Strange brown

[JamesM]

Hi, here are my first year hops, I've been really happy about them growing and now I'm thinking about harvest. They feel like they are starting to dry and I can finally see the yellow powder but from what I've read I expected them to feel a lot more papery before they are ready. Today I've noticed strange browning on a few of the cones. Does this mean I should pick them? I think they may need a little more time on the vine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53079121@N03/4899237900/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53079121@N03/4899237904/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53079121@N03/4899237914/

 

[JamesM]

I'm trying to post pictures but its not working

 

[rniles]

MY guess is that you're getting close to picking ...the hop farmers here hopefully will chime in but I've seen that in hop farms in Yakima. I *think* you're ok.