Hops Viruses

[CharlieJ]

How do I tell if My Hops are infected with a Virus?

The ends of the branches on the lower half of the Plants are dying and breaking Off.

This is a wild plant I have decided to embrace in my yard. It has already grown way larger than I ever anticipated. I would estimate at 26-27 feet.

These branches are dying off only at 6 feet and below right now. some stalks have noticeable splits in them.


Is this a virus and is there anything i can do?

 

[nagmay]

I am not an expert, but these do not look virus related. Viral infections are usually systemic and will display symptoms on large sections of the plant. The leaves are often the place to look for symptoms and diagnose the type of virus.

On a plant that large you are bound to have some physical stress and bug damage:

• Pic 2 looks like a bull (hollow) bine that twisted open.
  
• Pic 4 looks like bug damage. Possibly flea beetles.
  
• Pics 5, 6, 7 look like the plant aborted some lower shoots - possibly due to low light, under watering, or bug damage. This is common on the lower sections of large plants.

Info from some experts: Hop insects and diseases - Michigan State University

 

[day_trippr]

Jeeze, that plant is clearly a well-fed monster that's living large.

I agree with nagmay, nothing in those shots suggests anything major.
Unless I saw something spreading I'd keep a healthy distance and let it do its thing...

Cheers!

 

[CharlieJ]

Thank you guys.

This is my learning year. I have been fighting this vine in my back yard for 4 years trying to eradicate it. 2 years ago I discovered what it was. Last year I decided to let it engulf the rose bush and see what happened. I received no hops except for a vine that escaped to a neighboring tree which was loaded, unfortunately it was too late for harvest by the time I found it.

This year I built the Trellis but the vines became far larger and thicker than I ever imagined.

The area i live in NY was a prominent Hops growing region for the US back in the late 1800's. I daydream this plant is a surviving holdover of those days.

My hope is to get enough hops to take to a home brewer's house and learn the process of making beer from them.

I am learning as I go but loving every minute. I hope my Support will hold until Harvest. every wind storm has me trembling with nerves.

Thanks again.

Charlie

 

[Spartan300man]

Have you harvested anything off that monster?
I have seen a lot of hop plants for sale in the midwest, most of which are the generic ornamental "Golden Hops" variety, that is supposedly not an actual brewing type of hops. I am wondering how you tell what you have?