Comments on: Hop Bines Humulus Lupulus

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:03:40 +0000

To tell you the truth, I have never seen a male hop plant or even a picture of one. I would assume the male hop plant would have no cones – instead, some sort of pollen sacks… If anyone has pictures of male hops, let us know.

By: hbeez

hbeez — Sat, 29 May 2010 23:26:46 +0000

I started some hops from seed last year. They are doing well but I didn’t know you had to weed out the males. It makes sense now that I think about it. How do you tell the two apart?

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:55:08 +0000

Personally, I would not grow hops from seed. You will have to weed out the male hop plants which are undesirable for hop production. Being in Washington, a major hop producing state, there could also be laws against it as you could cross pollinate commercial hop crops (and personal hop growers). Not to mention, Hop seeds may not take in time to establish a viable root stalk to survive the winter (probably would not).

I would scrap the seeds, prepare your soil for next years crop and plant hop rhizomes next year instead. That is my opinion but I am sure many would back me up on this position. Kind of like the medical establishment’s Hippocratic Oath, “Do no Harm” to the existing hops crop. Sorry if that is not the answer you are looking for, but in the best interest of the hop growers, commercial and local home brewers – don’t do it. Hop rhizomes sold from reputable vendors are always female hop plants.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:26:13 +0000

I live in sunny eastern washington state. Is it too late to late to plant hops for a harvest this fall. I ordered Humulus lupulus seeds.

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:29:22 +0000

I used nylon rope (plenty strong and rot/mold/mildew resistant). I would think just about any rope or twine would do assuming it is strong enough. Just has to last for the season. I have not heard any horror stories about rope/twine failure. I always go over specification in anything I do as a precaution – I only want to do it once. I have seen some hop/rhizome vendors sell a “special” hop twine, generally in 20 foot lengths (not long enough for my setup). In my opinion, as long as it is strong enough, it should work. I will check around and see if there is any advice stating otherwise.

By: Stuart Raymond

Stuart Raymond — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:08:15 +0000

What kind of string did you use? I just strung mine up yesterday but only had basic stuff in my garage. Should there be anything specific> I heard some stuff can rot.