Vernalizing Hops
 

Evidently hops need to "winter". This means that southern growers may need to consider this.

I have read of growers digging up their rhizomes and refridgerating them for a couple of months in between seasons. This alone would make me re-consider growing if I lived in Florida, Texas, etc..

Well, I clipped my bines in late October and moved my root-ball and crown inside to overwinter. I have 3" long bine shoots now. I moved them inside to act as a decremental spire cover for our indoor planting area this year. Like I said though, these didn't stay outside before sprouting so I can't talk about that, but they seem to be growing well and I am in southern Oklahoma.

Yes, I must admit that I didn't pay too much attention to the particulars since we have full on winters here. I am not sure if the detriment came at flowering, vegetative growth, AA dropping, or what. But some pretty experienced growers were talking about packing bags of ice on their mounds covered with upside down coolers. There must have been good reason.

Hmm, interesting. I will have an experiment to prove it eaither way :D

I didn't know this, thanks. Its not an issue for me, but its good to know...

Yeah, not trying to spoil it for anyone, just wanted to let people know.

I'll try to remember to ask one of the local pros at this week's meeting. I don't remember seeing any specifics, but this might be one of the reasons hops don't flower as well down south.

Best way to answer this would be to email Dave Wills at Freshops. He always responds promptly.

dave@freshops.com

My source Bill Velick recently recanted his earlier statement citing the fact that australian farmers have no real winter but produce abundant crops........:(

I'll post back later this year if my hops flower. This will be their second year and while i have no winter weather I do have a severe dry season. My hops died back in October and I did not water them until early Feb. They are now about 4" tall and looking good. Only time will tell.