Why do

Why do hops fail when grown hydroponically? Not that they can't grow , but fail testing?

A quick search for hydroponically grown hops uncovered several successful locations. Just curious, what makes you think they fail?

http://www.brewingkb.com/equipment/growing-cacade-hops-hydroponically-3062.html
http://www.generalhydroponics.com/blog/2009/07/22/growing-hops-at-general-hydroponics/

One could argue hops are related to cannabis which is grown successfully in hydroponics. That may not be a valid comparison. Tomatoes are related to potatoes but require different care and conditions.

Epimetheus failure in Alpha test. The growth is amazing. I just see it is missing something. Nerds like me want to know.

Lighting and fertility will most likely play big in the scenario along with the hydro plants not having the opportunity to vernalize which is kinda important. Also, when it comes to comparing hemp and hops, one is perennial and the other annual. I've never grown hydroponically but I do know that if a hop plant is left in the ground for a few years, the root system will become enormous. Does it have the chance to grow like it normally would in the ground while being under a hydroponic regime? That may be a limiting factor, I just haven't seen any long term results/observations of hops grown that way.

From the sample one of my friends go from a grower they were fragrant and a good size. The alpha test not so hot. I might putz around with doing it in aquaponics instead of hydropincs and see if that makes a difference. Thanks for your help.