Growing Hops??

[evanvine]

My hops are still covered with 14cm of snow, but I doubt if they are budding yet!
Mind you, last year they were all budding by early Feb.

 

[Robbo100]

Hi Guys,

I am considering buying some hops from here. I have only just started AG brewing, but if figure - in for a penny, in for a pound! I have a couple of questions, which I have not found specific answers to in this thread:

Question 1: If I were to get some roots from somewhere like here: http://www.willingham-nurseries.co.uk/hop3.html what would be the best time of year to order be (is there a risk they will rot if I plant them too early in the year whilst there is frost risk)?

Question 2: Realistically, I think I can get 4 or so vines in the garden (actually I can get loads more but the wife will kill me!). What sort of yeilds can I expect from these 4 plants (when they are fully established), and considering this yeild am I better off having 4 different species, or should I stick to just one or two?

Thanks

Robbo100

 

[evanvine]

Time to order is March and in season 3 - 4 you should be getting 1 - 1.5 kg per bine.

 

[Robbo100]

Thanks for the answers.

Maybe I only need 2 plants then!

I can only imagine ever doing a maximum of about 10 brews per year, which will only need around 700 g of hops. I am glad I asked!

 

[Asalpaws]

I planted two cascade rhizomes in January. Despite the snow they seem to be showing signs of life. They're about 8 stems per rhizome, should I let them all grow or just keep 4 or so ? Cheers T

As a side note, it's really nice in Staffordshire today! Made me go out into the garden....

 

[danb]

i am thinking about buying a few different types of hops from the site mentioned before. will they be ok planted next to my shed and grew up the side and over the top if need be? I really want to do this but have no idea on how it needs to be done. other than the shed there is a fence at the bottom of the garden that is 6ft high but behind and over the top is a huge bush that I think will interfere. thanks

 

[Asalpaws]

My experiance last year is that they are most happy growing straight up. They did grow horizontally but the best plants were the ones that went straight up. You need to plant ASAP as the season is getting on. T

 

[evanvine]

They're about 8 stems per rhizome, should I let them all grow or just keep 4 or so

1 per Rhizome, they need to establish their root system first!
+ only one rhizome per pot.

 

[Asalpaws]

Cheers, just need to keep the snow off them! T

 

[evanvine]

Not sure where you're located AP, but my hops have still to make a show!

 

[danb]

would i be able to plant 3 types of hops across the end of the shed which is 8ft wide? or is this not enough space for them i could put 2 on the side and 1 on the corner. once they get upto a certain height can they be stopped at that height or do you need to just let them go? and what sort of prep work needs doing to the soil before planting them at the moment its grass where i want to plant them.

 

[evanvine]

When you prune to height they will bush out, so you may only get 1 on your shed end.
I don't give mine any special treatment other than a bit of liquid feed now and again, they grow like bloody Convolvulous!

 

[Asalpaws]

Not sure where you're located AP, but my hops have still to make a show!

I'm in Staffordshire, there are still 2 meter deep snow drifts in some places but the hops don't seem to notice. I have some at my parents house in north wales, they are also starting to grow?

 

[evanvine]

I don't think the hop gods can like me very much!

 

[sam.k]

I've just ordered a fuggles rhizome, it may be a bit late to get a crop this year but I can certainly get the plant established for next year. Depending on how this one goes I may get a few other varieties that I use often.

 

[JKaranka]

Got a new brewer's gold, potted about a month ago. Two stems of 3-4 inches that point towards the sun!

 

[BIGJIM72]

3 hop plant in the ground not showing yet,2 in pots have just started to sprout. I suppose the pots warmed up quicker.

 

[sam.k]

Well my fuggles is in, now it's time for the waiting game

 

[evanvine]

Wey hey! My fuggles and my goldings have at last produced shoots, just waiting for my brambling and my northdown.
Things must be warming up, the spiders are coming out!

 

[MadrikXIV]

I'm hoping to get my hands on some hop plants shortly.

My parents live in Phippsville in Northampton, nicknamed due to the Phipps brewery connection of many moons ago, and my mum found some growing in the garden

I have no idea what kind they are