Growing Hops

[BenP78]

Has anyone tried growing their own hops?

I just purchased some rhizomes from freshops.com and all the info they had about growing them seemed to say that it wasn't that dificult. The only other plant I've tried growing is a cactus (purchased at walmart 4 years ago and still going strong).

I'll be growing Chinook and Willamette, thinking of training them to grow sideways on the porch of my apartment, sort of a privacy screen.

What do you think? Any tips/suggestions? I'm eager to hear what you all have to say!

[batkins]

We planted ours, we are in Vancouver, Washington, a couple of weeks ago. First time growers here, too. Sounded like a fairly simple proposition. We'll see. We are growing ours along a hand rail, off the deck and across a trellis. Hopefully we'll see some growth soon!

[Richard English]

Hops are a very hardy vine which grow wild in many places. There are many varieties but in the UK the best known are probably Fuggles and Goldings.

Hops are bisexual plants but the cones do not need to be fertilized to develop. Indeed, many growers try assidiously to eliminate the male plants since fertilised cones will have small seeds that some claim makes the beer difficult to clear.

Remember, when the hops have been picked they need to be dried before use - but apart from that it's certainly easier to grow your own hops than it would be to grow your own barley!

[paul84043]

Uhhh....how do you tell the male plants from the female plants? Do you peek under thier leaves?

[Richard English]

Only the female plants produce the cones and thus can easily by identified by these cream-coloured, slightly rounded protruberences.

The males are of no value (no comments, please, from the ladies on this board).

For a very comprehensive treatise on hops go to http://www.hops.co.uk

[paul84043]

Ahh, yes the slightly rounded protuberances..I remember those. Then I got married.

Haven't seen them since, thus my fascination with beer.

[batkins]

We actually had a couple of days of sun in the Willamette Valley. I got out, checked on the rhizomes and........lo and behold, there are sprouts coming outta the ground. So far, so good!

:D

[DaddyMakesBeer]

I've had great luck with mine (Cascade and Willamette) in pots. A few things to keep in mind: They're thirsty plants and like lotsa water. They also seem to really appreciate MiracleGro.

Most the literature I've seen says they spend their first year establishing roots and won't produce many cones. I, on the other hand, had hops galore the first year.

You'll probably get a number of sprouts. Pinch all but three or four of the biggest. You don't need any more than that, and the limited number lets the plant focus its growing energy on the remaining shoots.

And yeah, they will grow like crazy, probably 15 feet the first year, so make sure you get the shoots on something to climb. I just use garden twine. Gently wrap the bines (what the "vines" are actualy called) clockwise around your twine and they'll do the rest.

I recommend having a beer when you water 'em. Just seems right.

dmb

[b3s]

how much and what kind of sun? our balcony faces east and we get decent enough morning sun, but little or no afternoon sun.

oh, and thanks for the tip on watering...one of the things i'll have to get used to living in a 10% humidity climate :)

now i just have to figure out if my climate will support the hops i want to grow. i'll probably just grow my finishing/aroma hops since i've heard that pellets are more efficient for bittering but that whole hops are definitely more aromatic.

[batkins]

Full sun from what I read. Anyone else know different? I put mine on the south side of the house. I have 2 in the ground and 2 in barrel halves.

[gardenallyear]

I haven't been very successful with my beermaking (you can see how I've learned that a hydrometer isn't just for determing how much alcohol your going to get in another post), but I am pretty good at growing stuff. I ordered a Nugget and Willamette and can't wait to get them in the ground.

My botanist says they like moist soil, lots of sun and plenty of water. Moist soil not wet. She also says they are really easy to grow and can sometimes grow a foot a day.

She also recommends using bat guano as the perfect fertilizer. A good place to find some is your local bat cave or www.gardenallyear.com

b3s - She thinks you can still grow them sucessfully with morning sun but they probably won't flourish.

[b3s]

i've got a pretty green thumb myself and i'm pretty sure that we get enough sunlight, but i wanted to check...i mean, if they are full sun, then i just have to make some alterations, that's all :)

[BluesHarp]

Make sure your soil Ph is on the acidic side; you can add Muracid if need be. I grew some when I lived in MN on the south side of my house in pure sand. They nearly engulfed the entire house!
The only thing I have read is that it is hard to determine the Alpha of home grown hops due to the variances in moisture, soil, etc., but they are wonderful for flavor and aroma.
I have had great results from Cascade and Williamette (basically seedless fuggles)
If you are into crafty things, people will pay obscene prices for wreathes and garlands made from hops. just cut some vines before they are fully ripe.

[batkins]

Went outside and looked at my hop vines today...........I'll be damned if there aren't little hop buds all over the place. I wasn't really expecting any, being the first year and all. After spring kicked in, they ended up being in a little more shade than I had planned, but I guess it's ok.

Pretty cool!

Cheers,
Bill