I wanted to start this thread to help consolidate all the experiences of everyone trying to grow hops in Florida. Several of us on HBT have had success and failures with nearly every type of hop out there. We can use this thread to provide tips, tricks and of course our experience to break the old wives tail that hops won’t grow well in warm climates.
As my first year plants grow I’ll be documenting what I learn as I go. Please feel free to post your own progress of your own plants.
I’ve received three crowns from Great Lakes Hops (great company, I would definitely recommend them), a Centennial, a Galena and a Willemette. I planted all three on January 17, 2013. It’s been a very mild winter here with very few cold days. As per the directions from Great Lakes Hops suggested, I planted all three in a mound with very little of the crown above the dirt. I actually sprinkled extra potting soil over each crown after I had planted them and then shook the plant a little to even it out. I then placed my pots in a highly shaded area where they will stay for the next two weeks. I’ve watered very little in the first few weeks, keeping the soil moist but not wet, that has been about every three to four days. I have also been trying not to water the plant directly but around the plant to help the plant reach deep for the water thereby growing a bigger root system. After the two weeks is up I’ll begin a once a month fertilizer schedule. I did use miracle grow potting soil mixed with a little compost (about 80/20 ratio) so the soil already has a little fertilizer in it. I’m going to limit the amount of liquid fertilizer and focus more on pellets as they have a better slow release function and will provide the soil with better nutrients.
One thing I would have done differently is drill bigger drainage holes in the two half barrel pots. After talking to several other growers, the root systems will likely clog any small holes you create thereby creating a drainage issue later one. If the location I plan on putting them permanently works this year, I might just plant them in the ground instead of the pots.
As my first year plants grow I’ll be documenting what I learn as I go. Please feel free to post your own progress of your own plants.
I’ve received three crowns from Great Lakes Hops (great company, I would definitely recommend them), a Centennial, a Galena and a Willemette. I planted all three on January 17, 2013. It’s been a very mild winter here with very few cold days. As per the directions from Great Lakes Hops suggested, I planted all three in a mound with very little of the crown above the dirt. I actually sprinkled extra potting soil over each crown after I had planted them and then shook the plant a little to even it out. I then placed my pots in a highly shaded area where they will stay for the next two weeks. I’ve watered very little in the first few weeks, keeping the soil moist but not wet, that has been about every three to four days. I have also been trying not to water the plant directly but around the plant to help the plant reach deep for the water thereby growing a bigger root system. After the two weeks is up I’ll begin a once a month fertilizer schedule. I did use miracle grow potting soil mixed with a little compost (about 80/20 ratio) so the soil already has a little fertilizer in it. I’m going to limit the amount of liquid fertilizer and focus more on pellets as they have a better slow release function and will provide the soil with better nutrients.
One thing I would have done differently is drill bigger drainage holes in the two half barrel pots. After talking to several other growers, the root systems will likely clog any small holes you create thereby creating a drainage issue later one. If the location I plan on putting them permanently works this year, I might just plant them in the ground instead of the pots.