Registration is open for the February 13th 2014 Hops Production Workshop

Ohio Hops project on facebook!

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https://www.facebook.com/OhioHops

How should hops be prepped for winter?

Here and the ALE Lab we just carried out some final plant maintenance to get the hop yard prepped for winter.

We had left some vegetation in the field after harvesting back in August-September. We figured since we have first year plants this would be beneficial as the plants need their leaves to photosynthesize (create energy) to build up their roots systems.

Before we cut the plants down the field looked like this:

We cut the bines down to about 1-2 inches above ground level.

...I didn't take us too long to get the hop yard all cleared out!

Due to the presence of downy mildew we trucked all of the vegetation out of the field, and sent it to be composted.

Many growers will cover their hop plants with mulch or compost after cutting them back.  This is supposed to help protect the crowns from freezes. We decided to go mulch free to find out how that method would work for Ohio hop growers.

Polygonia interrogationis on hops

Among the many pests we discovered in our hop yard this year was the Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis). As late instar larvae they managed to completely defoliate an entire plant!

Of course since we are entomologists we saved the larvae in the lab to rear them into adults. The larvae are dark with bright yellow spikes

Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Bugwood.org

The pupae are brown except for silver spots which can vary in size, but there are usually eight of them. They attach themselves to leaves with silk and hang there until adults emerge

Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Bugwood.org

On the adult, the upperside of the forewing is red-orange with black spots. The underside is light brown and a pearly white question mark in center is often located in the center of the hindwing.

If this pest becomes a serious problem applications of Bt will control them. Please read and follow any pesticide label carefully.

Wooster Hops Production Field Day

Our Hops Production Field Day was featured by Farm and Dairy: Hops Article

Earlier this month we had a successful field day with about 80 participants! The excitement surrounding hop production in Ohio is growing and our job is to help growers obtain the knowledge needed to produce hops.

Sunny morning in the hop yard.

We checked out the hop plants in Wooster this morning and they  are starting so show some good vertical growth!

After our first week of pest sampling we have seen no sign of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) or hop aphid (Phorodon humuli). Michigan hop researchers and growers have reported signs of downy mildew in their fields (MSU hop update) and we are keeping our eyes open for signs of the disease as well.

Have a hoppy day!

Hops yard progress...

All the posts are set, and our top wires have been installed!

 All that we have left for trellis construction is the bottom wire and the twine for climbing. The hops are certainly ready for some vertical growth.

Hops Update

We've made some good progress in our Wooster hops yard.

 Most of the plants have leaves...

...and some of the plants are just emerging now.

The construction of our trellis system has started as well!

Holes have been dug...

...and posts have been "planted".

Hops update

The plants are starting to emerge!

 

...and the hops in the greenhouse are really starting to take off!

Hops yard progress: Rhizome planting in Wooster

Step 1: Mark the plots clearly. Rhizomes of different varieties look similar, and the last thing you want to do is mix them up. A good start is knowing exactly which varieties will go where before you even take the rhizomes out of the cooler.

Step 2: If you use landscape fabric (for weed control), burn holes with a torch.

Step 3: Grab your (well organized and labeled) rhizomes!

Step 4: Start planting! We followed the methods demonstrated in this video:

  

Step 5: Watering: Give them a generous amount of water. We gave each rhizome 1 liter, and also considered the fact that it was going to rain later in the day. Keep an eye on them; you should not let the soil dry out, but too much water can be detrimental for rhizomes you are trying to establish.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the graduate students (Jake, Liz, and Doug) who volunteered their time to help us get the hop yard planted!

Now it's time for the waiting and watering game...many more updates to come!

Hops Yard progress

Preparation of the sites for our hops yards is well underway! Piketon has had better luck with the weather. They have constructed their beds, and laid the ground fabric down.

Here in Wooster we are a little further behind, but making progress!

Hops project is a go!

Piketon broke ground for their hops yard today. We are very excited to see this project finally starting! 

Posts have arrived!

Yep! Soil loos good!