Hops cultivation on the ground

To grow optimally, hops need a medium-textured soil with a draining bottom, this means that there must be no water stagnation in rainy seasons.

In the event that the soil is heavy, it is a good idea to incorporate a shovel of thinly split gravel for each plant into the digging.

The optimal soil pH must be between 5.5 and 7.5, therefore alkaline and too acidic soils are not suitable for cultivation, unless they are corrected. The organic substance must be incorporated or present in the soil in good quantity.

The preparation of the soil consists in a deep digging, with mechanical or manual means for at least 30cm depth. It is advisable to incorporate at the time of processing bovine / equine pelleted manure, and cornunghia, in the ratio of 2/3 macerated of both, well mixed with the earth for each plant.

The plant must be planted in a raised position with respect to the ground level, in such a way as to avoid water stagnation at the collar.

It is advisable to prepare a mulch not only to avoid the persistence of weeds, but also to protect the root from the sun. in fact, to consider that hops in nature often grows at the foot of other tree species, keeping the roots in the shade and the foliage in the sun. The materials can be varied, from hardwood chips to straw, as well as jute and coconut fiber. Synthetic fabrics can also work as long as they let the soil breathe.

To support the plant in its growth, it is advisable to fertilize with a slow-release granular organo-mineral fertilizer, with a high level of potassium and microelements, in mid-March, in mid-May, and immediately after harvest, with the indicated doses. from the manufacturer.

If you are unfamiliar with granular fertilizer, you are afraid of making a mistake or if the plants to be planted are few, it is advisable to use a liquid fertilizer for citrus fruits, which will be fine with respect to the needs of hops. In this case, fertilization must be carried out from the vegetative restart until the winter rest (April-end of October), with the doses indicated by the manufacturer on the package.

Since hops are a vigorous climber, it is necessary to have vertical supports, with a height greater than 3m. Sturdy wooden posts such as larch and chestnut, or concrete posts are often used. Metal can be a poorly suited material due to summer temperatures.

Hops is a plant that, in properly ventilated conditions, and with adequate fertilizations, is resistant or responds well to attacks from fungal diseases, mites and insects.

The main diseases that can occur throughout the year are:

Downy mildew, powdery mildew, spider mites, aphids, moth larvae, bedbugs.

The fight against these diseases is often difficult due to the lack of specific pesticide products for hops and very strict legislation.

The availability and use of plant protection products is therefore the least easy choice to adopt.

For this reason, it is recommended to those wishing to undertake the path of biological control, the aid of:

Bacillus thuringiensis "Kurstaki", Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana for insects and mites;

Bacillus subtilis, cupric products, and sweet orange peel oil (PREV-AM), against fungal diseases.

All these products, when used in their commercial and calendar format, can play a fundamental role in the cultivation of the plant.

If at the time of purchase the plants are in rest it is not recommended to plant with frozen or too wet ground due to rain.

Potted plants can be stored outdoors up to -10 / 15 ° C as long as they are protected from rain, kept hydrated properly. For practicality, an MRHOPS hop must have a weight between 400 and 800gr. So an average of 500g of weight indicates that the plant is wet enough. Keeping our plants in the kitchen or living room is not recommended. So it is advisable to repair them outdoors even in the sun as is done for outdoor potted plants.

I recommend that you follow what you have read to the letter, and contact us for any questions! Your good result is our satisfaction!