If the collar were metal, it would probably be pretty functional. The system I used was just easier to build and it supported more plants spread further apart. In the video, I only had 4 climbers but I now know I can pack more in as long as they are the same variety.
I used 2 chain link fence top poles for each setup. I couldn't dig too far down so I added more support with a 1x6 that I bolted to the garden boxes I built. I put a eyebolt thru the top and ran a rope up thru it with a loop on the end. I ran my sisal rope to the loop. The PLAN was to be able to lower the bines down to harvest. Somebody forgot to tell the bines about the plan...they wrapped themselves around the top of the pole and the ropes etc. This actually wasn't a problem since my poles come apart so I just took them down to harvest.
I used 2 chain link fence top poles for each setup. I couldn't dig too far down so I added more support with a 1x6 that I bolted to the garden boxes I built. I put a eyebolt thru the top and ran a rope up thru it with a loop on the end. I ran my sisal rope to the loop. The PLAN was to be able to lower the bines down to harvest. Somebody forgot to tell the bines about the plan...they wrapped themselves around the top of the pole and the ropes etc. This actually wasn't a problem since my poles come apart so I just took them down to harvest.
The poles you choose should depend upon what type of hop growing operation you are planning.
If you going [commercial] with a larger hopyard with intent on selling the hops or rhizomes - I would suggest using black locust as my 1st choice http://delicious.com/fattymattybrewing/black_locust and cedar as my second choice.
If your hop growing plans include a hobby- or personal-yard (say under 50? plants) I would use anything from tee-pee poles to galvanized metal fencing poles to fabricated wood! Here is how I did it with long boughs [14 feet] from around the yard. Here's how I started a small trial plot in 2006... http://www.fattymattybrewing.com/ingredients/displayimage.php?album=302&pos=1
My hops grow in large pots and I live in military housing so my poles can't be permanent.
I have a fence that surrounds the area where my garbage cans go.
I wire 4x4x8' poles to it and then clamp on a 10' piece of electrical conduit with a screw in U type clamp. That gives me about 19' of pole which works out pretty good. Easy to remove in the fall too.
The poles you choose should depend upon what type of hop growing operation you are planning.
If you going [commercial] with a larger hopyard with intent on selling the hops or rhizomes - I would suggest using black locust as my 1st choice http://delicious.com/fattymattybrewing/black_locust and cedar as my second choice.
If your hop growing plans include a hobby- or personal-yard (say under 50? plants) I would use anything from tee-pee poles to galvanized metal fencing poles to fabricated wood! Here is how I did it with long boughs [14 feet] from around the yard. Here's how I started a small trial plot in 2006... http://www.fattymattybrewing.com/ingredients/displayimage.php?album=302&pos=1
Cheers
I am just doing this as part of extending my hobby into the garden.
Plus i am a tight wad so if i can grow my hops and dont have to buy any more the better.
Came to the idea, I am going to put black fabric down on the area to control weeds. Run a line from the sprinkler system to the hop area so i dont have to water them every day.
Just got to figure what i am putting on top of the fabric to keep it in place.
Dont want to do rock or bark...way to much of a pain to remove if it doesnt work out in this area or i choose to exspand.
When was your video shot? Is this new for 2010, or did you use it for the 2009 crop. Curious what the bend was like with full growth.
Hmm, didn't see this earlier. That was in prep for last year's growing. There was really no bend in the poles at all because the main horizontal line was also guy-supports kind of like how a tight rope stays tight.
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