14 replies to this topic

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

So I feel pretty confident we won't get any hard frosts at this point. I was thinking of planting tomorrow but I noticed that it's going to rain all through the weekend more or less. Is this bad for the hops? I don't want to rot them before they can really take hold.Also - how do I figure out which way is up? Do I kind of lay them down on their sides? One of my rhizomes has little white shoots on it already but they seemingly point in all kinds of directions. The other rhizome pretty much looks like a stick so I'm not sure how to figure out which way is up for that one. Any help from the hop growers out there would be appreciated - thanks! [mod edit - image removed]

[ncbeerbrewer]

Now this is my first year growing so I can't advise you on the water and planting. For which direction, if you can determine what direction the buds are growing then plant is so that they grow up through the soil. If you can't determine that then you are supposed to plant them horizontial. Thats what I hear read and followed. Where did you get your rhizomes. Those look like branches as compared to the ones that I got but now that is almost 2 and a half weeks 4 of 5 rhizomes here are sprouting out of the ground. Good Luck. I know someone can advise you here on the planting.

[BarelyBrews]

I would put them in separate buckets filled mostly with premium topsoil, drill some holes in the bottom . Then they can be moved anytime you want or repositioned towards the sun,etc,,, I would put them in the bucket at a forty five degree angle. In your case i would put the wider edge down, and the narrower sides more up. Cover with 2-3 inches on top . You should see activity in five days or so, i would not add water myself. Just the premium topsoil.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Now this is my first year growing so I can't advise you on the water and planting. For which direction, if you can determine what direction the buds are growing then plant is so that they grow up through the soil. If you can't determine that then you are supposed to plant them horizontial. Thats what I hear read and followed. Where did you get your rhizomes. Those look like branches as compared to the ones that I got but now that is almost 2 and a half weeks 4 of 5 rhizomes here are sprouting out of the ground. Good Luck. I know someone can advise you here on the planting.

I bought them from fresh hops.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I would put them in separate buckets filled mostly with premium topsoil, drill some holes in the bottom . Then they can be moved anytime you want or repositioned towards the sun,etc,,, I would put them in the bucket at a forty five degree angle. In your case i would put the wider edge down, and the narrower sides more up. Cover with 2-3 inches on top . You should see activity in five days or so, i would not add water myself. Just the premium topsoil.

I have a raised bed all ready for these guys that gets a pretty good amount of sun.

[RommelMagic]

I've always just planted mine horizontally and never looked backEDIT: As far as the rain, if the drainage is OK then I'd say go ahead and plant. If it is going to downright pour, ya might want to hold off

Edited by RommelMagic, 05 May 2009 - 06:11 PM.

[Greatfookin]

The rhizome in your picture has sprouts on both ends. It must be planted HORIZONTALLY (2 inches deep). If it had sprouts on one end only, I would recommend vertically, with the end with the sprouts up.

[AAASTINKIE]

I'm way north of you (mile 130 on 95), my Cascade hops planted 2 years ago are 1 foot high already and it was 30 degrees the other night and it didn't bother them, I planted mine on their sides.

[cbbrown40]

Put them in the ground. You will be fine. 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep and don't look back

[Deerslyr]

FWIW I boought a rhizomes with white shoots. I actually planted them shallow enough so that they were exposed and within a week, they turned green and are growing nicely. My 2nd year hops are already 10 or 12 feet high.

[TheOtherNate]

Disclaimer: I live in San Antonio and our temps were in the 90's today. We're in stage 1 drought, so it's pretty dry.I put mine horizontal 1-2 inches under, mixing ozmocote into the soil and spinkling a bit on top of the hill that. I water the fertilizer in, but then our soil dries out relatively quick compared to New England.Unless you have problems with standing water or expect a long rainy week without sun, I wouldn't worry about planting right before the rain (in fact, I would encourage it).The stuff is a weed and grows a heck of alot better than anything else I've tried to grow, you'll be fine.Nate

[Zulu]

ZyYou are fine for planting. The rule is plant new hop rhizomes within a week of official last frost date. Secod year will be peaking up in the snow , they can take quite a bit of cold once established.Raised beds are best like you have prepared - Horizontal is safest if not sure , they will grow no matter how you plant them. Dust with rooting compound first, toss in a large handful of potting soil , lay the rhizome down and cover with a mix of potting soil and the regular soil. Tamp down well, no air must be left around the rhizomes - I actually stand on the mound making a depression for the water to gather in, and cover with mulch. I water well and then watch carefully after that and do not over water until plant is at least 2-3ft tall. Rain usually keeps my new rhizomes with enough water after that until they get well up the ropes. You actually want to stress the plant a bit once it is growing to make it put deeper roots down.My 2 years experience , and was based on advice from a horticulturist in the lack of other professional advice , is to let all greenery grow year one, more green equals more roots, which you need in future years. You want to feed every 3-4 weeks and water well after they get growing, but wait till about 2-3 feet, it may take until July for you for year one. I have found emperical data that shows fully grown hops need about 1 gallon per day in full growth cycle, but most farms water either once or twice a week for longer times, those with sandy soil do the twice routine. So it doesn't take a lot , and in very hot weather they might wilt to let you know they need a drink, but will recover immediately after watering.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Here's the garden - still no hops to show here.I just used some loam and mixed in some composted manure. I mulched the non-hop areas. I realize these are a little bit close but since they are the same variety I'm not too worried.[mod edit - image removed]

[ncbeerbrewer]

Zym, you just gave me a good idea on how to trellis my hops if you do get beyond the top of my fence that I planted them near. Mine here in NC 4 of 5 are growing and I saw the shoots come up about 1.5-2 weeks after I planted them. Now they are about 3 4 inches above the mulch. I like your set up though and I bet I could get a hook like you got at Lowes as well. Hope yours grow well!!Mike

[TheOtherNate]

Here's the garden - still no hops to show here.

I like your setup... attractive and funtional. I'd like to see it again when the growth reaches the top.Nate