Any idea what's wrong with my hop plant?

[Rupe]

Hi - just wondering if anyone had any idea what might be wrong with my hop plant - its a centennial and about 3 years old - nearly all the leaves are starting to turn brown like this and some are dying back completely. Last year it grew really well....

Thanks

 

[chthon]

Most probably mildew, but I would welcome a second opinion.

 

[An Ankoù]

It's sad because there are no squirrels.

 

[grooves]

looks like downy mildew - remove the leaves at the bottom of the plant as these can remain wet after watering which doesn't help with mildew.

 

[foxy]

Weather plays a big part in the health of a plant, if they are the lower leaves and you still have green leaves budding higher up I wouldn't worry. If every leaf is dying and falling off then you have a problem.

 

[Cwrw666]

The last few years mine have gone like that on the first bines up but then they've produced spurs with the hops on. Middle of may seems a bit early though.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Yep, looks like downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli - the US hops tend to be rather susceptible to it, but are less affected by it at "home" as the air is so much drier in places like the Yakima Valley. Whereas it's been a pretty damp spring in the UK, and dampish, mild conditions are perfect for downy mildew. Last year we had a heatwave.... [edit - just noticed this is a revival of a necro thread, hohum. But conditions so far this year are pretty favourable for downy milder]

There's no good chemical control once you get to that stage - copper can help early on, before you see significant signs of it - all you can do is encourage good air circulation around the plant and destroy (burn) infected tissue, don't compost it unless you have a really healthy compost heap.

 

[foxy]

To me it looks more like leaf scorch, I don't think its a mildew.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/hops/hops-plant-diseases.htm

 

[Northern_Brewer]

To me it looks more like leaf scorch, I don't think its a mildew.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/hops/hops-plant-diseases.htm

Nah, that purply colour is very typical of downy mildew on hops (which that site doesn't have any pictures of). The other classic symptom is lime green spikes with small leaves, but that only happens if it's got into the crown.

Anyway - I'll point out again, the OP was in 2021 so this is all rather moot....

 

[sifty]

Has it been really hot/sunny?
Mine did that last year and I put it down to heat/not enough water. Was first few leaves, later ones/cones were fine...

[Edit] just noticed date of first post...

 

[foxy]

Has it been really hot/sunny?
Mine did that last year and I put it down to heat/not enough water. Was first few leaves, later ones/cones were fine...

[Edit] just noticed date of first post...

I doubt it matters about the date some of the hop growers will find the posts of interest.