Dry climate resting/aging advice please ...

[Twilliger]

Where I live (Calgary,AB) the relative humidity hovers around 50% so that is an important context for my question as I try to get the resting/aging thing right. In a video I heard about the 48 guideline, smoke it within 48 hours or rest it for 48 days. Those that I have smoked after 24 hours of dry boxing don't tend to burn that well with tunnelling being the primary issue. However, if I dry box for 48 hours, sometimes the wrapper will crack a little which is quite disappointing. I have two humidors, one at 70% and one at 65%. Another factor may be length of time in the paper mold.

Given the room RH what are peoples thoughts on:
How long to leave in paper mold before wrapping?
How long to dry box? Or when to put in the humidor, and to go into the 70% and then the 65%?
The "sick" period between days 2 and 14?

As with all things, "it depends" but I am really interested in what you do, or what you would do if you lived in a dry climate but had a couple of humidification options.
The wealth of experience and willingness to share on these boards amazing and a huge help to newbie like myself.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

In Edmonton, I bunch, wait 12-24 hrs, wrap, leave on the counter for an hour, then put in my humidor at 75% for a week, rotating the humidor daily, then smoke. No dry box.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I'm talking about wood and plastic molds, not paper molds.

 

[tullius]

Where I live (Calgary,AB) the relative humidity hovers around 50%

Ambient rh is too dry where you're at, I have the same problem in the winter. Increase the ambient rh to that of Cuba before and while rolling.

After wrapping, dry down some and then put in good humidor for several weeks. Or smoke after 2-24hrs. Preferably both.

 

[Twilliger]

Thanks CV and Tullius - bunched two tonight, gonna leave 'em in their paper molds overnight, wrap 'em in the morning, smoke one in the evening and stick the other in the humidor.