Something is weird with my hops
- Thread starter Karmic
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Hex23
Well-Known Member
Did you have a frost?
We had a night get down to 28F and some of my leafs, especially the lower ones, have brown spots not too much unlike that.
Hex23
Well-Known Member
Shouldn't have. Maybe a lack of water?
Depending on the size of your hops and the location where u live they need a lot. I live in SC and with my second and third year hops they can take 2-3 gallons per crown per day. My new centennial hops had a bit of browning on the lower leaves. I'm pretty sure it's due to lack of water or if you have recently fertilized it can be u added to much. Keep an eye on and if u can get some more pics
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I totally wouldn't worry about it. My hops get the crap beat out of them by weather and wind and insects and the occasional frost... and they are fine.
Hex23
Well-Known Member
I should also mention that I also put about 2 gallons of water with a tablespoon of miracle grow on them, so maybe my problem is over-fertilization too. But I definitely noticed the brown on my leaves befer fertilizing and after the frost. I'd be curious to see what other diagnoses there are for this.
Hex23
Well-Known Member
It was general purpose 15-30-15. They're getting pretty big now so I'm going to start watering them more often.
WesttownBrewWorks
Member
you have spider mites...dont worry it happens in every hopyard. I use two types of spray: zeal or Vendex miticide, you can order online. If you turn the leaves over you will see the tiny bumps clusted together. Good Luck
I think you may have several issues
1.) Mites / small pests (as suggested)
2.) Possible over-watering. I know this seems counter-intuitive considering how everyone talks about how much water hops need, but when growing in a container the soil retains moisture for a far greater amount of time. Allow your soil to dry out before watering again. I live in Colorado, which is fairly arid, and I water my container hops once every two to three days, as an example.
3.) Drainage...This goes along with # 2 in that you have a very large trash can there and I can imagine your roots becoming waterlogged if the soil isnt loamy enough. Some have suggested mixing gravel in with the soil to increase drainage. I prefer peat moss. The best way to judge your own soil would be to grab a clump of it. You shouldn't be able to form it into a ball and have it keep its shape...the soil should be loose, dry, and healthy. ALSO, I assume you drilled some holes in the bottom of that baby?
4.) Fertilizer. Be careful using Miracle-Gro with your hops. Synthetic ammonium phosphate fertilizers (like Miracle-Gro) can acidify your soil beyond the proper PH range, causing the roots to suffer. I like to recommend this fertilizer. It's light, safe and organic, and when paired with proper soil preparation, only needs 2 to 3 applications over the course of the season.
5.) Your 5th and final issue is that you only have one beer. I like to go through a six-pack when working with my hops.
1.) Mites / small pests (as suggested)
2.) Possible over-watering. I know this seems counter-intuitive considering how everyone talks about how much water hops need, but when growing in a container the soil retains moisture for a far greater amount of time. Allow your soil to dry out before watering again. I live in Colorado, which is fairly arid, and I water my container hops once every two to three days, as an example.
3.) Drainage...This goes along with # 2 in that you have a very large trash can there and I can imagine your roots becoming waterlogged if the soil isnt loamy enough. Some have suggested mixing gravel in with the soil to increase drainage. I prefer peat moss. The best way to judge your own soil would be to grab a clump of it. You shouldn't be able to form it into a ball and have it keep its shape...the soil should be loose, dry, and healthy. ALSO, I assume you drilled some holes in the bottom of that baby?
4.) Fertilizer. Be careful using Miracle-Gro with your hops. Synthetic ammonium phosphate fertilizers (like Miracle-Gro) can acidify your soil beyond the proper PH range, causing the roots to suffer. I like to recommend this fertilizer. It's light, safe and organic, and when paired with proper soil preparation, only needs 2 to 3 applications over the course of the season.
5.) Your 5th and final issue is that you only have one beer. I like to go through a six-pack when working with my hops.
