Cascades in Key West

Boris_the_Russian · Jun 8, 2012

Right in the crack between the main bine and a large leaf is where the sprout is forming. Looks different them the other side arms around so, I pretty sure it's gonna be a cone. Time to switch the fertilizer schedule a bit and start pumping out cones!
I should probably look into buying a vacuum sealer. If year one produces anything.... Year two will be a monster!

(not my hops.... Yet. Just using the pic for dramatics)

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 8, 2012

Those small things are cones, congrats!! I dont know about switching up the ferts though. I read that by this time the plant is already storing its energy back into the crown for overwintering. And that any nutes wont go to hop development, and will also not flush out of the hops before harvest. I dont know how true this is though, im still trying to find more reliable info.

Boris_the_Russian · Jun 8, 2012

Never heard that. New to me. Sounds true. I was gonna put some high phos bat shat on top of the soil and switch to the bloom formula in the series I'm using. No big changes. Just "follow the recipe" as I've heard. I'm pumped up. Guess I should start planning a dry hopped cascade something or other beer. Where did you find the info for the hop wintering and flushing? I'd like to read more about this subject.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 8, 2012

Im trying to search for it and all im seeing is to do that with hops cousin plant. I actually found this http://www.byo.com/component/resource/article/1926-growing-hops-in-containers It says they added 1/4 cup bone meal once the bines started flowering.

Boris_the_Russian · Jun 9, 2012

I read this article before hand. Has some real good info and I used it as a guide to start. Found a research paper regarding hop nutrient requirements from Oregon state university. Most of the findings were generalized and seeming to be more of a basic what to expect type of tone. Have yet to find a detailed layout of how, what, when and amounts of specific nutrients to use so, I'm following a rudimentary plant feeding schedule advised from my local organics supplier. Being that both hops and maryjane are in the same family order, I assume " what's good for the goose is good for the gander".
I'll look into it more and verify. I feel if I'm going to grow a species of plant not native to this climate and in a container, supplements and care are a necessity. I maybe over doing it..... wouldn't be the first time.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/fg/fg79-e.pdf

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 9, 2012

I know most plants burn more phosphorus and calcium during flowering. But I seem to remember hops burn mostly nitrogen the whole time IIRC. I'll find where I saw it and post it.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 12, 2012

Took this pic today, lupulin is starting to get frosty.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 13, 2012

Finally figured out how to get a nice close up pic....very tasty lookin!!

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 19, 2012

Started getting some sidearm growth over the past couple days. Along with having more new cones on my bines, the sidearms should get loaded with hops. These were the biggest ones so far....

BlakeL · Jun 20, 2012

Where did you buy your hop rhizomes? I'm looking to start growing hops in Central Florida and I think Cascades would be the best place to start. Would it be too late to start planting them this year?

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 20, 2012

I got the crown from a friend here on HBT... If I were you I would order a crown instead of rhizomes. Since the crown is from an older plant youll be more likey to get a harvest rather than growing your rhizome into a crown and having to wait till next season for a hop harvest. It might be too late to plant a crown this season but if you do get rhizomes Id plant em and let them get started on growing. Ive heard good reviews about people ordering crowns from Great Lakes Hops. Heres their link.... http://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesHops/app_135607783795

***I actually just went back and checked their site and they dont have most of the strains they usually do. I would definitely look for a crown and stick to the "C" varieties, everyone here says they handle the FL heat better. And FWIW Ive heard Cascade is supposed to disease resistant.

BlakeL · Jun 20, 2012

I checked with Great Lakes and they won't have Cascade/Centennial until the Fall. I can't seem to find any other sites that have any rhizomes in stock either. I'll just wait till the fall and get things planted then for next year.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 21, 2012

Just remember when the time comes save yourself a few years and get a hop crown.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 24, 2012

So I tried the flick test for the 1st time today and these babies passed. Nice grapefruit smell. Cant wait to harvest the rest already on my bines and the others soon to come from sidearm growth.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 27, 2012

The first pic I took yesterday. The older leaves have just about hit the end of their life but the new sidearm growth is growing at an explosive rate putting out small cones and all. The 2nd pic, taken today, is of 2 bines that sprouted a week ago that I propagated. I cut them dipped the tip in rooting hormone and planted them. If all goes well they will grow their own roots(crowns) and give me hops next year.

KeyWestBrewing · Jun 28, 2012

Hop Burs on the new sidearm growth, pics taken today....

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 2, 2012

Took these pics today. Sidearms are overloaded with burs, I added a few pics of the ones becoming cones. Looks like im going to get a second, and much bigger harvest if things keep up...

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 6, 2012

So I was just looking at the pic I posted about a week ago and its filled out a lot more since then. I took this today...

StanJohnson · Jul 7, 2012

Thought I'd share some pics of my Cascades. The leaves on bottom of the bines are about spent, but who cares when I've got a bunch of cones :ban:

Boris_the_Russian · Jul 7, 2012

Hey Stan,
Is it normal for the lower, older leaves to begin to yellow and dry out such as those? Mine seem to be doing the same thing.

StanJohnson · Jul 7, 2012

I've read where other people say that it is normal. I used to worry about it, but seeing how well the plants are producing cones and that the upper half or so of the plants are nice and green, I'm not going to worrying about it any more.

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 7, 2012

Completely normal. The leaves get old and die/fall off about the same time it starts putting out cones and sidearms. Just make sure the new growth is healthy and you'll know if you've got a problem or not.

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 7, 2012

And that is a lot of cones.... Looks like its going to be a good harvest!!!!

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 12, 2012

Pics taken today....

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 13, 2012

And some more, sorry if pics are upside down....

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 13, 2012

...And some more.....

cgherrington3 · Jul 15, 2012

Subbed.

Nice looking nuggets you got there!

Any trouble withe WhiteFly in your area?

Up here in Palm Beach County, we're getting destroyed. They killed most of my vegitables.

If whitefly like hops, it ain't going to happen here. not organically

Cheers and great looking plants!!!

KeyWestBrewing · Jul 20, 2012

cgherrington3 said:
Subbed.

Nice looking nuggets you got there!

Any trouble withe WhiteFly in your area?

Up here in Palm Beach County, we're getting destroyed. They killed most of my vegitables.

If whitefly like hops, it ain't going to happen here. not organically

Cheers and great looking plants!!!

Thanks man!! There are tons of whitefly here, Ive been fighting them on my peppers all season. They dont seem to have any interest in my hops though I have had other pests like spider mites and aphids. I started using Oganicide as recommended here on HBT and havent seen any pests since. Id get some from home depot and use it on your veggies, it should do the trick.
Its all natural and safe to use up until harvest day.