2009 Hop Plantations

[Mitternacht Brauer]

Hi guys ,

Just finished the first pickings from my Hersbrucker. I got enough to fill a two liter jug . I am trying out the Aldi dehyrator . Still have plenty of immature cones and flowers on it .

The Cluster has a heap of cones that are not quite ready and lots of flowers .

The Cascade has lots flowers , which is OK because it was a very small zome when I got it last year .

The Hallertau is a bigger plant than the Cascade but hasn't got very many flowers at all.

 

[Greg Lawrence]

Harvested the 1st lot today.
There are still more on the vine which are not ready yet and still some flowers which havent turned into full cones yet.
My biggest problem is that I cant remember what type they are.
I think that they are Chinook, but they could be colombus?
Thats just over 300G (wet)


Gregor

 

[manticle]

Must be almost as satisfying as brewing your fisrt AG.

I'm like a small child rubbing my hands in anticipation.

 

[sbidese]

Must be almost as satisfying as brewing your fisrt AG.

I'm like a small child rubbing my hands in anticipation.

Guys - when do you know the cones are to be picked?
Does anyone have a close up picture?

Cheers,

Simon

 

[QldKev]

Guys - when do you know the cones are to be picked?
Does anyone have a close up picture?

Cheers,

Simon

Break one open and have a look at the lupulin.
Not ready: Greeny Yellow
Ready: Bight Yellow
Over ripe: Orangish or the bracts start to turn red/brown (Don't let your hops get this way)

QldKev

 

[sbidese]

Break one open and have a look at the lupulin.
Not ready: Greeny Yellow
Ready: Bight Yellow
Over ripe: Orangish or the bracts start to turn red/brown (Don't let your hops get this way)

QldKev

Thanks QLDKev for the prompt reply....thats awesome.

 

[Darkman]

I've noticed everyone people are drying out there cones. I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried wet hopping and whether i't worth trying.

 

[QldKev]

I've noticed everyone people are drying out there cones. I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried wet hopping and whether i't worth trying.

There was a thread a year or two ago about the differences it is one of the most opinionated topics around. IMHO I think there is a definite difference, but it will also come down to the hop variety - I love my MT Hood for wet hopping. For wet hopping I also only do flame out additions; the remaining are normal dried hops.

I also freeze my hops wet. When they freeze the moisture in the cells cause them to rupture; and they go slimy when you defrost them for use. I personally have not found any issues with this; it is more an appearance issue than a flavour. Geeze I love the smell of opening a bag of wet hops. I no longer dry any of my hops.

You do need to allow that wet hops weigh a lot more than the dried hops when doing you hop additions.

QldKev

 

[Darkman]

There was a thread a year or two ago about the differences it is one of the most opinionated topics around. IMHO I think there is a definite difference, but it will also come down to the hop variety - I love my MT Hood for wet hopping. For wet hopping I also only do flame out additions; the remaining are normal dried hops.

I also freeze my hops wet. When they freeze the moisture in the cells cause them to rupture; and they go slimy when you defrost them for use. I personally have not found any issues with this; it is more an appearance issue than a flavour. Geeze I love the smell of opening a bag of wet hops. I no longer dry any of my hops.

You do need to allow that wet hops weigh a lot more than the dried hops when doing you hop additions.

QldKev

Thanks QldKev,

I have a 1st year Mt Hood that has yielded quite well so I'll definately try wet hopping this variety. I've tried dried Cascade cones in my brews last year and was very happy with the results so it will be interesting to compare the two different method this year.

 

[Mantis]

Second harvest of chinook 140g wet
Got the dehydrator on lowest setting. This is correct isnt it?

 

[barls]

Thanks QldKev,

I have a 1st year Mt Hood that has yielded quite well so I'll definately try wet hopping this variety. I've tried dried Cascade cones in my brews last year and was very happy with the results so it will be interesting to compare the two different method this year.

im glad its doing so well, this is the second one ive heard from that i sold thats doing really well. ive wet hopped but not with the mt hood only the wurtenburger i also grow.

 

[sbidese]

Hi Guys,
As stated Photo's added.
Some first year Cascade

Cheers,


Simon

 

[Darkman]

im glad its doing so well, this is the second one ive heard from that i sold thats doing really well. ive wet hopped but not with the mt hood only the wurtenburger i also grow.

The Mt hood took a while to take off and develop buds compared the some other varieties but I'm extremely happy with the yield this year. I'll have to post some photos tomorrow.

 

[Darkman]

Here's some hop porn for everyones enjoyment. The first pic is a 1st year Mt Hood while the 2nd pic is also a 1st year Hersbucker

 

[Darkman]

1st year Chinook with heaps of fuzzy cones.2nd year Cascade was late to develop cones but looks like will yield very well this year.

 

[Hutch]

View attachment 35284 1st year Chinook with heaps of fuzzy cones.View attachment 352852nd year Cascade was late to develop cones but looks like will yield very well this year.

Incredible number of cones for first year plants! What have you been feeding them?

I think my plant's need some serious talking to - got nowhere near this many cones developing on any of them

 

[drsmurto]

Incredible number of cones for first year plants! What have you been feeding them?

I think my plant's need some serious talking to - got nowhere near this many cones developing on any of them

Only my chinook is covered in flowers. The rest (cascade, POR, goldings and victoria) are only just starting so i wouldn't stress just yet Hutch.

Liquid potash is gold for flower production, much better than fertilisers high in nitrogen. If you take Peter Cundall's word as gospel then it enables the plant to better utilise the nitrogen in the soil promoting higher flowering over leaf production leading to higher fruit yield.

