What the Heck am I Growing?

So, long story short, a couple years ago my wife and I took over my parents house. My mother had planted some hops in the backyard as decoration. Last year I harvested some, thinking they were either Nugget or Cascade. I could be completely wrong. But they had a very pleasant, almost sweet, piney scent, and they bittered quite well.
However, this year I pulled a couple cones and they don' have the same scent at all. The have a very strong citrus profile this year, no pine at all. Same rhizomes as last year though.

You are certain they are hops and not another "member" of the family lol

No effects to indicate something other than hops, especially something in the same family.

Could be a variety that has both characteristics and your soil conditions have changed to favor one over the other. Google "hop wheel" and you'll get a good site on hops and their flavors/scents

The citrus profile you mention suggests it could very well be Cascade.

Something interesting I heard on a podcast. depending on when you harvest (ie now or waiting couple months) you can get different flavor aspects from the hops. One of the brewery's that was on the show has to take a certain hop at a certain time to get the flavor's they are looking for if they wait too long they lose the piney aspect of the hop. Take this for what it's worth, Not saying this is true with all hops though, but that might be why you are getting different flavor notes.

How about the possibility there are 2 different varieties growing and one is getting better conditions this year than last?

donbrew said:

How about the possibility there are 2 different varieties growing and one is getting better conditions this year than last?

Click to expand...

Hadn't thought of that one. Mom swears she only planted one type though.