National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Hops Board => Topic started by: Paul86 on January 16, 2019, 11:00:52 AM

Title: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Paul86 on January 16, 2019, 11:00:52 AM
Hi Everyone,

Im not much of a gardener but I have space for growing soem hops and think its something I might try this spring.
I have read a few articles on the process but I am just not sure what types of hops grow particularly well in Ireland.
I live in Dublin, fairly close to the coast so its quite mild. Has any one any recommendations ??
If anyone has any first hand tips on the initial planting process that would also be much appreciated.

Paul :)
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: johnrm on January 16, 2019, 12:12:29 PM
Hops will grow and there is some discussion on this elsewhere on the forum.
Search is not great, so poke around in the hops board for info.

I think around now is a good time to plant.
Don't expect much in the first year.
The grow up, and up, and up.

Consider the climate and the hops that are available and suited to the climate.
Lads should give you cuttings if you cover postage etc.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Tom on January 16, 2019, 12:46:25 PM
They'll all grow, but they all need reasonable shelter. Not one of them is resistant to those late August gales.

Fuggles in the ground worked well for me.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Taf on January 16, 2019, 02:31:21 PM
Fuggles also does well for me compared to other varieties I tried. Good crop last year, although I didn't use it.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: krockett on January 16, 2019, 09:15:07 PM
Cascade turns out worst quality for me; I wouldnt bother with that. Its late and doesnt get good qualities here.

Centennial is beautiful - finishes early and stinks in a good way. Chinook is ok.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: CH on January 16, 2019, 09:38:24 PM
Think traditional English varieties, they need loads of Sunlight, are thirsty and lots of feeding.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Water_Wolf on January 17, 2019, 08:50:16 PM
I only started last year, but both the Centennial and the Prima Donna / First Gold grew well in pots in Dublin. If you don't have a lot of vertical space, then First Gold is handy.

I only received and planted them at the end of April. I think when you plant depends on what kind of cutting you have - if you have a good root rhyzome then you can plant it any time during winter. I ordered from Willingham Nurseries and got what I assume was a rooted bine cutting with a small leafy shoot on it. I think you're better off potting these up and keeping them indoors until they grow a bit, as they're quite delicate.

Definitely the main drawback of growing hops in Ireland is our gusty winds! More shelter the better!
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Shanna on January 19, 2019, 12:04:34 AM
Had great results with EKG and tettnang, poor results with fuggles. The tettnang I grew near an compost heap produced cones in the first year all others in the 2nd year. Green fly are a challenge as they attack and can kill the tip of the bines. One has to be prepared to check the plants every day and spray for them.

Had to dig up the tettnang eventually as the roots had started to move in to the garden. Am in South Dublin about 3km from the coast.

Shanna
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on March 19, 2019, 07:46:59 PM
New to growing hops but want to give it a go this year and am on the hunt for some rhizones. My main concern is what everyone says about shelter from the wind as we had planned to plant some on one side of a field with shelter only on 1 side. Any expert advice would be welcome
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Tom on March 19, 2019, 10:00:35 PM
If the shelter is on the west side of the field you stand a better chance of a crop than if it's on any of the other sides. Failing that, make shelter. :)

Mine are in a wind tunnel and hate me.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on March 22, 2019, 09:06:17 AM
Thanks for that Tom. Will check that out later. I think it is the west side. Not much option of making a shelter but will see how they go. Cheers
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on March 29, 2019, 08:38:29 PM
Looks like where I plan to plant on the south west side of the field so should be ok.  Struggling to find hops and wondered if any members here had any cuttings going spare? Thanks guys  :)
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Fatcontro11er on March 30, 2019, 08:05:51 AM
Where are you Brendan?
I have loads of hop plants but they are all growing at the moment!of 4/5 varieties
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on March 30, 2019, 01:22:27 PM
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm in Listowel in Kerry.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Fatcontro11er on March 30, 2019, 05:26:51 PM
It's probably a long shot but if you know someone who is travel between Derry and Kerry?
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on March 30, 2019, 05:36:06 PM
Yeah that would be a very long shot! Only thing I could suggest is to post some cuttings but don't wanna put you to any trouble mate.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Fatcontro11er on March 30, 2019, 10:04:46 PM
Plant Cuttings, although no trouble at all! need to go straight into water if they are to be viable and grow roots,the plants I have potted are year old up to 4  years old In Grain bags!!!! The best way other than picking them up In-situ awould be yo take rhizomes when the plant is dormant and post them down, Oct/-feb.im happy to do that if you give me a shout nearer the time!?
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on March 31, 2019, 06:32:44 AM
Gotcha thanks so much! Yeah will definitely get in contact with you later this year.  Cheers
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Fatcontro11er on March 31, 2019, 12:05:07 PM
?
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Will_D on April 06, 2019, 07:27:28 PM
Most traditional English and middle European varieties will grow well in .ie land

One concern is wind burn - they don't like wind.
They are greedy feeders and like a bit of tlc when it comes to feed and water.

Exotics from the warmer parts of the world may not like our climate
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Fatcontro11er on April 07, 2019, 12:08:53 AM
Any sort of shelter works wonders!
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: BrendanH on May 22, 2019, 09:27:12 PM
Was just wondering now I have a few hops in the ground.  What can you use as feed?   As you said above they are thirsty brutes and wanted to look at giving them a boost.

Incidentally, I actually have a spare Saaz plant going which was donated to me by a kind soul on this forum, am in Kerry if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: What Hop Varieties Grow well In Ireland??
Post by: Water_Wolf on May 22, 2019, 11:54:47 PM
I just use tomato feed.