So...You Want to Breed Your Own Hops.

[PapaBearJay]

I was able to send an e-mail to everyone who had mentioned an interest. Though, not I think of it and oops, I forgot to e-mail Nagmay...you still here Nagmay?

 

[OakPond]

I was able to send an e-mail to everyone who had mentioned an interest. Though, not I think of it and oops, I forgot to e-mail Nagmay...you still here Nagmay?

I got it, it looks neat. My only question, your collection dates run from 99' to 2002? Not following that considering this seems like a current ongoing project.

 

[PapaBearJay]

Double Post.

 

[PapaBearJay]

I got it, it looks neat. My only question, your collection dates run from 99' to 2002? Not following that considering this seems like a current ongoing project.

Those collection dates are surrounding the dates of the originally collected seed lots. The seed that I am germinating are from plants which have been grown on and had a number of seed increases for the sake of germplasm resources.

The seed I received isn't necessarily the same seed, it's just a sample of the original population.

 

[nagmay]

"you still here Nagmay?"

Yeah. I'll PM my email - though, you probably already have it.

 

[OakPond]

Hey, is there anyway we could buy/trade some hop seeds with you? Or if you just have some spare seeds and are feeling generous..

 

[PapaBearJay]

Hey, is there anyway we could buy/trade some hop seeds with you? Or if you just have some spare seeds and are feeling generous..

I don't know that I'll give any of my current seed lots out, as a majority of them have been sown already, but I will provide a list of the sources I've purchased from, and viability of the seed as I've tested it. From there it's up to you to make a decision.

 

[alane1]

Two of my seeds seem to be growing mold on them. I take it that this means that they are too wet? Is there something I should do to treat these seeds?

I've been thinking about this, I figure a good way to treat hop seedling is with...well, HOPS!!! I basically made a hop tea by boiling 3 hop pellets in a liter of water for about 15 min. After it cooled I used a spray bottle to apply

before and after

 

[brewerelated]

I've been thinking about this, I figure a good way to treat hop seedling is with...well, HOPS!!! I basically made a hop tea by boiling 3 hop pellets in a liter of water for about 15 min. After it cooled I used a spray bottle to apply

That's a good idea. Better than my initial thought which was to spray Starsan on them, which would probably kill the seeds too. I think I'm gonna make me some hop tea to spray as well.

 

[PapaBearJay]

That's a good idea. Better than my initial thought which was to spray Starsan on them, which would probably kill the seeds too. I think I'm gonna make me some hop tea to spray as well.

It should only damage them post-germination, the seed coat functions very much like a semi-permeable membrane. Plus, you could have had an extremely dilute solution and tested that as well.

One thing to note, a rinse with 70% Ethanol for 5-10 minutes will kill all microorganisms present and functions very well as a sterilizing agent.

Everclear is useful!!


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[brewerelated]

Would ethanol work post germination or is that something that you have to do prior to germination?

How about Isopropyl alcohol? would that work is the alcohol percentage too low or is the alcohol type not as effective?

One more question. Once seeds start to germinate about how long after should you see true leaves?

 

[PapaBearJay]

I would recommend doing it prior to germination, as the radicle (emerging root) will be looking for moisture and ethanol will dry out the radicle.

Any form of alcohol should work, but the lower the percentage, the longer you'll have to treat the seeds.

I can't say positively, as some were quite rapid, and others have taken lots of time. It varies...

 

[alane1]

Providing a hop plant is healthy and vigorous, will it produce enough rootstock the first year to overwinter in cold climates?

 

[PapaBearJay]

Providing a hop plant is healthy and vigorous, will it produce enough rootstock the first year to overwinter in cold climates?

Yes.


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[PapaBearJay]

Pulled out trays late last week of new seed lots, oh boy!

23 new seedlings from several families.

 

[brewerelated]

I've gotten 7 seeds to germinate so far. I have transferred the germinated seeds into little Jiffy Pellets.

I place the germinated seed in the opening at the top of the pellet and covered it with a tiny bit of dirt so that the seed won't be exposed.

However I am not seeing any growth at all. I wonder if I am doing something wrong. It seems like my seeds germinate and then they just don't grow anymore after I plant them.

 

[DarkCoder]

I've gotten 7 seeds to germinate so far. I have transferred the germinated seeds into little Jiffy Pellets.

I place the germinated seed in the opening at the top of the pellet and covered it with a tiny bit of dirt so that the seed won't be exposed.

However I am not seeing any growth at all. I wonder if I am doing something wrong. It seems like my seeds germinate and then they just don't grow anymore after I plant them.

Don't worry, I you were gently and haven't broke them while putting them in Jiffy, they sometimes take around 1 week to show up.

 

[alane1]

One more question. Once seeds start to germinate about how long after should you see true leaves?

The 4 cell tray on the right was planted 4/12, as you can see, like PBJ said it varies. The 3 seem to be about the same height and the 4th is just taking it's time.

 

[PapaBearJay]

70 seedlings as of this morning. I'll need to double-check the number of families involved, but it'll be a good season.


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[alane1]

Is anyone having problems with aphids?

 

[DarkCoder]

Is anyone having problems with aphids?

Aphids are not out here, still cold at night. Not all trees have their leaves yet, in fact leave's buds on trees are only starting to wake up. My hop plants are outside eaven if it's cold at night...few leaves died or wrinkled a bit but the general health of my plants is ok after their first week outside.

I have a few hop leaves that are lightly eaten by slugs.

 

[PapaBearJay]

Aphids are not out here, still cold at night. Not all trees have their leaves yet, in fact leave's buds on trees are only starting to wake up. My hop plants are outside eaven if it's cold at night...few leaves died or wrinkled a bit but the general health of my plants is ok after their first week outside.



I have a few hop leaves that are lightly eaten by slugs.

No aphids here either, I'm about in the same boat as DC though, all my stuff has only awaken over the past 2 weeks or so.


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[alane1]

The aphids are on my plants inside. I was thinking about buying some ladybugs.

 

[DarkCoder]

The aphids are on my plants inside. I was thinking about buying some ladybugs.

Hummm...aphids and ladybugs inside your house ?!? Will you be selling tickets for your insect museum soon ??

What about taking your plants outside, spraying them with insecticidal soap and bringing them back inside ?

 

[alane1]

Hummm...aphids and ladybugs inside your house ?!? Will you be selling tickets for your insect museum soon ??

What about taking your plants outside, spraying them with insecticidal soap and bringing them back inside ?

then I wouldn't have the satisfaction of seeing them eaten.

 

[PapaBearJay]

then I wouldn't have the satisfaction of seeing them eaten.

Exactly!

 

[alane1]

ladybugs are f**king awesome!!![ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaDTlVwKgck[/ame]

 

[PapaBearJay]

ladybugs are f**king awesome!!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaDTlVwKgck

If you turn your volume up really high you can hear the shrill cry of the devoured aphids.

 

[PapaBearJay]

85 seedlings across 11 families today. I best hurry up and get my "breeding grounds" situation fixed.

 

[B-Hoppy]

ladybugs are f**king awesome!!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaDTlVwKgck

Waaay nice! You gotta love the way their little legs kick and flinch until the very end!!!!!