2016 Hop Growing Thread

[BlackIce]

This is my 1st year going hops. I'm starting with Cascade, Chinook, Columbia and Centennial. All purchased from greatlakeshops. I'm going to put 2 of them in boxes. Then Im going to run 2 of them down my fence. I'll post a pic of that once I get that done. Edit I found out I had Columbia and not Columbus.

 

[DurtyChemist]

Nice setup. I may go to something similar in the future.

 

[thaymond]

This is my 1st year going hops. I'm starting with Cascade, Chinook, Columbus and Centennial. All purchased from greatlakeshops. I'm going to put 2 of them in boxes. Then Im going to run 2 of them down my fence. I'll post a pic of that once I get that done

Looking good! Having the space between boxes will be something you won't regret. I'm half tempted to dig mine all up and add the space in between boxes.

 

[WilliamSlayer]

This is my 1st year going hops. I'm starting with Cascade, Chinook, Columbus and Centennial. All purchased from greatlakeshops. I'm going to put 2 of them in boxes. Then Im going to run 2 of them down my fence. I'll post a pic of that once I get that done

I took inspiration from thaymond last year and created 2 'cages' just like yours. Really nice setup and I was very happy with how it contained the the hop 'beasts' to a manageable area.

Unfortunately they are predicting a cold snap / snow (ugh!) here in MD later this week, so I have held off on uncovering my soil. Hoping to do so in the next few weeks!

 

[BlackIce]

I took inspiration from thaymond last year and created 2 'cages' just like yours. Really nice setup and I was very happy with how it contained the the hop 'beasts' to a manageable area.

Unfortunately they are predicting a cold snap / snow (ugh!) here in MD later this week, so I have held off on uncovering my soil. Hoping to do so in the next few weeks!

I think it will work out well. I think here in MI we are done with snow but it has been cold at night so I have a good mound of dirt on each hop. Here is my 2nd set up. Im going to try and run them down my fence line. They will get sun all day long so this should help with the morning dew on the plants. Im just not sure if the top runs will shade the bottom ones once they grow.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/108296554587171048972/posts/g82cAzpoTUB?pid=6264501655591163666&oid=108296554587171048972

 

[ss4ivan]

Utah grower...last year I planted 2 centennials and one warrior. The centennials provided about 9oz wet hops. They are shooting purple asparagus at the moment. The warrior provided nothing last year but has a few bines already. Still getting down to freezing on some nights but the bines keep growing!

 

[ThatVideoKid]

I am moving in late May, if I buy some rhizomes now, and plant them in large pots, will that have too much growth to move about 10 miles? I'm in Southern NH, so zone 5a/5b

 

[sablesurfer]

I am moving in late May, if I buy some rhizomes now, and plant them in large pots, will that have too much growth to move about 10 miles? I'm in Southern NH, so zone 5a/5b

Not for new rhizomes. You'll get a few sprouts and I have easily just coiled the bines up in the pots when I needed to move pots around. As long as the time out of the sun is minimal, should be fine.

 

[ThatVideoKid]

Not for new rhizomes. You'll get a few sprouts and I have easily just coiled the bines up in the pots when I needed to move pots around. As long as the time out of the sun is minimal, should be fine.

Well my plan was to get a Columbia from Great Lakes(due to their huge selection, if anyone knows anything about Columbia let me know, it sounded interesting), so I guess that'll take off too quickly. Maybe since it is a bigger plant it will be able to still take off if I don't plant it until late May?

 

[BlackIce]

Well my plan was to get a Columbia from Great Lakes(due to their huge selection, if anyone knows anything about Columbia let me know, it sounded interesting), so I guess that'll take off too quickly. Maybe since it is a bigger plant it will be able to still take off if I don't plant it until late May?

I do have Columbia from them. I screwed up when I looked over my order(wanted Columbus). I do not know a lot about it yet but If i find something out Ill let you know

 

[s0615353]

I got a planter from a friend who left two rhizomes outside for 3-4 years and did not water, or fertilize. I gave the plants some TLC, and already they are about 7 inches tall. Looking at these two planters (and my 10 foot long trellis):

1. When should I start cutting vines.
2. How many vines should I leave (I was thinking 8-12 per plant).

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1458760088.004863.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1458760110.088399.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1458760127.330784.jpg

Thanks for the helping a first year hop grower!

 

[BlackIce]

Im a 1st year grower also but from what i have been reading. You should cut everything back until the 1st week in May.

Basic Brewing Radio had a good podcast on this.
http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/4/9/5/4950b59151d67ded/bbr03-03-16springtimehops.mp3?c_id=11078830&expiration=1457639980&hwt=5bbc19f5f2cc120ff84c31a01a3288ef

 

[s0615353]

Thank you for the info! Has anyone found the beginning of May to be a good timeframe for New Jersey(vs. Wisconsin where this hop farmer was at)?It has a slightly more northern latitude, so it should be similar, right?

 

[thaymond]

Thank you for the info! Has anyone found the beginning of May to be a good timeframe for New Jersey(vs. Wisconsin where this hop farmer was at)?It has a slightly more northern latitude, so it should be similar, right?

