New Brunswick Craft Brewers Association

Brewing => Hops => Topic started by: shazapple on July 23, 2020, 08:44:44 AM

Title: Hops water setup
Post by: shazapple on July 23, 2020, 08:44:44 AM
I finally have my hops watering rig all setup!

My property has a good slope and a spring well up the hill. I bought a 1000L IBC tote to catch the runoff and the elevation difference gives enough head to run a sprinkler and soaker hoses. It's pretty much automated as well with a battery powered hose shutoff that will allow things to run for two hours each morning.

The hops are coming along good as well. The cascade rhizomes I got from Roger are on the left and have hit the top and have some pretty long arms on them as well (I suspect they get the majority of the water). Centennial and one hersbrucker is on the right.
Title: Re: Hops water setup
Post by: mikegraham on July 23, 2020, 07:42:20 PM
Nice set up
Title: Re: Hops water setup
Post by: ECH on July 26, 2020, 03:09:59 PM
Mine haven't grown nearly as high as past years. Thinking I didn't prune off enough in the spring. Big and bushy, not long an lean.
Title: Re: Hops water setup
Post by: shazapple on July 27, 2020, 07:13:28 AM
Mine haven't grown nearly as high as past years. Thinking I didn't prune off enough in the spring. Big and bushy, not long an lean.
I usually cut off all the first growth, then select 3 of the strongest bines to train. I've been a bit lazy this year and haven't cleaned up the bottoms again.
Title: Re: Hops water setup
Post by: pliny on July 30, 2020, 09:48:58 AM
wow, great work!
Title: Re: Hops water setup
Post by: Roger on July 31, 2020, 02:01:34 AM
Looking good man!
I always prune the first young sprouts up to about 6" tall. They taste great sauteed with some butter, salt and pepper...
My hops are starting to bloom some now. They reached the roof in mid June and have been on their way back down ever since. I need to water mine with the hose though but I've been using mulch the last couple years and it certainly helps keep the moisture right and it gives the soil some nutrients.
I gotta be honest though your set up looks and sounds awesome!
 :cheers: