Hops ready yet?. No smell...

I'm in Australia so hops are starting to mature at this time of year.

From what I have read my 'Goldings' and soon my 'Chinook' are ready to pick.

They are only first year plants, the cones are starting to brown and feel thin, BUT not smell just a grassy smell.

Have taken these ones off and dried and still no smell.

Any feedback, was hoping to be getting some smell from a 1 year old plant.

Am I being reasonable?

Cheers
Dave

 

Cut them in half lengthwise, the yellow lupulin "grains" should be at least 1/2 the way out from the middle. If they are you are golden, also you can rub some between your hands to get the aroma.

 

Looking at those cones, they don't look very well developed at all.

Next time you shoot a pic of cones, put a coin in the picture so the scale can be visualized...

Cheers!

 

I agree. Those don't looked fully developed. If you are having problems with browning this early it may be a pest, underwatering, or a disease causing the problem. Make sure you are giving them plenty of water and check both sides of the leaves for signs of insects or dissease.