2016 Hop Growing Thread

[Rypcord]

So, question:

My chinook plant has a LOT of growth at the bottom, it looks like a big bush at the bottom. Should I be pruning/trimming it, or letting it go? Its a first year (planted in April).

Thanks.

 

[phug]

if you trim it, it will look taller. Beyond that I can't help you.

 

[BlackIce]

So, question:

My chinook plant has a LOT of growth at the bottom, it looks like a big bush at the bottom. Should I be pruning/trimming it, or letting it go? Its a first year (planted in April).

Thanks.

On my chinook 1st year I cut everything back but 4 bines. I have been trying to cut back all new starts so the energy can go to the 4 bines. On my cascade and centennial I did not do this and they are bushy at the bottom. You can see from the pics I posted about a week back.

I would say trimming would be good but thats just me

 

[thaymond]

On my chinook 1st year I cut everything back but 4 bines. I have been trying to cut back all new starts so the energy can go to the 4 bines. On my cascade and centennial I did not do this and they are bushy at the bottom. You can see from the pics I posted about a week back.

I would say trimming would be good but thats just me

Some would recommend letting it all grow to establish a root system in the first year. Others say cut it back and prune. It's a hearty plant that is notorious for being next to impossible to kill once it is established. Either way, you'll have a plant that grows back every year stronger and more vigorous than the last year.

As your plant ages, it does being to be more important to trim and prune. Rhizomes and runners in spring can sprout new growth and begin competing with the main crown for nutrients. Culling initial growth in spring allows for more healthy and vigorous bines to grow once the weather breaks and the stored carbohydrates are used up. Continual pruning of growth at the crown helps limit the potential spread of disease.

Others have far more experience than I on this forum, this is just some of the info that I have read and follow from year to year.

 

[lzrdkng14]

Cascade is starting to take shape
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468034342.756621.jpg

 

[BaylessBrewer]

Cones are developing pretty good right now!!
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468085574.249344.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468085585.002071.jpg

How you like that Swiss cheese leaf?!?! Caught a jap Beatle munching on it a couple days ago. Needless to say the little bastard didn't live to see another day!

 

[homebeerbrewer]

That setup is awesome, what are your uprights made of? Any construction tips?

I used 1/2"x10' EMT conduit for the main structure, PVC for the cross members, and PVC caps at top. Each tower has six pieces of conduit, four whole, and two cut in half, making them 15 feet tall. I drilled 1 inch deep holes in the wood for the conduit to sit in. The wood base is 2x6 PT lumber. I got all fancy and made octagons, but a 3x3 or 4x4 square would work just as well. I also got galvanized cable and auger anchors to help keep them upright. They're pretty stable without plants, but now that the plants are to the top and beyond, they're a little wobbly.

It's still a work in progress, but I'm pleased with it so far.

 

[The_Bishop]

Thanks. Will probably steal your idea for next year's hops!

 

[TandemTails]

My first year potted cascade plants are starting to produce cones. I'm pretty excited to have this many!

 

[fuzzy2133]

Little white spider good or bad? No signs of leafs being eaten.

All the bushy parts above my planter are side arms looking for stuff to climb. And now I know why they say to train only 2 bines.

View attachment 1468282626751.jpg

View attachment 1468282669655.jpg

 

[thereverendmaynard]

This is my 2nd year Centennial - The right group of bines (2) just popped up about 3ft to the right of the main plant and looked strong, so I let them rip. The left side is 4 bines and is really doing well, with lots of cones coming in. They are up to the top of my 2nd floor, so ~ 18-20ft high.

 

[Brizzo]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468284388.399226.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468284400.715030.jpg

4th yr centennial is producing pretty good already down here in Connecticut

 

[cram]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468292904.598175.jpg
A lot of Centennial hops hanging.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468292949.202195.jpg
Nugget plants in middle haven't flowered yet.

 

[Kozwald]

Going to be a good year. The plants are going crazy.

 

[bboykin87]

Top picture is my cascade and bottom is magnum. I was late planting them so they are only about 5 weeks old. I hope I get at least an oz of hops to use. No cones forming just yet at least from what I can see.

View attachment 1468421420811.jpg

View attachment 1468421438050.jpg

 

[brewcat]

Cascade is starting to get some burrs. Too bad the height was cut off early. A couple more feet would have been nice. Probably won't get too much this year. First year plants are looking ok.

 

[signpost]

We've had really dry conditions this summer and I wasn't able to get to the plants to water them consistently. So the tallest vibes I have are only about 6 feet, but I think the root system is developing well since at least one plant had a bine break through the soil about 2 feet or so away from the base of the plant.

I'm a little disappointed, but they are first year plants. So, I wasn't really sure what I might get from them anyway.

Here are a couple pics.

View attachment 1468440206742.jpg

View attachment 1468440222974.jpg

View attachment 1468440239452.jpg

View attachment 1468440285412.jpg

View attachment 1468440299575.jpg

View attachment 1468440314441.jpg

View attachment 1468440334992.jpg

 

[SunnyDownSnuff]

Little white spider good or bad? No signs of leafs being eaten.

Good! That spider will eat the little bugs that want to eat your plant. Like having your own little security squad.

There is a leaf-eating spider in Central America, if you saw one of those it would probably make you take a step back:

 

[TandemTails]

My first year potted cascade plants are doing well. Hopefully they'll be ready to harvest in a few weeks

A side question though... the cone petals are very spread apart right now. Will they compact together as the cone grows and turn into a denser cone or will they remain spread apart like they are now?

 

[SHAIV]

I finally got around to picking my chinook and cascade. The Chinook was a little ripe. They are kinda yellow. Do you think they will still be good? They are first year plants

View attachment 1468453544971.jpg

View attachment 1468453556378.jpg

 

[gtibrews2]

my 2nd year Chinook w/ my German Shepherd Fritz and my Chinook dog Zeus.

 

[SHAIV]

Oh and here's my plants before i picked. My centennial hasn't produced any hops yet. It just got in a bigger pot though so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed

View attachment 1468460057572.jpg

 

[KennyRedman]

After being in the ground almost 2 months, They're all over 12' and starting to produce small sidearms. #LateHops2016

Not sure why my attachments always show up sideways. Sorry.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

My crown of Cascade has grown nicely but doesn't have any hops appearing yet.

Interestingly, my Glacier Rhizhomes started slow but have started producing hops.

 

[fuzzy2133]

After being in the ground almost 2 months, They're all over 12' and starting to produce small sidearms. #LateHops2016

Not sure why my attachments always show up sideways. Sorry.

Take the pic with the factory camera app. Many apps that access the camera will only read what the hardware claims is the top.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

KennyRedman, how tall are your posts? I had a similar idea, but wanted to get 20 foot posts. I ordered them from Home Depot. They came in warped and twisted. They didn't like when I refused them, but I don't want four posts that aren't straight.

 

[KennyRedman]

KennyRedman, how tall are your posts? I had a similar idea, but wanted to get 20 foot posts. I ordered them from Home Depot. They came in warped and twisted. They didn't like when I refused them, but I don't want four posts that aren't straight.

I bought 22 foot 6" red pine from a local hop farm and cut them down to 19'. They're in the ground about 3' and the cable is 15' tall

 

[BentBrewer]

Finally got my neomexicanus into some decent pots. Might even get a few cones this year. Hopefully they go into the ground before next spring.

 

[SteveHeff]

Here is 1/2 of my hops this year. 2nd year centennial.

 

[lzrdkng14]

Wow, very happy with my first year cascade crown!

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468764498.343696.jpg