How to care for your hops

[William]

Hi guys,

I have been lucky enough to get some hops from some of you online here and was wondering if anyone had advice on the best way to look after them? Any tips on pruning, feeding etc would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Will

[Damon Colbert]

Hi William,

I found this somewhere on the internet.  It's a little more geared towards commercial growers, but it has useful information.

Good luck.

[Damon Colbert]

The TL;DNR version:  Plant in a spot with good drainage, and the best sun possible (all day is best).  Give a few feet between planting out rhizomes, and cover the crown with a bit of mulch to protect them and help retain moisture. 

Frequent (daily) short watering.

When they start sprouting, select your best 3-4 shoots, and ruthlessly prune the rest (you can actually plant these out like cuttings - I've got a planter box full of cuttings that have taken off like the parents).  They prefer to grow vertically, so you have to train them every day to grow horizontal.

If, when the plants have a substantial amount of foliage, the lower (older) leaves start to yellow, throw on a small handful of fertiliser &/or compost - they might be low on nutrients after growing 2-3 feet a day.

[Robbie]

I have mine in a raised garden box I built and it seems to be doing well. It is only it's first year so I don't expect too much from it's yield this year. 

I'm growing them up and horizontally along my deck hand rail. Worm wees added now and then and a quick watering each day. They are actually quite impressive and it's fun too see the difference in growth each day.

[Scott H]

Yeah its pretty knarly when you come home and there's another foot of growth that needs training. Mine are starting to flower now I feed mine with thrive plant food a couple of times a week.