I did last week of April last year and harvested late August/ early September. I'm going to hack everything back mid April this year to try and allow for more green growth time. We have had mild weather (northern illinois) and will likely continue that trend in April. It's strange that I have 6 inches of growth already on some plants.

 

[ffaoe]

I got a planter from a friend who left two rhizomes outside for 3-4 years and did not water, or fertilize. I gave the plants some TLC, and already they are about 7 inches tall. Looking at these two planters (and my 10 foot long trellis):

1. When should I start cutting vines.
2. How many vines should I leave (I was thinking 8-12 per plant).

View attachment 346352View attachment 346354View attachment 346355

Thanks for the helping a first year hop grower!

1. Cut back the first shoots (bull shoots).
2. Train 4-6 bines per plant up your lines.

 

[Calder]

I am moving in late May, if I buy some rhizomes now, and plant them in large pots, will that have too much growth to move about 10 miles? I'm in Southern NH, so zone 5a/5b

Just keep the rhizomes in the fridge and plant in May. A lot easier to move.

You will not get much from them in the first year anyway, it is mainly establishing the root system.

 

[DurtyChemist]

I got a planter from a friend who left two rhizomes outside for 3-4 years and did not water, or fertilize. I gave the plants some TLC, and already they are about 7 inches tall. Looking at these two planters (and my 10 foot long trellis):

1. When should I start cutting vines.
2. How many vines should I leave (I was thinking 8-12 per plant).

View attachment 346352View attachment 346354View attachment 346355

Thanks for the helping a first year hop grower!

First they are called BINES not vines. Second I'd move those pots outside the rope you have setup. I would let them grow as much as they wanted and not cut anything back this year just for caution. I'd want to make sure they came back healthy instead of worry about hop production.

 

[KindofBlues71]

What time of year is best for cutting rhizomes and trimming the root ball?

 

[zam216]

What time of year is best for cutting rhizomes and trimming the root ball?

Usually you can cut the rhizome in the fall and burry it over the winter and dig it up in February or March. You could probably get away with cutting now though.

 

[philipCT]

Southern Connecticut. Got a nice day yesterday and I was off, so I decided to prep. SWMBO was awesome and suggested we move some roses and a hydrangea to make room. I made a couple of boxes like some other postings here and sunk them. That was a lotta freakin work. The boxes are 24x24 and 12" deep and the garden is full of potatoe sized rocks. Anyway, lookin good so far. Today I'll run the coir climbing lines up to the eaves.

 

[T3R]

I'm in North Texas and my first year centennial are taking off. About a foot tall for the first bine in 20 days from rhizome. I planted two rhizomes per pot. Should I just let 4-6 bines per pot go or per rhizome? Also how many bines per climbing rope? Thanks in advance first time grower.

 

[zam216]

I'm in North Texas and my first year centennial are taking off. About a foot tall for the first bine in 20 days from rhizome. I planted two rhizomes per pot. Should I just let 4-6 bines per pot go or per rhizome? Also how many bines per climbing rope? Thanks in advance first time grower.

First year you will be lucky to get 4 bines. Let them all grow. You want as much green growth this year to allow the roots to grow and sustain a strong foundation for future years. I would focus more on proper soil care, watering and fertilization the first year and you may get lucky like I did and still end up with a lot of hops the first year! 12oz for me.

 

[sablesurfer]

Two weeks of rainy weather and one week of being too sickly ded to go look at them...

 

[jsvinth34]

CA hop grower here, anyone know of any sites still taking orders for rhizomes? I was trying to lock down some different not so common varieties (Pacific Gem, sorachi ace, warrior, or others) but seems that it's getting more difficult to get varieties as of late. Any help is appreciated

 

[ffaoe]

CA hop grower here, anyone know of any sites still taking orders for rhizomes? I was trying to lock down some different not so common varieties (Pacific Gem, sorachi ace, warrior, or others) but seems that it's getting more difficult to get varieties as of late. Any help is appreciated

Try great lakes hops. They have established plants for sale.

 

[mraffaele69]

anyone know where to get prima donna rhyzomes/plants? thanks

 

[WilliamSlayer]

Finally getting growth here in MD. Good solid rain this week and mild temps has spurred the 'purple asparagus'. I am quite relieved!

Since I started both my hop plants last year from already established rhizomes, it's very cool to see these initial stages of development. It feels in a way like THIS year is just as much my first year of growing as last year.

View attachment 1459369215928.jpg

 

[JoshuaWhite5522]

Started 10 new pots the year willamette, liberty, nugget,my hood, and cascade. My Golding (2nd) year just popped through

 

[poptarts]

Everyone is all look at my hops and I'm here like...

View attachment 1459430648561.jpg

 

[ffaoe]

Went out and trimmed back most of the new growth yesterday as shown in the first picture. The second picture shows the shoots after being cleaned up. The green ones on the left are mostly cascade which I was only able to use the tips because they were quite prickly. The purple ones on the right are centennial and had smooth shoots.
I cooked up the two groups of hop shoots two ways. The green ones I simply cooked in the microwave. The purple ones I cooked in a grill pan on the stove in some rosemary seasoned olive oil.
The green ones were very slightly bitter, whereas the purple ones were quite delicious.