Hopdate # 6

Things have been a bit quiet on the hop front because after its initial growth spurt it doesn't seem to be doing much

Closer inspection shows that the leaves are looking very plae & dry, and there's even scorching on some of the tips

Hops are supposed to like sunlight, but I think positioning this one against a North-facing white wall where it bakes in the Queensland summer sun for a good 12hrs a day is probably a bit too much sun. So we've relocated it to a spot which gets the sun 'til around midday, and we'll see if it picks up at all...

 

Hopdate # 5

The Cluster hops are doing well, and because the other rhizomes didn't take off we've liberated one of the other stakes to give them some more climbing possibilities. I've tried training them, but however many times I've shouted 'sit' nothing's happened... 

 

Hopdate # 4

The hops are loving the rain and the coffee grinds trick seems to be working (thanks Mark)...I think next time I'll plant the rhizome nearer to the stake though, as it'll be able to grab hold and start climbing quicker

 

Hopdate # 3

Only one of the hops has budded, but she's doing well despite the pot being used as a toilet by one of the local cats...we've added anti-cat pellets and I'm investing in a high powered water pistol...

 

Hopdate #2

We have signs of life in one of the pots! Whoot!

 

Hopdate # 1

Nothing so far...

I think I buried the rhizomes too deeply. I've loosened the soil and gently dug down to find the rhizomes. One was loose and the other two felt like they had taken root but weren't growing up much. They were under a few inches of potting mix so I've loosened the soil up and rearranged it so the rhizomes are only an inch underground and I've given them another plant-start laden watering. Hopefully they'll still have internal oomph to break free...more news as it's made, hopefully more exciting next time!  

Hopping mad

Some ominous looking pots have gathered into the corner of our garden recently

They were eagerly awaiting the delivery of some hop rhizomes - one saaz, one cluster and one fuggles.

These are used to propagate hops - theoretically you just plant the rhizome in plenty of soil and let nature do its stuff. You can see by the new white shoots that it's keen to get on with it.

Because we don't own the property, and will probably be moving in the next year or so, I can't dig them into the ground so I'm using large containers. Each holds 2 1/2 bags of potting compost with some water retention granules mixed in, and because hops are a climbing vine that need to entrain their branches onto something I've also added in an 8' stake and some twine.  I've positioned them at different places round the house to see which sun pattern works best.

It's supposedly too warm up here to grow hops well so it's a bit of an experiment to see what happens. I dashed out eagerly this morning, but nothing so far...

Stand by for regular hopdates!