National Homebrew Club Ireland

 Love pottering about the garden , love beer,  so I decided to give hops a bash this year.

Ordered a few of  these plants
http://www.eickelmann.de/Hopfen-Shop/aromatic-hops/-Hallertauer-Aroma--27.html
http://www.eickelmann.de/Hopfen-Shop/bitter-hops/HM.html

And built this today. 
(http://s29.postimg.org/b73y3rik7/hops_trel.jpg)

Lots of fish blood and bone, a couple of bags of B&Q compost and slow release fertilizer .  I think 3 plants will fit in there lovely. 

Maybe a bit early to plant seedlings with frosty morns . 

Any advise welcome.

Fantastic link.   

It has me worried though.   The lattice is facing south west not the recommended south east.   No direct sunlight till mid day or until it peers over the fence which is 5' tall.     

 So a box came this morning.  Was not expecting the hops to come so fast.     Well packed box with 3 plants inside.. 

All 3 seem established somewhat and have growing purple shoots coming out everywhere.    I even got a few free small black spiders from Germany in there.  :o

(http://s13.postimg.org/6r23jw4k7/hops1.jpg)

So this is what you get for 23 euro.   Via paypal.    Quite happy so far. 
(http://s21.postimg.org/yrj6zh3tz/hops2.jpg) 

  Instructions say to plant them 4cm deep.  Im not sure about the frost just yet.   Should I grow indoors for a while and harden them off to the cold later?    Before planting out.       

Yes, bring them on indoors for say another month then should be good outside. If frost threatens in April then cover with some fleece or the like.

I went ahead and planted 2 of them out .  Two weeks ago.        Mini polytunnel from B&Q for a tenner is keeping them safe.   

Cant help it.  Terrible impatient..   ???

  Planted about 4" deep . Should keep the tube safe from frost.     

Starting to poke through the soil now and first shoot pinched out. 


(http://s27.postimg.org/ueabd7zrn/hops3.jpg)

Kept one indoors at night  and moved up a pot size.   It is thriving and coming on fast.

(http://s7.postimg.org/gkk4ifycb/hops4.jpg)

I just ordered 3 plants after seeing this thread.  :)

Everything planted out now.  Thriving in this weather . 

(http://s13.postimg.org/4j8q90cvb/hops5.jpg)
(http://s23.postimg.org/nmr5kx9t7/hops6.jpg)

I live in a bungalow and the south faceing gable is too windy for them so don't have anything high to attach them to. There is however an ESB pole out the backwith a big stay cable running down to the ground at a nice angle. The cable goes up to the top of the poll so theres plenty of height to it. Not sure would the hops grab onto the thick twisted wire cable or for that matter how the ESB would feel about it. But it is very private back there and a sunny and sheltered spot?

Although i'm a keen gardener ,  this is my first bash at hops.   

So take my advice with a pinch of salt.. 

You could try this sort of thing under the steel rope.
    B&Q sell rolls of biodegradable garden twine for a few euro.    I have staked a cane deep into the ground and drill a couple of holes into it for an anchor point.   

I think it will be suitable for support .

(http://s3.postimg.org/jn5xys44z/hops7.jpg)

Quote from: ronanp on April 09, 2015, 12:39:10 PM
I live in a bungalow and the south faceing gable is too windy for them so don't have anything high to attach them to. There is however an ESB pole out the backwith a big stay cable running down to the ground at a nice angle. The cable goes up to the top of the poll so theres plenty of height to it. Not sure would the hops grab onto the thick twisted wire cable or for that matter how the ESB would feel about it. But it is very private back there and a sunny and sheltered spot?

I wouldn't recommend growing the hops towards the ESB cable - they cut any vegetation around the wires every couple of years.

They look good Motorbikeman. Look forward to seeing this thread progress. I ordered some Cascade plants from Willingham nurseries, but they send a warning email this week, saying they will not be able to fulfill all the orders placed due to propagation failures. Wont know if I get them until April 26th. Eickelman seem to be out of most varieties now as well. Did you find any other suppliers before you went with Eickelman?

