I have to say also, the whole reason why I even tried this, is because I read a post somewhere else on this site that somebody said a friend of theres does that with his entire grow room, that he just closes the door shuts off the light/vents/everything and opens it up like a month later and the poster said that the guy has "some of the best stuff in town". So after I read that, is when I got the idea to try it, months ago though before I even grew this batch.
Sounds stupid. So he pretty much wastes a month time worth of growing to do an improper cure?
Ive tried about 10 different methods of curing, from dry ice, to drowning the plant, to regular old air curing. Ive even tried the "leave your plant to die" method. I've found that people like to mis-attribute the final product to a specific type of curing, even though every process tries to do the same thing: convert chlorophyll and other plant chemicals into starches and sugars.
For example, the "leave your plant alone" method might seem like it produces a better taste than the old air-cure method. This is a fallacy. Most people air-cure way too fast, because they have no way of controlling the humidity. This causes their bud to have higher chlorophyll content, which makes their bud taste spicier and harsher (some people think its "more potent". Its not. Trust me.) If you leave your plant alone, it will cure slower because of the moisture in the soil, but this isnt exactly the best way to cure. You have a higher probability of insects, and mold developing.
Like ive said before, most people cure way too fast. I cure the following way:
1. Cut stem at base
2. Put the chopped plant into a vase and let sit for about 10-24 hrs (this draws water up into the plant, and allows for a longer cure and much smoother smoke)
3. Leaving ALL leaves on, hang the entire plant upside down in a dark room, humidity set at 65 (if you have higher humidity, you could chop the plant up into smaller sections to reduce the risk of mold)
4. After about a week, when the bud is dry (but not completely dry) can it.
5. Open the can for about 4 hrs every day until you reach your specified water content (usually about 3-5%)
6. Let the canned weed sit for 1-2 months. At this point, your weed should taste smooth and hit hard. Trust me, wait at least a month before you smoke the weed. It will taste and smoke completely different than canned weed thats only been canned for a week.
Other notable methods of curing involve fermentation, which gives a much more powerful taste. You need a LOT of bud though, probably about 2 pounds minimum. Dry ice/freeze curing also works, but IMO produces about the same results as a good air cure.