Looking for hop rhizomes!

[Matt]

Looking for hop rhizomes!

I know that planting season is a long ways off yet, but I am thinking that it would be really great to plant some hops in a little spot of ground I've actually got this year.

A while back, Nate had hooked me up with some Cascade rhizomes, and I'd definitely like to try it again now that I've got some honest to god GROUND to work with and a nice way to trellise them.

So I'm asking... does anyone else grow their own hops? I know it's been discussed before, and I'd love to arrange for some rhizomes of various types between now and Spring. I'm told that Cascade and Kent Goldings grow pretty well here, but I'd be willing to try pretty much any variety that has a good chance in Kansas.

I'd be willing to trade for them -- this is the swapmeet section afterall -- or you could just come over and drink some homebrew while I plant them, etc.

Any advice on hop growing is also welcome and encouraged. I realize that I'm not going to yield a lot by doing this, probaby not more than a few ounces after drying. It's more for the enjoyment of having growing things around me (and having that wonderful scent handy), and also to make my back "porch" (alleyway) look a little less trashy.

Matt

[philip]

I had cascades at my old house. They grew like crazy. I too would like to get some rhizomes. Maybe some of the noble hop variety. Fuggle, hallertauer, etc.

[Matt]

After seeing the way the Nugget are growing at John's, I definitely want to try some Nugget also. Unfortunately, his are first-year plants (which makes it all the more amazing how much they're producing), so they won't likely have enough rhizome growth for trimming and sharing. (Thanks anyway, John.)

But if anyone else would consider sharing rhizomes, I would love to take you up on it and find something to trade. I've got some garlic bulbs that are ready to sprout, if anyone is interested in trading for them -- or anything else.

Matt

[barry]

after years of growing a variety hops with little to no harvest,
my hops decided to die this past summer.

they started out well in the spring, as they always do (did),
but at some point after a june pruning, wilted and died.
since i never got jack from them, i cant say they will be missed.

[barry]

for all those who were weeping over my deceased hop plants,
dry your tears. they are back.
i noticed a few 1-inch high buds coming back today.

so for those who think you want to give hop-growing a try,
know that no matter how bad a gardener you are, they
are tough plants and take a lot of abuse.
also know they can be very invasive, so be careful
where you plant them.

[Snowman]

I could be wrong but aren't the cuttings taken in the spring and not the fall? Maybe it's best to do it in the fall and let them set in over the winter? I might have a source for cascades? I'll check.

[barry]

its best to plant in the spring - march is ideal for around here.
chances are the rhizomes would just rot
without having had time to establish itself.

[Snowman]

That's kinda what I was thinking...I plan to see if I can get a few Cascades shoots going in the spring. If I get the same chance as last year I might have a couple dozen available...I'll be sure to share if they are available.

[Piscator]

I planted some Cascades in my yard last year. While they've never taken off the way I expected them to, they will be prime for harvesting rhizomes from in the spring (3rd year). Anyone that wants a few starts can let me know and I'd be happy to bring them to a meeting.

[Matt]

I'd love to give them a shot. Thanks for offering, Jarrell & Piscator. I'd like three rhizomes of each variety you have available (if I can get that many from you). I've got some crazy notions about what I'd like to do with them. Of course, they wouldn't be crazy notions at all if I didn't live downtown where "garden-space" is ahem, limited.

Wonder what my neighbors will think.

Matt

[cog_nate]

Matt, the Cascades are still going strong. Once the bines are up again in the spring, I'll get a cutting or two for you.

[wlockwood]

I would like to grow hops.
Anyone who has roots available I would like some.

[billvelek]

I would like to grow hops.
Anyone who has roots available I would like some.

Unfortunately, now that I've come upon this message, it's too late to provide you with any rhizomes for '08, so I hope you found a source. But for purposes of helping anyone who reads this thread in the future, our 'Grow-Hops' group has a FREE rhizome distribution program (I donated 52 this year and I believe we gave away several hundred in all, but someone else handles that for me), ... and we also have a list of over 20 commercial sources within just the U.S. (neither I nor my group has any interest in them). Our group has over 2,000 hop growers where we discuss all related issues such as trellises, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease control, hop storage, etc. We also have Wiki, a whole-hops exchange, and more. My 'Grow-Hops' portal -- http://home.alltel.net/billvelek/growhops.html -- explains the different features in our 'Yahoo' and '.com' groups.

Cheers.

Bill Velek

[Matt]

Bill --

GREAT first post! Welcome to our little forum.

Matt