Try The Secret Gardener down in Cork. They're more expensive but in fairness they're pure sound and helpful. I was trying to get stuff from Willingham and Eickelman but they were pretty much all sold out, of the stuff I wanted anyway. It might be worth giving them a buzz cos they actually had fuggles and goldings in stock but not on the website when I ordered

http://www.thesecretgardener.com/5723/general/hop-plants/

The Tettnanger plant seems to be growing twice as fast as the others.  Bushy deep green foliage .
http://www.brewerslair.com/index.php?p=brewhouse&d=hops&id=&v=&term=72



(http://s18.postimg.org/k6uq16zpl/tetnag.jpg)

My plants. 3 year old tats

(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/nigerford/beerstuff/8FC32920-F9F9-431F-B753-D0FEE71DBAE4_zpszeguwgcj.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/nigerford/media/beerstuff/8FC32920-F9F9-431F-B753-D0FEE71DBAE4_zpszeguwgcj.jpg.html)

I built this bed over the past couple of weeks and planted out yesterday, so typically it's now cold and very wet.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/edd7ebfaaa4d175e91730f5272ac5c3b.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/f33b7ba527cb939c0eae4e9bfb175192.jpg)

Been a while now ..  All plants are thriving in our environment.    The magnum hop plant seems to be the quickest up the lattice.  Its now reached the top and I have installed more twine for it to follow in a downward manor.   
The wind has done a little damage to the older leafs at the bottom, but it does not seem to be causing issue.   Plants have been sprayed with pesticide to keep the local aphids from laying and next on the list is slug pellets .   I am worried about caterpillars as they destroyed my veg from last year.   A keen eye will be kept.   

Although there is lots of time, I have started to wonder how I am going to dry and store my harvest.   I could buy stuff, but I like to get things done on a shoe string budget as it adds to the whole DIY aspect of beer making.   

Any suggestions welcomed.
(http://s27.postimg.org/ogi510xdf/20150602_130459.jpg)
(http://s15.postimg.org/lxn7l3uij/20150602_130514_1.jpg)
(http://s13.postimg.org/o6vg09z3b/20150602_130529.jpg)
(http://s30.postimg.org/ketsqhuv5/20150602_130554.jpg)

You can dry or freeze your harvest.
Freezing fresh cones is handier as long as you have plenty space in the freezer  :)

That may go to mush because of the amount of water in them. Dry them out a bit first them freeze them.

Must ask Brenmurph (as he freezes fresh hops) if he noticed any problems.
Freezing fresh was my plan for this year harvest, but will ask someone with experience first.
Never thought of that, thanks Nigel.

Quote from: alealex on June 02, 2015, 08:56:37 PM
Must ask Brenmurph (as he freezes fresh hops) if he noticed any problems.
Freezing fresh was my plan for this year harvest, but will ask someone with experience first.
Never thought of that, thanks Nigel.

I dried mine by laying them on black plastic in my attic and turning them every 6 hours or so for 3-4 days. I squashed the hops in to zip locked bags to compress them as much as possible. I then put the zip lock bags & vacuum packed them. I found as long as the vacuum pack stayed sealed the hops stored very well. However some of the vacuum bags  did not stayed sealed and these tended to get wet.

Shanna

I dried them last year using my fermentation fridge set to 40*C, then zip lock bags etc
This year however I just want to cut the hassle down to minimum by freezing fresh and yet use as much hops as possible straight from the bush to the BK.

I put mine on a few sheets of kitchen paper in the hot press then froze them

Quote from: nigel_c on June 02, 2015, 06:33:20 PM
That may go to mush because of the amount of water in them. Dry them out a bit first them freeze them.

True Nigel, however once out of the freezer they are dropped into boiling wort at 102 to 104 C.
If they are mushey will they or you notice the difference?

Some Analysis:
Ok so cell walls are broken down by freezing/thawing (Just ask a frozen Strawberry). Leaves and all the rest bar the humulin glands/whatever contain a lot of water.

We don't want the leaves and the rest to break down and impart grassiness flavours. The essential things are the oils and other complex biochemicals that should not be affected by freezing and thawing.

So I rekon that using frozen green (undried) hops would be like brewing with green hops but more prone to grassy notes!

Aside: Freeze freash hops in LN2 and Bob is your father's bro!

