Hey guys, I just wanted to do a quick survey and try to gain some advice on how to/or whether to trim hops.
Here is the situation, I am in the second year of growing (in Kansas City). First year i did no trimming or pruning and let the hops train up a rope trellis. I have 4 plants, a sterling, willamette, cascade, and centennial. This year all are doing exceptionally well. The willamette is about 5.5 feet and the cascade is well beyond 10 feet tall, with sterling and centennial in between. I have limited each plant to 4-6 bines on the trellis.
The question I have, or the feedback I'd like to get, is whether it is worthwhile trimming off the side growth (off shoots or whatever you call them) from the ground up to 2-3 feet? I have heard people go both ways.
Last year I had some issues with aphids and potentially a type of mildew, which I resolved with compost tea spray.
Any thoughts or comments would be well appreciated.
Thanks!
Here is the situation, I am in the second year of growing (in Kansas City). First year i did no trimming or pruning and let the hops train up a rope trellis. I have 4 plants, a sterling, willamette, cascade, and centennial. This year all are doing exceptionally well. The willamette is about 5.5 feet and the cascade is well beyond 10 feet tall, with sterling and centennial in between. I have limited each plant to 4-6 bines on the trellis.
The question I have, or the feedback I'd like to get, is whether it is worthwhile trimming off the side growth (off shoots or whatever you call them) from the ground up to 2-3 feet? I have heard people go both ways.
Last year I had some issues with aphids and potentially a type of mildew, which I resolved with compost tea spray.
Any thoughts or comments would be well appreciated.
Thanks!