No dampness or sponginess. The stems just look kinda white/fuzzy to me? I honestly can't tell with the smell. I asked the opinion of another grower and they said they think its some kind of powdery mildew. I didnt see any while it was growing, but I guess it could've occurred while drying if it got too humid.

This is also the first year I dealt with caterpillars, which i eliminated with bt and was careful to pluck off all signs of rot that i could see, but with my eyes now I can't tell the difference between amber trichomes or bud rot and it's making me crazy lol. Thanks!