Growing hops in Mississippi.

[tdbc2011]

I do not see them on the leaves or hops only on the bines. So maybe they are eating other bugs. I do have a few lady bugs on the plants, but I did see the white flies for the first time today. Time to get some organocide.

 

[maf58d]

Been awhile since I posted on hops. Have been busy and really not too much to show. Second round of cones coming along good and had to repot hop cuttings because they outgrew small pots and were getting root bound. ---Mark F.---

 

[tdbc2011]

maf58d,
I only have one set of bines growing, centennial. I am letting all bines grow this year to establish a strong root base. I have a few that are wanting to run on the ground. Do you think they will root if I put some dirt on them a foot away from the original hill?

 

[maf58d]

tdbc2011, Do your ground runners start off of the main bine above ground, or below ground from the crown. If it is a rooted runner from the crown, it is ready to snip and pot. If is from the bine above ground, I am pretty sure you can root it by covering a section with dirt. You could also put some rooting hormone on if you have some, and virtually assure it. ---Mark F.---

 

[tdbc2011]

Thanks, Will check to see where the bine starts.

 

[maf58d]

Finally picked some more cascade. Has rained hard every day this week , putting me off till late this evening, picking till it was too dark to see. Got most off first plant, but some still left on it. Will finish it and pick second plant when these pulled today are dried. Picture of plant shows just a small part of what is on there, most are hidden by the leaves. ---Mark F.---

 

[jmuff]

Mark, that looks awesome! I am a new homebrewer that is looking into growing my own hops for next year. Any suggestions for someone starting from scratch?

 

[maf58d]

Hey jmuff, good to hear from you. A lot of odds and ends are all through this post on tips I think help. Cascade are the best to grow, and taste great in many beers from APAs to wheats to lagers. Pick a spot that gets plenty of sun, drains well, is easy to tote water to, and give them something sturdy to climb. If you live close I can show you some of the things I use and do. ---Mark F.---

 

[maf58d]

Second pickings from first cascade, dried to 6.25 ounces. Second pickings of second cascade, dried to 6 ounces making total cascade hops this year so far 1 pound, 13.75 ounces. ---Mark F.---

 

[eagle83]

I don't think I am going to get any cones this year (first year). My Cascade which is doing the best of the three is around 15', and has a few side arms of 3-4". I have a feeling it is too little too late though.

I'm sure they will take off like crazy next year though.

 

[maf58d]

Hey eagle83, are there any burrs on them, if there is, there is still enough time for them to mature. I picked the last of mine last year in mid October. ---Mark F.---

 

[eagle83]

Nah, no burs. I read somewhere that in the south it is best for you to put the hops in a spot that gets some shade in the afternoon because of the heat, but I think I'm going to move it to a spot with more sunlight for next year if I can find one.

 

[eagle83]

Here are my pants and my longest side arm.

 

[maf58d]

Mine are getting plenty of sun, 10 to 12 hours of direct, and the rest shaded or indirect. They are also in an area that my folks had multiple times had grown plums and peaches, so much of it had been dug up and amended through the years. I have noticed that the grass grows faster and thicker in the 100 square foot that my hops are at the center of, than any where else on the property. I think water is more important for our hops in dealing with heat than shade, they love sun, but need moisture to keep from getting burnt. Hope this helps some and good luck. ---Mark F.---

 

[maf58d]

With all that I have going on, I have neglected my hop plants for a while. I can now say watering is very important during the dry spell we are having. Got back to taking the time to give them each about a gallon every couple days. Also took about an hour Friday evening to pick what was ready to pick, not to immature or totally browned out. Dried out to 1.5 ounces of Cascade, and 7/8 ounce of Nugget. ---Mark F.---

 

[maf58d]

Took this picture a couple weeks ago before picking some more cascade.They dried out to 1.6 ounces. Picked nuggets earlier this week and they should be dry now, but have not weighed them yet, they should be between .25 and .5 ounce though. ---Mark F.---

 

[maf58d]

One last look at my hop plants this thanksgiving day. My folks house with its new white metal roof is showing in the background.
Second picture is cuttings from this spring that will be crowns next year.
---Mark F.---

 

[BadDeacon]

Bump.

Any hints for a first time grower in the Hattiesburg area???

 

[maf58d]

Hey BadDeacon,
My take on hops is,
#1 , Full sun, The hops that will grow here need all the sun they can get.
#2 , Plenty of water, With full sun and hot summer days, a tall skinny plant needs plenty of moisture to keep it hydrated.
#3 , Nutrients, A half dose of miracle grow twice a week will keep them happy.
#4 , Soil , Before planting, amend with plenty of compost, and if your dirt is heavy,(clay), add a good amount of sand in the mix. Also should have decent drainage, not to saturated with water as to cause rot.
#5 , Hope you like Cascade, because that is the best for growing here. It is as compared to other hops as Hercules is to Other mortals.
Hope this helps in getting started, if you have any questions on any of this, I'll do my best to give you a good and prompt answer.
---Mark F.---

 

[BadDeacon]

Thanks! I am still uncertain if I am gonna try this. But noticed rhizomes were not that expensive. Might give it a whirl though. I have a 1 acre lot with a hard clay pan, but plenty of sun.

 

[maf58d]

How deep is your hardpan? Is it on top or is it under you top soil? I think if you could break through and till up the hard pan and make a raised bed for the plants, you should have no trouble at all.
---Mark F.---

 

[BadDeacon]

It's about 6-12" down. I would definitely have to get through it and add some sand.

 

[maf58d]

Cascade and nugget full rooted crowns.

 

[BadDeacon]

Gonna order cascade tomorrow. Think they'll grow ok in a 10 gal pot?

 

[maf58d]

1 plant in 10 gallon would be ok for the first year or two I think, but really crowded by third year. A 55 gallon barrel would be better.
---Mark F.---

 

[maf58d]

Been a whole 3 days since last shot of these hops.

 

[maf58d]

New shots taken today. Cascade in top photo same as previous shots.
Nugget from previous shots had been sold, so lower pictures are different.
---Mark f.---

 

[maf58d]

A couple shots taken of my main hops in ground.
They are well behind the growth of potted hops because of soil temp, but should really start taking off soon.

 

[eagle83]

My cascades are starting to peep through. Hope I get something out of them this year (year 2).

 

[maf58d]

Looks good Eagle83.
Been a whole week since last shots, so new shots this morning of cascade and nugget respectively.
--Mark F.--