Hops in Planters - Austin, TX

VVino · 03-28-2011, 06:49 PM

Took a couple days vacation to spend time with friends visiting from NYC and was inspired to start documenting my attempt to grow hops here in Austin, TX. I've read a few stories about growing hops here in the central to south Texas area. Most have ended in tragedy.

The common source of failure seems to be the wicked central Texas summer. Temperatures commonly reach (and stay in) the 100s during July, August, and part of September. Sometimes this can start as early as June. To compound the problem, multi-week droughts are also common during this time of the year. Cloud cover is minimal.

To make things more interesting, I also decided to plant the hops in pots. This adds more potential problems: proper soil mix, drainage, overheating, dry-out, nutrients, root bound, etc. Planers were chosen not to make growing easier, but instead to add to the decor of our beautiful new cedar deck we had built earlier this spring.

First i'll address what steps I've taken to mitigate the both the coming central Texas summer heatwave and the growth in planters issues:

Use really big pots (24" diameter, hold 3 cubic feet of soil).
Used a 2:1 mix of Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Soil to Composted Soil.
Drill multple holes in the outer base of planters.
Plan to add mulch on top of soil after bines are trained.
Water twice daily (morning and evening).
Add miracle grow liquid fertilizer once per week.
Start growing ASAP to harvest cones as early in the season as possible (before the heatwave comes!)

I plan to make periodic updates throughout the growing season, so more to come. I'm also very open to any suggestions anyone may have.

All hops were ordered from http://www.freshops.com

Wish us luck!

VVino · 03-28-2011, 07:31 PM

Beginning of Week 2
(Pictures taken on 3/28/2011)

Overview
(In counter clockwise order starting from the far left: Centennial, Nugget, Cascade, Mt. Hood, Willamette)

Willamette
(Clearly in the lead. However, was the only "jumbo" rhizome I ordered.)

Mt Hood
(Next largest growth. Second picture to show planter & drilled drainage holes.)

Cascade
(Emerged about 4 days ago.)

Nugget
(Last to sprout. Was a little concerned it was DOA but seems healthy now.)

Centennial
(3rd best growth. You can see our little garden and compost pile in the background

)

**Retrofit** · 03-28-2011, 07:41 PM

O think you have a good plan. Are you familiar with soaker hoses. There are versions that a just a ring, to surround a plant or tree. I suggest putting these on top of your plants and using a timer to keep them wet (assuming drainage is great).
Last year I discovered a new issue. The hops on the side of my house (cream colored siding) were getting burned by the sun reflecting off the hot siding. I point this out because heat is certainly an issue but sin light can be an issue depending on placement. The hops on the side of my house have a clean 20' to grow. The ones in the backyard only 10'. Some of the ones in back do better because they aren't suffering the burn from the houses siding.

Just more things to consider as you plot your success.

**Retrofit** · 03-28-2011, 08:08 PM

Those are nice pots- envy. Another to point out if you keep at this after year two you need major trimming or even larger pots. Trimming is likely bettered suited to your home. Another thing to remember is they are all hops but they are diiferent hops. So if one is growing faster than another or producing more don't look at the slow low yield plant and think what's wrong? It's probably fine just different. My 4 year olds aren't even out of the ground. More envy. Good luck.

VVino · 03-28-2011, 08:12 PM

Plastic Planters - $25 ea.

Better Homes and Gardens 24'' Bombay Planter, Red Sedona
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-24-Bombay-Planter-Red-Sedona/13072119

They're out of that color but still have some others in stock.

I would have loved to get some ceramic or clay but in that size we're talking > $100 ea

scsi · 03-28-2011, 08:18 PM

Subscribed. I've been wanting to grow my own, but... well, haven't gotten around to it yet. Cant wait to see how yours turn out!

ashford · 03-29-2011, 03:47 AM

Good luck with the hops! My single surviving Cascade from last year is happy this year and hitting about 4' now with three strong bines. The Houston heat pretty much shut growth down by mid July.

ReverseApacheMaster · 03-29-2011, 04:02 AM

I'm jealous you have that much growth in only two weeks. I planted three varieties a week ago and so far I have a single small shoot. I did build a mound over them for drainage, so it may take a while but I wish the others would start popping out.

VVino · 03-29-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReverseApacheMaster

I did build a mound over them for drainage, so it may take a while but I wish the others would start popping out.

I only put them 1-2" under. Most of the rhizomes had little buds sprouting out when I received them from freshops. I think I ordered them the first or second day they went on sale.

How deep to the rhizome is your mound?

ReverseApacheMaster · 03-29-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVino

I only put them 1-2" under. Most of the rhizomes had little buds sprouting out when I received them from freshops. I think I ordered them the first or second day they went on sale.

How deep to the rhizome is your mound?

Several inches. They may be as much as six inches down, which is why I'm not concerned they haven't peeked out yet. Just jealous.

We are getting some rain this week so I probably won't mess with them but when it dries out this weekend I will probably try to carefully loosen the mounds and liberate any shoots I can find.