Any Florida hop growers here?

[d_rock]

I live in Jacksonville FL and would like to grow some hops of my own, but the FL heat is brutal for most of the year. Are there any varieties that are better at tolerating the heat? Any other folks in this area who can pass on experience?

Looking at all these photos of you guys up further north and out west really makes me jealous. I'd love to have a huge trellis covered in bines out back to shade my patio!

 

[B-Hoppy]

Maybe try to contact these guys: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160224/ARTICLES/160229854 It would be really interesting to hear how they deal with vernalization down there. I've seen folks actually digging up the crowns and putting them in coolers for 6 or so weeks to simulate the process but don't see it working in a large scale operation? Let us know what you find out.

 

[d_rock]

Maybe try to contact these guys: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160224/ARTICLES/160229854 It would be really interesting to hear how they deal with vernalization down there. I've seen folks actually digging up the crowns and putting them in coolers for 6 or so weeks to simulate the process but don't see it working in a large scale operation? Let us know what you find out.

Good find! I'll look into that. Maybe I can squeeze some test hops out of them for a sample batch!

 

[B-Hoppy]

Thinking about it further, I've always known that they grew hops in SA but never thought about the similar issues faced there. I did a quick search and it looks like the conventionally bred varieties grown in the accepted hop growing regions won't cut the mustard that far south without a tremendous amount of additional costs associated. They just bred varieties that do what they need them to do, how cool is that!

http://www.farmersweekly.co.za/article.aspx?id=38537&h=SABHopFarmsputsthebitterintobeer

 

[FloridaHops]

Good find! I'll look into that. Maybe I can squeeze some test hops out of them for a sample batch!

It'll be a tight squeeze! The majority of people who work with the plant are home brewers themselves!