by Chris R.W.

Created on: March 15, 2010

Hops grow from root cuttings known as rhizomes. The plant is unique in that it's male and female plants are very different, and you'll probably only want female hops, which produce Hop cones.  Usually when buying hops from a commercial seller, you will get only female rhizomes, which is good because you do not want to fertilize any of your hops.

Hops are tall climbing vines, so you'll want to plan out their growth before you plant them. Typically hops grow to at least fifteen feet, so allow for at least that much room, and provide the hops a trellis or other apparatus to allow it to climb up it as it grows.  You'll want to space hops out as much as possible too, because they can spread out very far on the sides and can intertwine. 

A lot of sun is ideal for hops, so be sure that they have enough access to sunlight where they are growing, and will have enough in the future as they grow. As they grow, the vines climb up whatever you have placed before them, so you may what to tie the vines down at intervals along its growth.  This insures that the vines will stay attached and in place where you want them, and will continue to grow upwards as you have planned instead of some other way.  Light tying is all thats necessary to control the growth, and heavy tines may damper future growth, so avoid doing that. 

Hops like soil that is fairly light and well-drained. So constructing small hills is common with growing hops because it helps to regulate the soils drainage. When planting, you should pack the soil around the rhizome, and keep the starting shoot pointing up in the direction you want it to grow, but bury it underneath and inch or two of soil during planting.  Regular watering is important, because the roots can be fragile and may dry out if they do not get enough water.  As long as you water frequently and you have managed it so your soil has decent drainage, you shouldn't have any problems.

Hops are perennial, so although they do die off by winter, they do grow back the next year, without any replanting on your part.  But it's important to take the same steps as you did at the beginning when you were planting them yourself.  Make sure to plan out the growth, because they will still need a lot of space to grow.  The existing plants will probably send up more new shoots than you want, so do not be afraid to pick and choose which ones you want to keep based on space available.

Hops like soil that is fairly light and well-drained. So constructing small hills is common with growing hops because it helps to regulate the soils drainage. When planting, you should pack the soil around the rhizome, and keep the starting shoot pointing up in the direction you want it to grow, but bury it underneath and inch or two of soil during planting.  Regular watering is important, because the roots can be fragile and may dry out if they do not get enough water.  As long as you water frequently and you have managed it so your soil has decent drainage, you shouldn't have any problems.

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