Florida first year hops
 

Here are some pictures of my first year cascade hop rhizomes I planted here in fl. If you notice in the third and fourth pic they are flowering. I thought it was to early for the plant to start doing this. Any help would be greatly appreciated

My Magnum and Chinook started flowering this week also.

You should be glad they did - flowering is triggered by length of day, and our days are only getting shorter now that the solstice has passed. Length of daylight is longer up north where hops are usually grown. I can't answer when hops start flowering in other regions, though.

Thanks. I was planning on a wet hop ale in the fall for the harvest but if my plants are going to produce sooner I guess I've gotta drink some beer :) I am also very thrilled that I am going to get some production. I wasn't expecting any production since they are first year rhizomes

Congrats on your hops. Theyre looking good.

My question is. How do I know when the cones are ready for harvesting??

That is awesome! I am planning on growing some hops but I thought it was too hot down here. You've definitely given me a boost of confidence.
Where did you get them? from a website? Keep up the good work!

First year hops should not be allowed to flower/set seed. As soon as one appears nip it out. This will concentrate all the plants efforts into producing a stronger rhizome for next years harvest. You wont have any hops this season but next year you will have a much bigger crop.

To Johnnyboy: thanx fir the info I didn't realize it is more beneficial to cut the flowers as they com out on first year plants

To amusedbystander: I got one rhizome from freshhops.com and the other two I planted from a members four year old cascade plant. I planted them late March and they took off so far.

I guess I will be cutting all the burs and the few cones that have produced in the knowledge that it is better fir the longevity of my plsnts

thejiro - Those plants look to be doing great! Congrats on the growth so far!
As far as your harvest question goes, that was my quandry last year. My best descriptors is when they feel like a ball of tissue paper. Light, papery and will spring back. Also, if you tear one open, you'll see lots of yellow/gold lupulin.
Here is a quick phone video I made and sent to a friend and harvested the next day:
http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g82/SuperTedMaximus/Hops/?action=view&current=video-2010-09-02-18-01-41.mp4
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...9-02180617.jpg


johnnyboy, I'll never claim to be an expert but I disagree. I got about 11oz from two first-year Cascades last year and they are going absolutely insane this year.

7/6/2010:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...s/DSC_6857.jpg

2010 just before harvest:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...s/DSC_7078.jpg

6/30/2011
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...s/DSC_9484.jpg