First Time Hop Grower

I bought a couple of Cascade rhizomes today and I’ve done a little snooping around online as to what to do next. I’m planning on planting in a (large) pot and growing them up something like this. Thoughts? I’d like to take up as little space as possible as to not upset the S.O.

Are you using this as a sample as what you want? If so, I think you’ll need bigger pots and more growth area.

Hops don’t only produce beer ingredients, but they are very ornamental. If you have a place to grow them and produce shade, do so. It’s win win.

I planted two new centennials this year on either side of an old clothes line. I plan on running a hammock underneath these.

Yes, an example. How big of a pot? Can I throw two rhizomes in a pot?
In fact, I’d rather just use a straight pole or long wooden stake in the pot. Is love to take up more space with them but most likely not an option.

BYO article from a while back.

Saw that Steve thanks.

I would love to grow some hops. Frickin Army loves to move me around every 3-4 years. Might try my hand at grow ing some at my next station

Happy to report that only a week in the pot and the plant has peeked through the soil! Pics coming

Get some lines run. They’ll be at least foot long in another week.

Yeah thought about. Didn’t know it would happen this quickly. Which twine is preferred? Also, any recommendations on watering frequency? I’ve heard less frequent and heavily when you do.

I use 3/8" jute twine. Make sure you have drainage in your pots. Hops live water, but they don’t like to sit in water. I would think you would want to do the opposite of what you said. I have no experience with hops in pots, but I would think you would water as needed. Maybe every other day. You don’t want the soil to become swampy. You want the hops to be able to utilize all the water you give them.

Really, once the spring rainy season ends, you could find yourself watering these things daily. I used to plant tomatoes in a 12" pot. I had to water them buggers twice a day late summer. Hops are way larger than a tomato plant.

Not sure if it’s a drainage issue or the fact that I used 100% potting mix but it’s been damp for almost a week.

Damp shouldn’t be an issue… You don’t want a swamp. I wouldn’t stress too much. These things are easy to grow.

A brief investigation proved that the planter failed to take off the cap on the bottom of the pot, hence no draining!

Would you mind sharing when I should start to train the vines up the twine? Also, I’ve already noticed there are multiple vines sprouting up. I believe I saw that people will often put multiple vines on a twine. Thanks!

I’d wait until they’re longer and hardier. You don’t want them in the twine and have a strong windstorm that ends up breaking them off. I like to wait to prune my shooters until I’m safe from frost. I’ll probably prune back mine Wednesday this week if it’s not raining. I cut all but 3 or 4 bines and train them to go up the twine. Go clockwise with them. I’d wait awhile before pruning anything off yours since they’re first year hops. Don’t expect a lot of hop yield this year given year one is usually devoted to root growth.

Frost? It was almost 90 today!

Yep, you live in Florida lol. We’re still having nights in the 30s and had a freeze last week in Ohio, but the hops were pretty resistant of it. Anyways, I don’t think you’ll want to prune anything for awhile.

  • 1 to the pdf on this link. Everything you need to know plus a little history lesson. Very helpful.