I've had 8 or so hop pants ranging from 2 to 4 years in containers until this year. Finally got them in the ground this spring and they are growing well, but have yet to bud. Anyone else experience a drop in production after transplanting? Seems a bit late in the summer to not see any flowers.
I got two bines growing and one is about 10' tall now and I think it just start flowering. My other one is only like 3' tall (due to poor location at first, a tree blocked a lot of sun) and so I moved it to be a better spot and its growing quicker now. Mine were also planted a bit late, I got them from a brewery for free to grow for a community beer they will be doing (although I will be keeping a nice amount for myself to brew with). I am hoping I get some hop action soon, though.
Transplanting will cause the first year in the ground to be like, well, the first year in the ground. Mostly trying to put the roots down into the soil, get re-established, and will probably have minimal cones. Next year should be fine.
Agree with the sentiment about nothing more than a minimal crop should be expected this year; however ... there should still be burrs on bines in VA by this time of year. Over-fertilization ... especially with nitrogen ... can cause lush growth but poor flower production. Transplant shock could also be a factor especially if the rhizomes were planted well after the bines emerged.
There is always a acclimation/shock period when transplanting. My young vines are just starting to bud. This season has been very different for many crops!
If you get more rhizomes and wish to start them in pots before planting use large pots. I usually use 12 inch or larger to get as much root growth as possible. A few tablespoons of osmacote or some other time release fertilizer continually feeds the plant even after you transplanted. Even with that, I get a very small crop from the first years growth. The plants that went in this late spring are starting to burr while some of my other 3 4 or 5 year plants are forming flowers. My first year Columbus plants have no burrs yet.
I figured that was the case... Shouldn't be the fertilizer, same one I have used in years past, used it sparingly, and isn't nitrogen heavy. Looking forward to a large crop next year.