Get one of these from IKEA for €4.

http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/70115578/

Hang it somewhere with ventilation, preferably a dark room, as this will break down any chlorophyll present which may impart grassy like tastes.

I use these, they're a great job.

(http://i.imgur.com/lLuhkewl.jpg)
3 year old Fuggle  O0

Quote from: Will_D on June 02, 2015, 10:25:36 PM

Quote from: nigel_c on June 02, 2015, 06:33:20 PM
That may go to mush because of the amount of water in them. Dry them out a bit first them freeze them.

True Nigel, however once out of the freezer they are dropped into boiling wort at 102 to 104 C.
If they are mushey will they or you notice the difference?

Some Analysis:
Ok so cell walls are broken down by freezing/thawing (Just ask a frozen Strawberry). Leaves and all the rest bar the humulin glands/whatever contain a lot of water.

We don't want the leaves and the rest to break down and impart grassiness flavours. The essential things are the oils and other complex biochemicals that should not be affected by freezing and thawing.

So I rekon that using frozen green (undried) hops would be like brewing with green hops but more prone to grassy notes!

Aside: Freeze freash hops in LN2 and Bob is your father's bro!

Not even going to speculate where you would get your hands on Liquid nitrogen :) If by some miracle you actually can access it I would be willing to give it a try some of my 2015 crop.

Shanna

Did a bit of gardening today and saved the rest of the plants from my random hop plant that I have. Before I started, everywhere in that pic was green :D Really must make a batch this year with them to see what it tastes like...

(http://i.imgur.com/gD6RG6wl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/gD6RG6w)

Quote from: molc on June 06, 2015, 02:54:14 PM
Did a bit of gardening today and saved the rest of the plants from my random hop plant that I have. Before I started, everywhere in that pic was green :D Really must make a batch this year with them to see what it tastes like...

(http://i.imgur.com/gD6RG6wl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/gD6RG6w)

Get some carriage bolts in the wall and run some strings between them to give the hops more space to run on.

Shanna

Yeah right now it's more of a weed in the back garden that I occasionally maintain. In the autumn I'm going to dig it up and break down the rhimzone to get a bit of control over it, then string it up the following spring properly.

(http://s12.postimg.org/60oe0u2gd/P1010258.jpg)
(http://s9.postimg.org/4e0shsn9r/P1010259.jpg)
(http://s27.postimg.org/64hc7qqz7/P1010260.jpg)
(http://s16.postimg.org/a8kk1lhwl/P1010261.jpg)

Nearing completion .    Any cheap ideas on how to dry them after harvest.  Was thinking 50 degree for a day in a fan assisted oven..

(http://s21.postimg.org/hrcdv3zvb/P1010513.jpg)
(http://s21.postimg.org/6dpujwpcn/P1010514.jpg)
(http://s21.postimg.org/meifwvn87/P1010515.jpg)

Brown paper bag in hot press I gather works well
They look lovely

I put mine on kitchen roll in the hot press 

I plan on just my lot fresh. Picked and into the boil on the same day.

Quote from: Motorbikeman on August 29, 2015, 07:33:06 PM
Nearing completion .    Any cheap ideas on how to dry them after harvest.  Was thinking 50 degree for a day in a fan assisted oven..

Get some black plastic and a roll of kitchen towel. In a warm room, lay half the plastic on the ground and lay a layer of kitchen towel on top. Place the hops on top of the kitchen towel and cover with another layer of kitchen towel. Lastly fold the other half of the plastic on top. This should genererate heat and keep the light from the hops. The kitchen towel should help absorb some of the moisture from the hops.

Shanna

We made our first attempt at growing hops this year. It has actually gone well, and we have loads of cones! I'm so excited!

Only thing is, I'm not quite sure how to know when to start picking them.

(https://trucraft.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc_0248.jpg?w=1000&h=)
(https://trucraft.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc_0252.jpg?w=1000&h=)
(https://trucraft.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc_0251.jpg?w=1000&h=)

I should have some portions to spare if anyone wants them.

  I have reverted from all grain to kits this last year due to another baby soaking up every spare moment and only need enough for hop tea.

Stay tuned ..   ;)

Get in before the first frost.
Winter is coming!

