BBC Celebrates Earth Day with Hop Rhizome Giveaway!

Background Info

Hop rhizomes are small roots that are cut from the main root system of a mature female hop plant. In the springtime, after the rhizomes are planted, the bines – or hop vines – begin to grow.  Most bines grow approximately 2 feet per week.  The bines grow vertically winding around their support system in a clockwise direction following the sun.  In June, as the plant reaches maximum height (usually 15-25 feet), it will begin to grow side-arms.  The side-arms will then flower and also bear hop cones.  For flowering to occur, the weather must be frost-free for about 120 days, and the plant must have ample moisture and plenty of long length sunlight.

Getting Started

Keep your rhizome in a plastic bag and refrigerated until planting it.

Create an area free of weeds and close to a support system, like a fence or pole.  Plant the rhizome vertical with the buds pointing upwards.  Cover the rhizome with about 1” of soil. If you plant in a pot, use a 55-gallon barrel.

Water plants frequently.  After heavily watering plants, let water soak in before watering again.  Do not to overwater – this is one of the most common problems when growing new hops.

When you plant reaches 1 foot, begin training the vines on some kind of course cord (like twine).  Begin training with 2-3 vines, leaving the others left down.

Mid-Season

As daylight hours decrease in late June, your plant will begin shooting side-arms and flowering.  Continue weeding near the base of the plant.

Harvest Time

As the hop cones grow bigger, keep a close eye to their color and texture.  At harvest time, your hops should be light green in color and should feel light and dry.  The “lupulin”, or the yellow powder in the center of the cone, should make your hands feel sticky.

Cut the training string at the top and let the bines lay down on the ground.  Pick off hop cones and prepare to dry them.
Cut the lower bines about 2 feet from the ground and leave the bottom growth that occurs afterward to help with reinforcing the plant for next year.

Drying

You can dry your hops one of 2 ways:

• Place them in a food dehydrator for several hours
• Set them on a screen outside but out of direct sunlight

When dry, your hops should feel papery. When you pull open the cone, the petals should break off easily from the stem.
Once your hops are dried, you can put them to use or place them into a plastic bag for use at a later time.  For longer term storage keep frozen but wrap well so that they don’t pick up unpleasant odors.