Comments on: First Year Hops

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:45:54 +0000

Eventually you will want to cut them down. I leave mine up to gather sunshine for energy for next year until they become ratty looking. Then I cut them down level with the ground. These bines will not come back next year. New sprouts will emerge next spring and as second year hops, you won’t believe how fast they will grow and top out. If you are in a cold climate, you will want to mulch over them to protect from freezing. Congrats on your first year!

By: Amy Ganski

Amy Ganski — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:39:50 +0000

This is my first year of growing hops. Now that the growing season is done, do I cut down all the vines from the pergola, or do I leave them. I’m not sure if they should be cut down every year.

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:04:51 +0000

When the hop cones squeeze easily (squeeze almost flat) and bounce back and are papery feeling, they are ready to harvest. If they are not ready, they will feel fairly solid (not squeeze easily).

By: Hop Tender

Hop Tender — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:46:31 +0000

I planted hops in early April & only let them go about 8ft high. (Plan to go highr next year) This is only my first year crop in Sierra foothills of California. I planted Cascade, Centential & Chinook. All are doing quite well with many cones. My question is when to harvest? Some are beginning to turn pale & I don’t want them to dry out.

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:19:39 +0000

Hugh,
I am not sure how to tell the difference between male and female hop plants. My guess is you have to let them mature and if they don’t produce hop cones (and produce pollen sacks instead) those are the males and you want to dig them up. You should always start with hop rhizomes. then you know you have female hops (they don’t sell male hop rhizomes at least not to the general public). Hope this helps.

By: FireIslander(NY)

FireIslander(NY) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:32:17 +0000

You guys are light-years ahead of me! My question is simple, I actually planted 20 hop seeds (10 of each, Saaz & Hallertau that I got in Germany this Spring) and got 14 sprouts. Babysat the heck out of them! I planted late, so expect nothing this year, though a few plants have already sent out rhizomes that popped up a few days back. My question is – how do I tell the males from the females? What should I look for? Do I just pluck them out or what? I cannot find any info on this on the net. Thank you (all) in advance.
Kind regards,
Hugh

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:28:16 +0000

I am not aware of any nutrient that would help the hop plants withstand the heat any better. Maybe someone from Arizona could chime in with advice. First year hops require frequent watering. Does your soil retain water or does it immediately drain? I would mulch over the top of the soil with some light colored mulch to keep the soil from baking and help retain water. You might try a drip irrigation setup. If I come across any info on helping hops survive the heat I will let you know. Good luck!

By: surprise nuggets

surprise nuggets — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:17:38 +0000

112 the hops are up to about two and a half feet but dont want to grow. I’ve been watering daily but took a day off to go to the beer festival in flagstaff this weekend. When I got back some of the leaves were scorched and crispy dry. I have started watering twice a day now and hope that solves the problem. We shall see. Is there a certain nutrient that might help them ward off the heat any better?

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:59:33 +0000

Keep us posted on how they do in the heat (110+). Keep them watered and Best of luck!

By: surprise nuggets

surprise nuggets — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:54:15 +0000

The hops are up about a foot now and seem to be doing fine. I thinned them three days ago, just too many coming up. Going to be 110 degrees this weekend but I’m not too worried. They seem to be hoppy and strong. Growing hops in Arizona seems to be working very well!!… so far