Are last year's hops toast?

[Damonic]

Otay... I planted 5 different rhizomes last year in pots that were clearly too small. I knew I'd be moving last summer/fall to a big roomy farm and so I figured this would be the 'mobile' approach. Needless to say that despite my best of intentions I did not take care of my babies too well. Watering was inconsistent but they did get plenty of sun. They each ended the season at a measly 2' tall. The cold weather took care of the bines and I didn't bother to cut them back since there really wasn't all that much in the first place. They weathered the winter in a barn kept at about 40 degrees and I JUST remembered them.

How can I tell if they are still viable? Should I remove the rhizomes for inspection and then replant properly in the ground? Should I leave them in the small pots, water them, and see if Mr. Sun does his thing? Should I plant the entire thing (minus pot) in the ground so as not to disturb the little roots? I know I could just wait and see but if they're toast then I'd like to get an order in time for new rhizomes.

 

[GearBeer]

I'm willing to guess that your rhizomes are just fine.

I had two that I planted that were 3' and 2' at the end of last fall. They weathered the winter just as yours did (though I actually had to kick them out into the cold half way through ) and both sprouted yesterday after being replanted and subjected to intense fluorescent light (2x 40W bulb 4" away) for 5 days straight.

I would recommend transplanting them while they are dormant. There's more danger to transplanting after they've sprouted.

 

[david_42]

Small pots = root bound. Remove them and replant properly. Just dig holes that are wide enough to spread the roots out. The main root should be 2-3" down.

 

[Clayton]

first thing is water if thay were in a barn all winter that have not had any water thay can die in the dormant season if thay completly dehydrate

i wintered a few hops in 15 gal pots , thay are growing just fine but i left them out in the weather ice storm and all