Seen this.    Not sure I want to blow 30 yoyos on it though.  Would be only used once. 

http://www.lidl.ie/en/Offers.htm?action=showDetail&id=29364

DO NOT GET THIS. doesn't work.

I can recommend this one, twice the price with delivery but it works!  :D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001HBP7HW?keywords=food%20sealer&qid=1441211355&ref_=sr_1_2&s=kitchen&sr=1-2

I've had mine for over 4 years, no problems, great bit of kit.

The Andrew James on is the one I have and it does a great job.

Quote from: NeillC on September 02, 2015, 05:38:18 PM
The Andrew James on is the one I have and it does a great job.

Same here. Cant recommend it enough.

I bought some plants (stupidly as it's not the season for planting). Should I keep em indoors over the winter?

FYI - I've been doing a little research, and apparently the most reliable way to tell when to pick them is to do a Loss on Drying test.
More details here: http://immaculatebrewery.com/the-hop-harvest/

Basically, if the moisture content of the hops is 20-23%, then you're good to go. I just tested a few by nuking them in the microwave, and we seem to be in around 20%.

Quote from: jackflash on September 02, 2015, 06:33:31 PM
I bought some plants (stupidly as it's not the season for planting). Should I keep em indoors over the winter?

Jack,
My advice would be to pop them into the soil in a nice sheletered place.

If you have them indoors there is a risk of drying out/neglect.

If they are growing well in their pots (which they sould be) you can pot them up a size and then sink the pots in the garden.

They will be fine then for the spring planting out

Put a blanket of Hoseshit over them too if you can get it.

thanks guys. I had them watered and in the utility room. The leaves were starting to feel a bit 'crispy' alright, so I put them outside. Going to re-plant in bigger pots today. I was going to use a mix of top-soil and regular compost. Is there any fertelisers/nutrients I should use?

Put plenty of mulch or straw over them to protect them against frost .   Small pots get very exposed to freezing temps.  The ground is safer.

Im not 100% sure but I think these are very nearly there.  I recon they need to wilt a little before picking.  I have read about the flick test.  If they come off the stem with a flick, it means they are ready.    They smell nice but still a little grassy.

   I have thousands of them.  More than I will ever need.   

(http://s15.postimg.org/8b68iejvf/P1010725.jpg)

(http://s4.postimg.org/i7gfyu0el/P1010723.jpg)

I've been picking a few here and there, and I have to say I think NOW is the time. I picked a bunch yesterday that were really pungent and actually smelled like hops (not green grass). I've put them in kraft paper bags to dry out a little, but we will probably use them pretty quickly. Can't wait!

Lads I have more hops than I need or want to dry.   

Let me know if you want to come to Sallins and take some.     


0872982664. 

Would hate to dump them..     

I have a few bucket loads

Quote from: Motorbikeman on September 22, 2015, 07:00:02 PM
Lads I have more hops than I need or want to dry.   

Let me know if you want to come to Sallins and take some.     


0872982664. 

Would hate to dump them..     

I have a few bucket loads

Defo! I'll take some. And I'll return the favour next year!!

no problem. 

Might just leave them one more week though.  I dried a pot full today in a warm room.   Room smells a bit grassy yet.
  I think more time on the plant might make them better.

Keep your eyes on the thread. 


One of the plants smell really citrusy .  Awsome..   Cant wait to use them in my next kit. 

Hard to be sure if they're ready isnt it..

I took mine down today.

(http://s18.postimg.org/4v0z99vgp/IMG_5506.jpg)

Hey motorbikeman - hate to jump on the bandwagon, but I'll be home (Ballymore Eustace) next weekend to press cider and will be passing through Sallins. If you still have some going to waste, I'd love to get my hands on some.

Thanks,
Liam.

Picked about 400g of Challenger yesterday. Identifiable by the red bines.
Fuggles and EKG are going th be mixed up as I can't unravel them. I reckon there's about 2kg in it...(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/27/47a166ea6950f0944354ad2ed8b6444e.jpg)

Lads keep an eye out for Aphids in the cones.

Quote from: Mac on September 27, 2015, 12:23:49 PM
Lads keep an eye out for Aphids in the cones.

How do you get rid of them?

