2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Charlottechicken]

Further to my questioning Valkyrie on the 'what have you picked today' thread. Does anyone else grow hops? If so, why? For ornament or use?

 

How do you grow them, from seed or a cutting? Just thought it might make a different present for someone with a bit of land.

 

[Deb Dav]

We got one hop plant years ago but it became so invassive that it took over the botom end of the garden and killed off the shrubs.

[LottieR]

I think Doug bought his from these people http://www.aplus-hops.co.uk/index.php

They have also got some good info their website.

 

I think, but could be wrong, that it is a rhizome.

[Daphne]

We've got a golden hop which I think is an ornamental and a green hop which may be for brewing as it was planted alongside a vine for wine (not by us) although it currently scrambles up a tree and we don't use the hops. The ornamental is very attractive, but a proper thug and both have itchy leaves. If you have something needing covering I'd grow one but although they die down each winter in a season they probably put on 15 ft of growth each year.

[Valkyrie]

Yep, you only need a bit of root and it will take - I have loads!

[Lesley]

We grow hops although Carl hasn't had time to use any for brewing yet - he hasn't had time to make beer since we moved here. I've vac packed last years and this years hops.

 

We have strong pig netting attatched to 6' posts for it to grow up but you can use a large pot with a post in it and strings or wires attached to the top for the bines to grow up I think I was reading about growing them that way here.... http://www.jimsbeerkit.com/forum/index.php?sid=171265e9290f90f3c5e9840c1cc5584a .

 

We grow Prima Donna from - it is a dwarf hop ........but still grows to over 6'. I think its commercial/brewing name is First Gold. The plan is to get some beer on this weekend - ready for Christmas.

[Charlottechicken]

Thanks for the replies, food for thought there.

 

Maybe hops aren't a good choice as a gift for a non gardening gardener It sounds like they require a good level of maintenance to stop them taking over.

[Valkyrie]

I think you are wise there. It can be a pain. But on a brighter side you should see all the wildlife that feeds off it. The best ones are comma butterflies - their chrysalises look like they have silver blobs on. Really beautiful. Not to mention it attracts the beneficial insects such as the ladybirds (all sorts) and lacewings - of course that also means greenfly, but hopefully it's my sacrificial plant for them to suck away on rather than my other plants and veg - and it still goes bonkers so no damage noticeable by the pests.

[Daphne]

Thats interesting about the commas - we do have some in the garden, but I'd not associated them with the hops! I've been noticing the ladybirds too in the last 3 or 4 weeks - heaps more than earlier in the summer; they look so cheery don't they

[Valkyrie]

We have started getting a lot of the harlequin ladybirds around here now - don't really want them because they eat our own native pest busters, but when it comes to overload of blackfly on the beans, I turn a blind eye to them because I'm selfish.