2018 Hop Plantations

[alm0nde]

Thanks mate, that's the plan for tomorrow. Have a Chinook down in the garden that's looking good so at least I'll get some hops this year!

 

[The hop cartel]

Little down in bine size compared to last season.....but the cones are huge

 

[Bhundoo]

Some awesome looking backyard hops here!

 

[mofox1]

Little down in bine size compared to last season.....but the cones are hugeView attachment 111316View attachment 111317View attachment 111318

I reduced my bine count per line to 3 (instead of 4-5 last year) and I got the same result. Not necessarily causal, but last year there was so much vegetation up high (and so many f*cking flowers) that a lot of the flowers were smallish and pale. Sort of small acorn size and shape.

This year, although a lower quantity of flowers, they are huge and green and look freaking awesome. Next year I'll drop it down to 2 per bine and see how the quality goes... not too concerned about getting a reduced harvest, I've still got 2015 flowers to go thru...!

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

Picking begins next weekend.

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Can I bring my own bag.

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

Can I bring my own bag.

If you want to come and help pick, I'm happy to send you home with some.

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

Little down in bine size compared to last season.....but the cones are hugeView attachment 111316View attachment 111317View attachment 111318

Same here, less cones, much bigger size this year. Probably the same yield in weight.

 

[fungrel]

Anyone know why I'm seeing this only on the Mt Hood varieties, and not on any others? All plants have had same watering / feeding schedules.

 

[Bhundoo]

Looks like blight any sign of bugs in the infected cone or plants?

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

If it is localised, I'd say some type of bug is infesting them. I get a little of this every year and remove it as soon as I see it. Could be blight, but it usually starts at the tip and grows up the flower, and does not usually come on until later in the growth cycle...not in burr stage.

 

[Bhundoo]

If it is localised, I'd say some type of bug is infesting them. I get a little of this every year and remove it as soon as I see it. Could be blight, but it usually starts at the tip and grows up the flower, and does not usually come on until later in the growth cycle...not in burr stage.

I was thinking that too. Maybe also some really hot windy days?

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

I was thinking that too. Maybe also some really hot windy days?

Could be. It looks like they are browning from the stig outwards which is why I'm thinking it may be getting munched on from inside. The outside of the bracts and leaves look healthy.

 

[fungrel]

Could be. It looks like they are browning from the stig outwards which is why I'm thinking it may be getting munched on from inside. The outside of the bracts and leaves look healthy.

Last three days were hot, windy and unusually humid, and this has only occurred on the very small burrs that have developed over the last week.

I've been struggling with spider mites, but no evidence of any critters on leaves or in the area. Also starting to wonder if there isn't sufficient air flow around the plants. Some of the cones may be showing signs of tip blight, but as you said it's strange that the burrs are being affected so soon?

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

Last three days were hot, windy and unusually humid, and this has only occurred on the very small burrs that have developed over the last week.

I've been struggling with spider mites, but no evidence of any critters on leaves or in the area. Also starting to wonder if there isn't sufficient air flow around the plants. Some of the cones may be showing signs of tip blight, but as you said it's strange that the burrs are being affected so soon?

A bad infestation of spider mites will cause all the flowers on the plant to brown.

 

[good4whatAlesU]

I might give the predatory mites a go next year - anyone given them a go?

https://bugsforbugs.com.au/product/persimilis/

 

[Bhundoo]

I might give the predatory mites a go next year - anyone given them a go?

https://bugsforbugs.com.au/product/persimilis/

I have used them well worth it. we have no tssm on our main plants but our test plants are infected.. You really need to release at the first sign off infection. I would eco oil first then release predatory mites. [emoji4]

 

[Danscraftbeer]

Aquaponic Cascade well endowed as usual. Burring up like crazy.

Chinook strong as ever too.

Corridors of Red Earth, Goldings, Hallertau all fairly average this year since a heat wave in spring sent them into premature flowering before they developed properly really messed them up and now they are just going into re-burring stage.

The sad Tettnang. It just doesn't seem to handle Melbourne weather. Its the first to eagerly kick off early spring then is very vulnerable, actually seems like a magnet for pest attack. The weekest of them. 2nd year fail now but I may as well give them another year to see if they adapt at all maybe...

 

[Belgrave Brewer]

I might give the predatory mites a go next year - anyone given them a go?

https://bugsforbugs.com.au/product/persimilis/

I've used both Persimilis and Californicus combined with great success. It's probably overkill for the backyard grower. As Bhundoo said, Eco Oil is an inexpensive option comparatively. They will spread rapidly in the right conditions.

 

[good4whatAlesU]

Thanks Belgrave and Bhundoo, next year (hopefully if I'm still growing) I'll give both those a go.

I whacked the mites with some heavy stuff this year (it worked) but I don't really want to do that again.