I'd write this year off as an establishment year learning experience (you and the plants). If they do the same thing next year it's probably some type of bug in the soil (virus/nutrient etc.). Do you have other varieties growing and do they have similar problems? Is it just the cones or does the whole plant show irregular growth? Lots of variables could be at work here . . . sorry, but nothing jumps out and screams "I'm the problem" at this point.