According to other forums if you dry them they'll leave themselves and there are always some insects in commercial hops. Some of the cones are unusable though - they've spread through a good portion of mine. They become filthy.
I hadnt realised I had them when I put 300 grammes in as a FWH and hop stand. Dont think a few of them matters as much in the kettle.

Edit:
I just manually checked a couple of hundred grammes, rinsed them in star san, broke them up to check them inside and threw them in the fermenter to dry hop them. Will repeat with the last of the hops in a few days.

Quote from: nigel_c on September 02, 2015, 05:47:49 PM

Quote from: NeillC on September 02, 2015, 05:38:18 PM
The Andrew James on is the one I have and it does a great job.

Same here. Cant recommend it enough.

Just ordered one there for myself, thanks for the recommendation. It was about €15 cheaper on ebay too btw
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Andrew-James-Black-Vacuum-Sealer-Bag-Packing-Machine-Food-Saver-Kitchen-Storage-/281612968323?hash=item419170e183
And in sensual black... :-*

When ye're bagging your hops is it best to make up a load of half ounce bags? Would this be handiest for brewday? Or would you go a bit bigger?

Quote from: Motorbikeman on September 23, 2015, 11:11:21 PM
no problem. 

Might just leave them one more week though.  I dried a pot full today in a warm room.   Room smells a bit grassy yet.
  I think more time on the plant might make them better.

Keep your eyes on the thread. 


One of the plants smell really citrusy .  Awsome..   Cant wait to use them in my next kit.

Still got em? Could I pop by on the way home?

Helping out in somebody else's hop garden yesterday (lovely weather for it)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/08/171ae5f7b7e52226bcee6019bec4e0bf.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/08/b804239f2a1911fc7051a63d142d2de9.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/08/982aa8330e0102043dc64b8b8b43bec6.jpg)

Beautiful...what variety?

First shoots this year.
How are your hops so far?

Very Wet Ground?

Well spoted CH, gave it a shower to tidy up sticks and leaves before taking picture.

Don't think golden  shower counts Ax  8)

im guessing now is a good time to plant hops.

Mine just beginning to shoot too. Although I only got the cascade rhizome last summer from PatButtercups (cheers Pat!) so there is only two shoots at the moment. I presume they double, or more, every year?

What type of Hop is that Radek?

@BB thanks to that golden shower every few weeks they're beginning to shoot early  :P
@Johnnycheech this is magnum but I also have few other types.

I have hop crowns in Midleton looking for a good home.
Challenger, EKG, and Fuggles.

Quote from: johnrm on February 28, 2016, 07:59:51 AM
I have hop crowns in Midleton looking for a good home.
Challenger, EKG, and Fuggles.

I could definitely supply a home, but it's in Dublin unfortunately.

Quote from: johnrm on February 28, 2016, 07:59:51 AM
I have hop crowns in Midleton looking for a good home.
Challenger, EKG, and Fuggles.

Will you post by parcel motel?  (Paid of course.) 

Forgot about this thread. 

Sorry for not getting back for info on collection.    Was sick lookin at them .  feckin thing were everywhere.  They are tricky enough to harvest when not on a proper string and pole set ups.   They intertwine like a thicket.           

I would cover those shoots up with grass clippings, soil or well rotted manure.   Until the frosty weather starts to  subside.
  They wont grow much till the soil temperature goes up a bit anyway.   May as well keep them safe.

 

Quote from: Motorbikeman on February 28, 2016, 10:22:05 PM
         

I would cover those shoots up with grass clippings, soil or well rotted manure.   Until the frosty weather starts to  subside.
  They wont grow much till the soil temperature goes up a bit anyway.   May as well keep them safe.

+1     ive a few shoots showing aswell but im gonna cover them with staw and manure tomorrow. Cant trust the weather just yet.

Johnycheech and cruiscinlan, I might be able to get Mrs drum to bring some plants to dublin if ye dont sort something with John before that. She drives up there for work every few weeks.

I should have some 'Buttercup Cascade' cuttings to pass on shortly aswell. Thanks to Pat Buttercups efforts in cloning and distributing plants last year. It's only fair that I pass some on to the rest of the club.

http://www.brewunited.com/index.php?blogid=110

Best bet might be to wait till they grow 8 inches and take a shoot cutting.

As you will normally cut the shoots off anyway, it seems to me the best way to share. 

