Early season shoot woes

[ajbosley2015]

I just cleared my hopyard and realized that all 13 plants 2nd year plants have TONS of shoots thanks to our weather in West Virginia (extreme Eastern WV grow zone 6). I have some plants with 20-40 shoots...which seems insane to me. Any recommendations on what to do between now and a nice healthy start of the grow season?

 

[bonecitybrewco]

I just cleared my hopyard and realized that all 13 plants 2nd year plants have TONS of shoots thanks to our weather in West Virginia (extreme Eastern WV grow zone 6). I have some plants with 20-40 shoots...which seems insane to me. Any recommendations on what to do between now and a nice healthy start of the grow season?

Depends on how established your yard is. There's the option of culling them all or just culling some, or just leaving them and seeing if you get another cold spell yet.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Eat them eg

Or sell them - they are a super-expensive luxury in some parts of the world.

 

[ajbosley2015]

Eat them eg

Or sell them - they are a super-expensive luxury in some parts of the world.

But you did absolutely nothing to actually address my question. I appreciate the information, but let’s be realistic: I was asking if I should have any concerns about weather between now and the start of the growing season, not “oh no, I don’t know what to do with the shoots I’m already going to pinch off anyway”

 

[B-Hoppy]

If you have any disease (dm or pm) in your plants, the spores generally overwinter in the buds located on the upper portion of the crowns. When these sprout and begin to grow, the spores can continue their life cycle and spread to surrounding plants. If you're serious about growing hops, this first growth is generally cut back to minimize the spread of the disease. Sometimes a second cutback is necessary to time your training such that your plants bloom and the cones form at the appropriate time. Check out Michigan State for a listing cultural practices and other tips on growing hops. Also, do a search for David Gent, M. Twomey for disease research on hops.

 

[Jako]

If you have any disease (dm or pm) in your plants, the spores generally overwinter in the buds located on the upper portion of the crowns. When these sprout and begin to grow, the spores can continue their life cycle and spread to surrounding plants. If you're serious about growing hops, this first growth is generally cut back to minimize the spread of the disease. Sometimes a second cutback is necessary to time your training such that your plants bloom and the cones form at the appropriate time. Check out Michigan State for a listing cultural practices and other tips on growing hops. Also, do a search for David Gent, M. Twomey for disease research on hops.

how early should the crowns get cut back? how long should i let them go?

 

[Beerisgud]

Cut the bull shoots. Leave all second growth. Wait to prune all the rest until several 2ft bines can be selected to train then prune the rest probably by May.

 

[B-Hoppy]

how early should the crowns get cut back? how long should i let them go?

Again, it comes down to timing the second (or third if you cut back twice) flush of growth to be ready to be trained at the appropriate time for maximum harvest. Each location is different and if you are growing in a non-traditional area you just have to use your best judgement based on how well your plants have performed in the past.

 

[Jako]

thank you, now that i understand i don't get how i didn't the first time you explained it.

 

[vtec4me21]

Here's some resources to figure out the timing hop pruning and training dates. This may be what B-Hoppy was talking about with MSU's info. Jako, I see you are from N. Utah so you might be able to use the Idaho or Yakima valley harvest dates on this first page and pruning / training dates from the Yakima valley Washington areas. For instance the harvest date of Cascade in Idaho is pretty close to Washington's notice the pruning / training dates are listed.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/training_hops

As mentioned watch out for bull shoots as they are hollow. Trim those back and only select a few bines to train.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/training_hops_part_2

Here's a link to MSU's Hop Management Guide:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/hop_management_guide_available_to_michigan_hop_growers

 

[Jako]

Here's some resources to figure out the timing hop pruning and training dates. This may be what B-Hoppy was talking about with MSU's info. Jako, I see you are from N. Utah so you might be able to use the Idaho or Yakima valley harvest dates on this first page and pruning / training dates from the Yakima valley Washington areas. For instance the harvest date of Cascade in Idaho is pretty close to Washington's notice the pruning / training dates are listed.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/training_hops

As mentioned watch out for bull shoots as they are hollow. Trim those back and only select a few bines to train.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/training_hops_part_2

Here's a link to MSU's Hop Management Guide:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/hop_management_guide_available_to_michigan_hop_growers

This is incredible, thank you for the links really useful information.