some of my jars will smell like hay or a light mildew smell when curing.i dry for 14 days at 55 humidty at around 74 degrees.i know that is a pretty good dry so im not surr whats up.when this happens i always take my nuggs out for inspection and i never see mold,whats going on?
The hay smell is normal its actually a response to being cut that plants have (Green Leaf Volatiles; think cutting the grass), and the longer you cure the more the good smells come in, Now if you smell mildew that is a sign of too much moisture inside the jar and that is no good means the buds need to sit out an hour or two to release some of the moisture.
Are you burping them some moments per day?
Smell will stabilize after 2-4 weeks of curing, after proper drying.
Buds with RH below 62% won't cure at all, cure process will halt entirely.
Happy smokes!