I like to trim the whole plant first, while it's still in the pot, then cut it off at the base of the stalk, hang it intact for 4-5 days or until the outsides of the buds are starting to get crispy. Then I'll cut the buds off of the stems into paper grocery bags, and leave them open in the drying area for a couple days--shaking them up a couple times per day, then close up the bag and leave for a couple more days (shaking every day), then into jars to cure for up to 3 months, burping every day for the first couple weeks, then every few days for the next month or so. Works for me. I only grow for personal use, however, so I don't care too much about a "show" quality trimming, but I do care about a good cure.