Its worked on my tomatoes which are taller than me and covered in fruit.

 

[devo]

Although my tettnang started out quite promising they have succumb to spider mite infestation. I have tried using the appropriate sprays as suggested in earlier posts but to no avail. I found my main problem was getting access to the underside of the leaves where to majority of the critters would be.

I will have to try a different trellis set up next year.

 

[Darkman]

Incredible number of cones for first year plants! What have you been feeding them?

I think my plant's need some serious talking to - got nowhere near this many cones developing on any of them

I feed with any fertilizer high in nitrogen in spring until I see the buds start forming off the laterals which is when I switch to using potash(powdered form)only as a fertilizer.

 

[Darkman]

Although my tettnang started out quite promising they have succumb to spider mite infestation. I have tried using the appropriate sprays as suggested in earlier posts but to no avail. I found my main problem was getting access to the underside of the leaves where to majority of the critters would be.

I will have to try a different trellis set up next year.

My first plant I grew was Hallertau which in my experience doesn't handle hot weather to well and always seems to get infested by spider mites. I almost gave up trying to grow hops till I bought a Cascade rhizome which yield high in its first year and found it was more resistant to the heat and being attacked by mites.

My advice would be to try some other varieties and see what grows best for you in your area.

 

[Hutch]

Liquid potash is gold for flower production, much better than fertilisers high in nitrogen. If you take Peter Cundall's word as gospel then it enables the plant to better utilise the nitrogen in the soil promoting higher flowering over leaf production leading to higher fruit yield.

I feed with any fertilizer high in nitrogen in spring until I see the buds start forming off the laterals which is when I switch to using potash(powdered form)only as a fertilizer.

Thanks for the info guys,

Would you think it's OK to start the potash treatment now, or does it really need to be earlier in their growth (late spring / early summer)?
I've had them well watered and well feed on compost and powerfeed/seasol mix over the last few months, and they're shooting out plenty of long laterals, so quite healthy plants. Will certainly apply what I learn for next year's harvest.

Cheers,
Hutch.

 

[Darkman]

Thanks for the info guys,

Would you think it's OK to start the potash treatment now, or does it really need to be earlier in their growth (late spring / early summer)?
I've had them well watered and well feed on compost and powerfeed/seasol mix over the last few months, and they're shooting out plenty of long laterals, so quite healthy plants. Will certainly apply what I learn for next year's harvest.

Cheers,
Hutch.

Nows the perfect time to feed your hops potash.

The fertalizer you have been using would be high in nitrogen which is what you need when your plants are growing. Potash is actually potassium which is what your plants need to flower/fruit.

 

[Hutch]

Nows the perfect time to feed your hops potash.

The fertalizer you have been using would be high in nitrogen which is what you need when your plants are growing. Potash is actually potassium which is what your plants need to flower/fruit.

Just what I wanted to hear! I've picked up some Yates powder, and will get it into action tonight. Thanks for the advice Darkman.
I've always marvelled at the density of cones grown commercially (as seen in this episode of Basic Brewing Video), and expected similar in my own backyard.
They might grow like a weed, but they obviously still need a helping hand to produce a good crop.

 

[Mitternacht Brauer]

Hey Darkman,

Is that the Hersbrucker that I sent you ? Mine Started long after all my other varieties but has come through with flying colours . I took A 2L jug out the other night and filled it and then some . You can't tell that I took any. Still have lots of cones that are not ready and heaps of little flowers coming through.

Other 4 plants are slowly following .

I gave a Hersbrucker to wonder woman but I think hers was struggling last I heard. Glad to hear yours is doing OK. The Hallertau is coming along nicely.

Mitternacht Brauer ( AKA buster )

 

[ledgenko]

L&G , fantastic to see such awesome crops of Hops... Has anyone had any luck growing them in either on the Sunshine Coast (QLD) (hinterlands) or in Perth (coastal)??

 

[ajdougall]

G,Day hop growers,

Just thought I would offer my two bobs worth. I am an an agronomist and may be able to help.

Just check what sort of potash you are using, Potassium sulfate or Potassium chloride.

Potassium chloride has a high salt index and will burn roots if placed to close. In most soils Potassium sulfate is best, particullary if your soil is low in sulfur.

As for the spider mites, well they are tough to kill in any crop. Why not try ordering a bio-control agent. I am pretty sure 'Bugs for Bugs' sells predatory mites www.bugsforbugs.com.au they would do a dynamite job. The is also a species of ladybird that eats mites, they may see that one too.

Cheers

Doogs

 

[daemon]

Picked some of the Chinook and Cascade a few days ago and ended up with about 80g of each so far (dry), not a lot but not bad for first year. My goldings went crazy and I just picked 600g worth!



The aroma from the Chinook and Cascade is quite strong while the Goldings are much more subtle. Wish I had time to make a brew now, can't wait to try some of these!

 

[MVZOOM]

Picked some of the Chinook and Cascade a few days ago and ended up with about 80g of each so far (dry), not a lot but not bad for first year. My goldings went crazy and I just picked 600g worth!

View attachment 35320

The aroma from the Chinook and Cascade is quite strong while the Goldings are much more subtle. Wish I had time to make a brew now, can't wait to try some of these!

Damn - they look delicious! My first year Chinook has popped it's first few flowers - I'm off to get some potash!!

 

[Mantis]

Great harvest Daemon, am much impressed.

Picked 175g of chinook so far but lots more to come

 

[drsmurto]

Update on my hop forest..... jaysus these things can take over a garden.

Chinook cones