Are these hops ready to be picked.

[Soeze]

Hello all,

I am a first time hop grower, so I am trying to learn what color the Lupin should be before I pick my harvest. The two hops in the picture are from my garden, both were picked at the top. I am really unsure what to look for. I notice some have a grassy smell (one on the right) to them and some have little smell at all (One on the left). The two in the picture are both Columbus hops. Can you tell by looking at the picture, which one is ready to be picked? I personally think the one on the left is ready to be picked, but then again I could be totally wrong. They both have a paper sound to them when they were picked off the vine, but not now. If someone could help me figure out what to look for, I would be grateful.

Thanks

 

[brewcat]

Certainly smell is a good indicator. Grassy is too early. These look early. I also go by how fast they bounce back when squeezed. Slower is better as long as they aren't completely dry. Usually the hops will have a papery feel/sound on the vine. I tend to not really look at lupulin color. I'll look at the amount for general reference, but smell and feel is a better indicator.

 

[Bamsdealer]

agreed with the above. Those look a bit young. I like the stage just before they start showing brown, but even a little brown doesn't hurt.

They will feel sort of papery and smell pungent.