I had great hops last year.  Very healthy , but this year I will be looking into some organic pesticides to keep the aphids at bay.   

Quote from: Motorbikeman on February 29, 2016, 01:47:15 AM

this year I will be looking into some organic pesticides to keep the aphids at bay.   

Pyrethrins should do the trick.

Quote from: Drum on February 29, 2016, 01:25:00 AM
Johnycheech and cruiscinlan, I might be able to get Mrs drum to bring some plants to dublin if ye dont sort something with John before that. She drives up there for work every few weeks.

Sweet! Cheers for the offer, I'd definitely be up for that.

Hi folks,

Hop growing event on at the Bridgefoot street Community garden details in the thread in the Events section.

www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,15338.0.html

Quote from: Drum on February 29, 2016, 01:25:00 AM

Johnycheech and cruiscinlan, I might be able to get Mrs drum to bring some plants to dublin if ye dont sort something with John before that. She drives up there for work every few weeks.

I should have some 'Buttercup Cascade' cuttings to pass on shortly aswell. Thanks to Pat Buttercups efforts in cloning and distributing plants last year. It's only fair that I pass some on to the rest of the club.

That's be great! Thanks a million for the offer.

Awesome thread guys.  Thanks for sharing all your hop garden pics and info.  I started a hop garden here in the north but the area I chose was overly exposed and they got blown out.  Those that didn't ended up with rot.  So I was fairly devastated.  I've since moved to a more sheltered area so hopefully I can make a comeback early next year!  It's encouraging to see that you actually can enjoy the fruits of your labor growing them here.  Though up north may be a bit too far north?

Midleton hops gone to Blarney

Quote from: Paddy on April 01, 2016, 05:17:28 PM
Awesome thread guys.  Thanks for sharing all your hop garden pics and info.  I started a hop garden here in the north but the area I chose was overly exposed and they got blown out.  Those that didn't ended up with rot.  So I was fairly devastated.  I've since moved to a more sheltered area so hopefully I can make a comeback early next year!  It's encouraging to see that you actually can enjoy the fruits of your labor growing them here.  Though up north may be a bit too far north?

Ah they're a hardy plant Paddy, hopefully you'll get a good enough batch going. The yield might not be huge and you might not hit the alpha percentages that the English/Americans/Germans etc get but you're not a commercial brewer and once you get enough for a few brews sure that's plenty!  ;)

once  they get going, you will have enough  for 20 brews.  per plant.   most of mine got ploughed back into the soil . 

The Start of Year 2

Shoots are flying up now.  Severe frost threat is over us now I think so its time to work on this years plants.
(http://s29.postimg.org/quhbgdbzb/20160405_123246.jpg)

Same plant trimmed down with the healthy shoots preserved.   This year I will be cutting away all but three stocks  for a more controlled grow..  I also plan to extend my trellis another four foot.
(http://s23.postimg.org/gyplucywb/20160405_134913.jpg)

I also did a bit of digging to remove stray rhizomes as I dont want the plants growing like weeds.   I dug a few out and cut them into 2" bits and replanted.   Not sure if they will grow. Time will tell.
(http://s24.postimg.org/dtwdso83p/20160405_134935.jpg)

I have used last years Magnum hops for early boil additions in my latest brew.  Its in the fermenter fridge now.   And used the Tettnager to dry hop a couple of kits last year.  Turned out very well indeed.    All my hops harvested last year were very healthy  ,  only problem I did have was aphids which I need to research better for this year. 
2nd year harvest should be a bumper crop as the root system is now mature.   

I have yet to attend to my Hallertauer-Aroma plant.  This turned out to be a real beauty in the garden and the smelled of lemons and oranges when the flowers bloomed. 
I see the hop shop is well stocked right now.  It was slim picking this time last year. http://www.eickelmann.de/Hopfen-Shop/index.php

Hey Motorbikeman, I'm in Naas so if you're ever looking to offload some of those hops let me know.

There'll be a few bottles of beer in it for you ;)

no bother.   You can have a few plants if ya want. If they grow

Thanks for the offer but we've got plastic flowers in our garden and even they are dead!

