darkdog50
Member
I am a newbee at the hop growing game, having planted 16 new rhyzomes ( 10 varieties ) in the last month-and-a-half. I have tried to follow the advice of you old-timers on this forum, regarding soil-prep, fertilizing & watering etc., but I seem to have a problem with the tips of my shoots ( apparantly ) breaking off, when the plants get about 3" to 4" high. Only my earliest plantings ( Sterling Fuggles & Galena ) have managed to get that high, and only the Fuggles have made it to 3" without breaking! I live in So Cal, in a fairly wind-sheltered ( prevailing westerlies ) area, so am doubtful that that is the problem. We get some pretty good Santa Annas here, but those usually come in the fall and winter ( BTW I lived in Oklahoma for 2 years, so I know what REAL wind is like ). I have evidence of deer strolling around at night, but the broken plants are inside tomato cages, which have not been disturbed. Also, none of the leaves have been touched.
I did notice a lone bunny a week ago, so I planted some Marigolds amongst the hops & voila! something ate part of the Marigold flowers, but no leaves, and no hop leaves.
Anyone else had this problem?? If so, what conclusions/solutions were reached?
I did notice a lone bunny a week ago, so I planted some Marigolds amongst the hops & voila! something ate part of the Marigold flowers, but no leaves, and no hop leaves.
Anyone else had this problem?? If so, what conclusions/solutions were reached?