Topic: Growing Hops

[DavidW]

Last year I grew my hops up bamboo canes, this year I would like to grow these hops even higher, would nylon string be ok for them to grow up (14foot high is my target)

Thanks
David

[Derekthefox]

How strong is your string. Hops will grow anywhere I believe, from my neighbour's efforts.

[Lizard Man]

Hops will scramble up anything it seems. I grow them in my garden and use green gardening string. However, the hop plants do so well the string does sometimes break by the end of the season under the weight of the bines. I have also used thin gardening wire, but harvesting is harder. :-\

[westsussexlottie]

Where can you buy hops from to grow? And when do they have to be planted?

Would love to try this.

[philcooper]

http://www.farminabox.com/mall/TheFarminaBox/products/product-826860.stm are offering them at £6 a root.

According to another site they are supplied until the end of April

Phil

[westsussexlottie]

Thanks. I might try these next year. Running out of space this year!

[Lizard Man]

Westsussexlottie,

Beware of certain hop plants - you can pick up ornamental hop plants (Golden Hop) from garden centres, but these won't necessarily give you 'hops'. The hops are the flower of the female hop plant while the male plant produces catkins. The Golden Hop is a lovely plant, with stunning bronzy gold leaves. But it can be disappointing if you are expecting the classic hop flowers. You can take a trip into Kent where the few remaining hop farms normally sell them, and you can be sure of female plants from them (or at least the ones I have bought always been female ones).

Should be able to pick them up March and April.