Got a Hop Plant as a present in Jan. planted it and was told to remove the first two shoots when they come up problem 13 shoots have come up and are growing like mad, Do I just let them all grow.

I did let them all grow last year, but the problem was it turned into a tangle mess . 

Cut away most and leave 5 or 6 of the best.  And as time goes by cut to 3 or 4 of the strongest. When the get about 10" tall. Start training them onto one vine string.   

Be very careful not to damage the vine as as they are very delicate at a young age. , especially the tip.  If the tip breaks, its the end of that vine.

The more that get cut away the better for growth as the plants energy will not be spent growing out the ways.

After cutting mine, they have doubled in height after 10 days and are now being trained onto string. 
(http://s30.postimg.org/j91kgsjtt/20160413_185125.jpg)

My three Northern Brewers are taking a little bit longer to come up this year but doing well all the same.

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I have to transplant my opal and target this weekend as they are 6 - 8 inches long now.

Mine are flying now.      In 10 days they have doubled in size.   Pruning early really does work well.  Look how healthy and thick the stocks are.

Now around 4 ft.
(http://s31.postimg.org/xqkc96ni3/20160425_132527.jpg)

Over 10 feet tall today.   Im running out of cane to creep up
(http://s32.postimg.org/tgz2z48p1/P1020376.jpg)

Looking lovely in the sun keep feeding and watering!

They are getting a bit out of control at this point.   

I had a 12 foot stake for them to climb.  When they reached the top, they dropped half way and made it back to the top. 

These things would grow 25 feet high no problem.     ( note the big dead patch on the grass after dumping 45L of oxy cleaner on it)


(http://s25.postimg.org/axxevswsv/P1020433.jpg)

I've serious hop growers envy!
If fed and watered properly in the heat we had they can do easily up to the full apex of a roof and looks like you have them in a sun trap there too, can you train them horizontal now or to the roof?, and eye hook on a rope so that you can lower them down at the end of the season would save you a lot of hassle
Your neighbours must be impressed I can imagine the conversation "what the fucks he growing, I don't know go round and ask him, no you go round, looks like weed, it's cutting out all the light..."

I'd keep feeding and watering them they have another 3 months to go

I prepped the soil last winter by digging in a couple of bales of horse manure mixed with slow release fertilizer pellets. 

The problem is now,  I have nowhere else to let them grow into.

Im not too worried as I know I will have more hops than I can ever use from these plants. Even if they break. 

    Last years growth did not equal this and I have loads in the freezer. 

Keeping them from growing into each other is difficult though.   

One does not want Magnum mixed into Tettnanger as they bitter much stronger.     

They look bloody amazing can you run them 90 degrees in different directions one towards the house the other towards to bottom of the garden?
They are greedy feckers and the horse shit and fertiliser clearly did a great job for ya.

I have mine going up like yours vertically, then up to string tied to the roof of my house - gives 'em about 25 foot in total. This was taken a couple of weeks ago - they're 12/15 foot tall now (tip of the wall here is 10 foot).

(http://s33.postimg.org/rw4115f2n/IMG_5168.jpg)

Am I too late to plant this fella out?
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160612/8bf9021fbfcc36ce4437371ea8328ce4.jpg)

no.  from what i understand, you want a good vegetation period before the hops flower. This maximises  your yield.  Get it out now and let it grow as much as you can.  It will produce hops.  just less.

Sound, any particular treatment needed for the soil?

By the looks of it you have a greenhouse and probably know this, But if it was me.   I would plant out in a south facing sheltered plot.

Transferring the the root gently into a hole with blood and bone meal at the bottom and surround with a nice fertile mix of top soil with old manure mixed in.   

I would add some type of mild nitrogen slow release pellet to promote green vegetative growth and when cone time arrives,  a quality all in one flower mix with neutral NPK .   

I would also stake it in its plot now as not to damage the root later. 

And cross my fingers. 

Sound, thanks, the greenhouse is my brother's, looking to move it to mine.

All 3 of my plants are effected by powdery mildue this year due to this weather.   I would urge any growers to keep a good check on their plants as it can spread on to hop cones later if left untreated.

Any sign of aphids yet? I have them al over the leaves on one of mine.

The plants seem sensitive to pyrethrins so I'll be trying soapy water - is supposed to work well.