Pruning/Training Hop Vine

I have new rhizomes in the ground and most of them have put out many side shoots. My instinct says to let as much grow as possible to get good energy production with more leaves. I believe somewhere here I read that all but a single runner should be pruned out. Anyone have any input?

Pick the two or three longest runners and start training them. Cut back everything else and keep it cut back until late August. Having a bunch of shoots near the ground is an invitation for mildew.

how do you tell when the flowers are mature for picking?

I was just listening to a pod cast with Dave Wills (Freshops) who recommends letting all the shoots grow the first season and then afterward pick 5-6 of the most vigorous shoots thereafter. Alot does depend on how you are trellising them and what your goals are.

You try to open the cones, much like a mini-pine cone, and look for the pollen.

If there pollen between the brachules then it's time to dry.

Harvesting is usually done in late August/early Sep.

homebrewer_99 said:

You try to open the cones, much like a min-pine cone, and look for the pollen.

Click to expand...

EAC clarification: pollen = LUPULIN.

Got Trub? said:

I was just listening to a pod cast with Dave Wills (Freshops) who recommends letting all the shoots grow the first season and then afterward pick 5-6 of the most vigorous shoots thereafter. Alot does depend on how you are trellising them and what your goals are.

Click to expand...

this is what i have done, since it is my first year. i have a couple varieties that are growing like Schwarzen-hops! i have not cut the first shoot because i am trying to establish a solid root base. Let 'em grow! next year i will try to be more selective.
i put five varieties in the ground this year: Cascade, Willamette, Galena, Nuggett, and Hallertauer. Everything came up except the Cascade. next year i will purchase a Jumbo rizome of Cascade.

Dude said:

EAC clarification: pollen = LUPULIN.

Click to expand...

I figured if he didn't know what to look for he sure couldn't spell it...so I used the KISS explanation.

turfguy1969 said:

how do you tell when the flowers are mature for picking?

Click to expand...

Just finished the podcast with Dave Wills. He states it takes some practice and recommended harvesting over time to get a feel for when they are really ripe. The cones should become papery and even have a tinge of brown unless they are in a windy location. They should also become brittle when you bend them and if you open them up there should be plump clusters of lupulin. In terms of storage he recommended just air drying in a non-sunny location or use a food dehydrator if you have one and store in ziplocks with the air crushed out and in your deep freeze.

Heres a link to the podcast: http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?page=60

Its the "growing Hops at Home" episode April 6th

Check for the pollen... in about Aug/Sep.