What type of shade and how much?

[Rugrad02]

I grew hops years ago when I lived in Virginia with great success. I now live in eastern NC, where the temps, heat and humidity are greater. I have some rhizomes coming my way but I still can't decide on a decent spot. I have tried to grow tomatoes and other veggies in one spot I was thinking of trying for hops along a fence but it gets too little morning sun, little air flow and a ton of the hot afternoon sun that is scorchingly dangerous to the hop plants.

I have chosen another spot in the middle of the yard that gets full sun at around 10:30am and that lasts until about 12:00pm. The spot is under canopy of a large live oak until after the warmest part of the day(2 or 3pm) and then gets full sun once again in the later afternoon. Is this an agreeable spot? I would describe this shade as filtered shade and not necessarily full shade. The leaves do allow a bit of the sun to shine through to the spot I was thinking.

 

[david_42]

With hops, the more sun the better. The biggest problem is keeping them from drying out. High humidity makes the job easier. You don't have to worry about hot, dry winds in NC. Mine get fried just before harvest time, about every other year.

 

[Brawnwitch]

I havent grown hops yet, but have been growing (legal) herbs here for a while in Georgia. I'm concerned with the same thing...too much heat. Seems that if something isn't happy somewhere, you can move it to another spot where it might do great. Anyone had any problems with transplanting hops?

 

[bigljd]

I think the spot in the middle of your yard sounds perfect. Most of the advice to give hops a fulll day of sun comes from people in the North, where the sun and heat is not as strong as down here. I think giving the plant a few hours of relief from the heat in the afternoons is not a problem, and may be helpful.
More importantly though is to give the plant a lot of good, deep soil to grow in and spread it roots out. Keep the plants watered thoroughly during the 100 degree summer days, and mulch generously around the base of the plant to help keep the roots cool.