Should I at least have sprouts by now?

[phbern]

Hi!

This is my second year trying to grow hops. I was pretty happy with how they turned out last year - not many hops, but all grew taller than me, which is what I expected. I have them in large pots that get a good amount of afternoon sun, water and fertilized. I live in the Syracuse area, and the weather lately has been on the cool and wet side. At the end of last season, I cut them back, gave them a little more fertilizer and covered them with a few inches of mulch. When the weather got a little nicer, I moved the mulch aside, fertilized and watered. So far, though, I don't even have any sprouts - see the pics below. The plants were 1-2 feet tall by this time last year. Are they dead? Am I just being impatient? Is there something more I should be doing?

Thanks!

 

[Kent88]

I'd say they're probably dead, but I don't know about your specific climate or plants.

 

[Homebrew Harry]

I hope I am wrong for your sake, but I think that they might have froze to death since they were in containers.

 

[phbern]

Yes, I think that is what happened. I dug one up the other day and it was completely soaked - the pots hadn't drained properly over the winter. Live and learn! I have new plants and a raised bed kit waiting for me at home!