Growing hops from seed

[DarkCoder]

Has anyone started stratifying seeds yet, or still collecting? I still have bags of hops I have to go through. I'm glad everyone had some luck this year. Cheers

All my seeds were harvested near the end of September. No more seeds to harvest for me.

I have 2 small lot of seeds from my harvest that are stratifying... but it's really too soon for my climate. I plan to start the stratification of all my other seeds at the beginning of February. I don't have a greenhouse and I plan to have 100 seedling for next year, and still be able to live in my house.

 

[B-Hoppy]

Surprisingly, many of the bines had new buds forming around the base. This is most likely due to a week of warm weather. Hopefully they don't devote too much energy to this before the frost comes.

I kinda think those buds are a result of the excess energy being produced at this time of the year and are the ones that take off like rockets the following spring ending up making lots of 'bull shoots'. I had one seedling this year that made buds at each node up to about 3 feet! It seems to be a varietal characteristic?

 

[PapaBearJay]

Has anyone started stratifying seeds yet, or still collecting? I still have bags of hops I have to go through. I'm glad everyone had some luck this year. Cheers

I have several sets of seed stratifying, and am taking the chance to analyze some data collected about the parents used for crosses. Interesting data set I have as well, can't wait to see how the progeny turn out.

 

[nagmay]

Finally pulled some of the seeds from the fridge to start germination. The tray I am using has 200 cells. This year I am trying a soilless mix: 50% coir + 50% vermiculite + a pinch of phosphate.

I'll check back in once they start to pop.

 

[PapaBearJay]

I've got a few good plants growing right now, with many more on the way. I'm attempting to germinate some distantly-related populations.

One from the wild population you've all seen photos of, another from my OP crosses which will be a inter-mating F1 population, and a third originating from a grower in the southwestern edge of the US.

I've got much of the data from the cultivars, but little from last years F1s.

 

[nagmay]

And... the 2015 seeds are starting to pop!

It's just 2 days later, but 13 of the seeds have already germinated. Mid-80s for the temp seems to be perfect.

 

[DarkCoder]

...when I remove my seeds from the fridge, I put them directly on top of my fridge where the temp is between 75 - 78 F (24 - 26 C). I alternate every 12 hours between top of the fridge and counter top. Some start to germinate in 24 hours, but most do between 2 and 4 days.

(I stratify and germinate my seeds in a paper towel + ziploc bag)

 

[DarkCoder]

My strategy this year was to be more agressive on the indoor seedling selection.

Based on my last year experience, if the plant does not grow that much indoor, it will not grow that much outdoor. So, I cull them right away without feeling guilty.

I have 9 big plants selected in december/january (some are already over 6 feet tall) and near 30 smaller ones (2 - 3 inches) that will be selected in the next 2 -3 weeks. I have a bunch of seeds still stratifying and will put more to stratify at the end of February.

I germinate and select them in successive waves.

 

[nagmay]

I haven't had great results stratifying, or sprouting in paper towels. They hop seeds often mold from too much moisture. Or, they sprout and grow into the paper - causing damage when removed.

This year, I used soaked (and drained) pearlite. It seemed to work much better.

I might try it for my normal garden seeds.

 

[DarkCoder]

I haven't had great results stratifying, or sprouting in paper towels. They hop seeds often mold from too much moisture. Or, they sprout and grow into the paper - causing damage when removed.

This year, I used soaked (and drained) pearlite. It seemed to work much better.

I might try it for my normal garden seeds.

This year, I took Bounty brand paper towel... they keep their original shape, does not "collapse" around the seeds and allow more air in. I am also using a plastic bottle sprayer to moist the paper towel, no more direct water from the faucet, which was too much water even if you press the excess out. Sometimes, I have to change the paper towel after the first one to two weeks because of molding occuring because of seeds debris / lupulin...but after that I am usually good to keep the same paper towel.

 

[PapaBearJay]

This year, I took Bounty brand paper towel... they keep their original shape, does not "collapse" around the seeds and allow more air in. I am also using a plastic bottle sprayer to moist the paper towel, no more direct water from the faucet, which was too much water even if you press the excess out. Sometimes, I have to change the paper towel after the first one to two weeks because of molding occuring because of seeds debris / lupulin...but after that I am usually good to keep the same paper towel.

