Afaik they need to be a bit just a bit moister. Shortly before the cracking stem theory.From what i've learned you cob them at the same time like you would put them dry in the jars... So a little rest humidity.
I mean its a spectrum and it depends on the individual recipe, but thats the trick and key with cobbing i think. The right moisturement ifa word like this is exists.
And as far as cobbing already dried flower. Ive read in the cob thread from someone who had success with inoculating. Taking fresher more wet material and mixing it with the dry and than cob processing as usual. Greets and nice flower there!!
Ive only grown One hon pan. About 100 days 11/13, purple, violet and gassy smelling. Growing everywhere with spindly buds that swell later. Crazy structure, yielded good. Effect was dreamy and a bit heavy afairc. I want to grow another one someday and experience the green expeession.