Hops - Common Hops ( Humulus lupulus) Climbing Hop Vine Heirloom NonGMO Herb

Hops - Common Hops ( Humulus lupulus) Climbing Hop Vine Heirloom NonGMO Herb

Perennial

Height 30 ft

Common hops are a perennial herbaceous climbing plant, native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, and Europe and Asia; plant sends up new shoots in early spring and dies back to the cold-hardy rhizome in autumn. The flower cones of the plant, known as hops, are used in the production of beer to impart bitterness and flavour, and for their preservative qualities.

The extract is antimicrobial, and has a similar medicinal effect as valerian. Although frequently referred to as the hop 'vine', it is technically a bine; unlike vines which use tendrils, suckers, and other appendages for attaching themselves, bines have stout stems with stiff hairs to aid in climbing. Excellent foliage vine for trellises, arbors and fences. 
 A vigorous grower at sea level or in the mountains, these are widely employed as fast summer shade and make luscious, dangling, bright green strobiles that are used in the manufacture of beer.   

• Full sun and regular watering.
•  Soil: prefers moist, rich soils, but has some tolerance for drought.
• Will require staking and support or trellis. 
• Sow seed in the fall for germination in the spring, or sow in a cold frame or cold greenhouse from fall to very early spring, with germination in the spring as the soil warms.
• 30 days cold, moist refrigeration (mix seed with moist coir or peat moss in a sealed jar or plastic bag in the fridge) and then plant in a warm place, with germ in 1 to 3 weeks.
• Germination after 30 days outdoor treatment (winter) and 12 days in a greenhouse, an induction period of 42 days until germination.
• Work up in pots and transplant out 3 ft apart.
• Note: you will not get any flowers in the first year as the plant is establishing the rootstock. The hops are ready for picking in mid-March to late May. The hop cone will turn from a moist silky feel to being dry and papery. When the edges begin to turn brown they are ready to be picked. They will ripen at various stages.
  
• Dies to the ground each winter, so stems may be pruned to the ground in autumn after a hard frost.
• Seed Count: 15