How's everyones hops plants doing so far?

[nigel_c]

Thats the plan 

[brenmurph]

flying.....anyone got a gazillion ladybirds in their garden??   shud help keep greenfly, blackfly, whitefly and other fly at bay

[LordEoin]

yeah, i noticed more ladybirds than usual this year alright

[Will_D]

Last year was HUGH for Ladybirds*. Looks like this year will be even HUGHER

*Ladybirds: The first recorded beetle species that hired Saachi & Saachi as there PR agents

The book deal was then a given

[Dodge]

Mine are doing fine and there are a few ladybirds around. Last year green fly played havoc with mine.

[LordEoin]

I heard that the black spots on a ladybird grow darker and more numerous by consuming the souls entire families of greenfly.
True fact!

[brenmurph]

do we exterminate the ones with few spots then

[LordEoin]

no, just flick them a little to stir up their inner rage and soulhunger

[brenmurph]

or gather them in a jar, starve them for a week and throw in some greenfly...that may change their placid predator status to one more agressive and beneficial to our hop plants!

[LordEoin]

like rats in a metal bucket!

[CARA]

Goldings plant year 2 (got this one from Tube) is now a good 12ft and healthy
Prima Donna year 1 grown from a rhyzome (sp?) Are extremely healthy and at 6ft of an expected 9ft max height.

[CARA]

Goldings

[CARA]

Prima Donna

[brenmurph]

ur feeding dem well declan  improved since last I saw them

mine are bout 30 to 40 feet and starting to go sideways

[CARA]

Wow! Awesome, look forward to seeing them again in a few weeks.

Yeah gave them all a dose of pot-ash the other day, can nearly watch the difference!!