I found mold to be a major issue as well, even when using 70% isopropanol or 40% ethanol. I switched to 100% bleach and washed several times following with water. Since the switch there have been no issues with contamination.

 

[nagmay]

About 50 plants have germinated so far with 3-4 new ones sprouting each day. Today, I found the first successful Mt Hood cross.

 

[PapaBearJay]

Congrats! Now if you could do some flow cytometry measurements, even better measure stomatal openings under your microscope.

 

[nagmay]

do some flow cytometry measurements, even better measure stomatal openings under your microscope.

And... what will that tell me?

 

[PapaBearJay]

And... what will that tell me?

Flow cytometry is a method used to determine chromosome content (i.e. ploidy). Since Mt. Hood is a triploid female, it shouldn't form (viable) gametes. Analyzing the progeny will give you an idea of what might have happened.

A quick way to measure that is viewing the guard cells and cellular sizes, as they are increased as a result of the increased ploidy (the larger your nucleus, the more room you need).

 

[nagmay]

Okay - that makes sense. I may have to whip out the more powerful microscope.

 

[PapaBearJay]

Okay - that makes sense. I may have to whip out the more powerful microscope.

Look for some microscopy staining protocols. You'll likely find differential staining techniques for nuclei, etc. This will make the process much easier.

 

[PapaBearJay]

What's your current germination rate?

 

[DarkCoder]

Last year crosses seedling laughing at the snow...

 

[B-Hoppy]

Sidearms already! You'll be double-cropping this year.

 

[PapaBearJay]

Quite jealous....

 

[DarkCoder]

Sidearms already! You'll be double-cropping this year.

I don't think so... I am cutting the sidearms and the top of the bine to contains those crazy growers. There is another 3 months before I can put them outdoor. I have start to root some bine cuttings, I am planning to start them again from ground up and get rid of those that you see on the picture. I can only keep 1 plant from each seed that germinate. That is heart breaking, but I am limited in space. Those plants are in my dinning room... each time I add a container, my wife gives me "the look"...

(...but at least, she is smilling...she knows that hops is my passion)

 

[nagmay]

What's your current germination rate?

Around 10%, but there are several things to consider...

1) These are just the early risers. If last year is any indication, another 10-20% will pop given enough time.

2) I am working with many, very diverse populations. The Hood cross, not surprisingly, has only had 1 sprout out of 50+ seeds.

Nugget x (Cascade x Magnum), on the other hand, is pushing 40% already....

 

[nagmay]

Love it!

Here, in the PNW, we have had an unseasonably warm winter with no snow. Several of the crosses in the yard already have 12" bines shooting from the ground. I'm excited, but also nervous - one cold snap could really eff everything up.

 

[DarkCoder]

Here, in the PNW, we have had an unseasonably warm winter with no snow. Several of the crosses in the yard already have 12" bines shooting from the ground. I'm excited, but also nervous - one cold snap could really eff everything up.

They probably have other buds underground ready to take up if something happen.

 

[PapaBearJay]

Love it!



Here, in the PNW, we have had an unseasonably warm winter with no snow. Several of the crosses in the yard already have 12" bines shooting from the ground. I'm excited, but also nervous - one cold snap could really eff everything up.

You've already planted your new seedling selections? Or last years seedlings?

 

[nagmay]

You've already planted your new seedling selections? Or last years seedlings?

Last year's. Here are a few that never made it to the yard. I'll trim them all back when I plant this weekend.

 

[nagmay]

The 2015 seeds continue to pop. 82 and counting...
Anyone got a few acres I can borrow?

 

[PapaBearJay]

The 2015 seeds continue to pop. 82 and counting...
Anyone got a few acres I can borrow?

How long since they were sown?

 

[IrishinPA]

The 2015 seeds continue to pop. 82 and counting...
Anyone got a few acres I can borrow?

Yep! Bring them to PA! A friend and I are looking to start planting up 5 acres.