When to pick hops

[Wendy1971]

How do you know when the hop cones are ready to pick. Our hop plants now have cones forming some are forming quicker than others. Do they change colour texture etc ??

 

[Muddydisco]

They should be dry and papery not leathery like they will be now. Also should have fair amount of Lupin in them ( yellow stuff)

 

[Wendy1971]

Thanks Nick will keep an eye on them i think some will be ready before others :thumb:

 

[screamlead]

Not 100% but i think when they look and feel papery if that makes sense? Then they need a gentle drying on a screen or something to let air flow between them.

 

[Wendy1971]

Thanks we will be drying them on a warm windowsill in the house or upstairs if thats any good

 

[screamlead]

Thanks we will be drying them on a warm windowsill in the house or upstairs if thats any good

Think you may fry them like that they need warm conditions but with airflow all around - hence a screen of sorts - window netting over an old small window frame would do - and raised above ground level to let air circulate etc

 

[prolix]

I put mine in net curtains stretched hammock style in the attic for a few days, though I have gotten practically none this year 4 mm of rain from Jan to Jun saw to that

 

[Aleman]

Thanks we will be drying them on a warm windowsill in the house or upstairs if thats any good

Dry them in the dark away from direct heat.

I have a sheet stretched across the beams in the loft, which I spread the hops out on, leave them for a couple of days turning each day . . .job done.

I know someone else who makes newspaper pockets that a couple of hundred grams of hops get put in each and then put somewhere 'warmish' to dry, I've tried that in the past and it works well . . .shake the pockets a couple of times a day to move the hops around.

 

[Wendy1971]

We have some muslem bags would they be ok to hang the hops in. Cant use the loft as its full of ****. Was thinking of hanging in our spare bedroom

 

[Swazi]

Yay. I was going to ask the same thing as my hops are looking ready. It's my first season growing them so have no idea. Looks like I have to leave them just a little longer then. :thumb:

 

[unclepumble]

We have some muslem bags would they be ok to hang the hops in. Cant use the loft as its full of ****. Was thinking of hanging in our spare bedroom

Who were you thinking of hanging?

UP

 

[evanvine]

Listen to Aleman, how ever you dry them, once picked they must remain in the dark!
When ready, the cones will lose their fresh green colour and will feel dry with a bit of body when you squeeze them.
Cut one open, if the pockets of lupulin are a golden yellow, they are ready!

 

[Tony]

+1 to attic on a sheet!

Plant grew very well this year but my crop is looking thin. Not a good year for hops here (of course I am speaking personally).

 

[jonewer]

I put mine in net curtains stretched hammock style in the attic for a few days, though I have gotten practically none this year 4 mm of rain from Jan to Jun saw to that

Wow. Your drought was much worse than mine!

Mine did poorly until it started to rain late may. The fuggle had two weedy bines and I'd given up hope, then it just went mental!

 

[Wendy1971]

thankyou for all your answers very much appriciated :thumb: :

 

[evanvine]

Circumstances dictate that I harvest next Monday, so here's hoping. :pray:

 

[periolus]

Is it worth growing your own hops? We are going to have an allotment in a couple of months, and I was tempted to grow some, but just wondered if the quality is as good as the hops you can buy, as they aren't that expensive in bulk. Are they easy to grow?

When do you have to plant them?

 

[Wendy1971]

this photo was took today i think another week or so till we pick

 

[topgear]

this photo was took today i think another week or so till we pick

OMG there as big as a spade!!! you will only need half of one per brew :thumb:

 

[Wendy1971]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :thumb: