placing them in a jar with a piece of cloth cut to fit over the top of the jar and screwed down tight over the mouth. Premise is that one of these methods might help to keep some of the moisture in, while allowing some to escape, without allowing them to touch each other....
Anyone have any previous experience under such circumstances or have any suggestions that might help?
Thanks!
Oh yeah, the last third of the plants will be ready to harvest and begin drying the day before I leave so I'm not really worried about them. They should be about a 1/2-3/4 of the way dry by the time I get back_ the drying environment and time has been stable (for the last two harvests) at about 5-8 days with the dehumidifier set at 45% (it ranges from 40-50%). Once they are jared to cure, they maintain a humidity of about 55-65% right away, adjusted daily for the first two weeks, after which they have remained stable at 58-62%.

 

[Flockshot]

Well, if you jar them up for 5 days with too much moisture, there is a good chance they will be moldy when you get back. I would error on the 'little too dry' side if I were you. Just saying.

 

[ZigZag]

Thanks to Carlsoti and Flockshot for your advise. I think I'll try the paper bag method....I just trimmed the smaller buds from the lower ends and left the largest colas hanging from the branches. The smaller buds_about thumb sized, are dry on the outside but not crunchy.... so I put them in jars and am going to check them every three hours. The larger colas are dry on the outside but still moist on the inside.Tomorrow will be the 7th day drying so I'm planning on taking them down and placing into paper bags as suggested, with a hydrometer inside with them. I'll check it at east twice a day to monitor_ still have 3 days until I have to leave. If there is 65-70% moisture inside the bags the night before I leave I'll just keep them in the bags until I get back. If the hydrometer indicates <58% when I return then I'll put them into jars with a Boveda pouch to rehydrate and check every day until they stabilize. Last time I dried one of the plants a bit too much_ it stabilized at about 52% in the quart jars so I put two Boveda pouches into each jar and after 3 days they stabilized at 60-62%. Took the pouches out and for the last three months they've been at 61-62%....well except for one jar that is now only a memory!
Thank you both for your quick replies.