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With the acute shortage of hops which struck homebrewers and commercial brewers beginning at the end of 2007, there has been a rapid expansion within the field of hop farming, with many homebrewers/gardeners beginning to plant and grow hops for the first time. In less than one year, the 'Grow-Hops' Yahoo Group gained 1,970 members, many of whom were first time growers but members also included a significant number of experienced growers and commercial hop farmers to help educate the public on this particular topic.


Because 'Grow-Hops' has accumulated far more than a hundred links to individual articles related to the topic of growing hops, which articles range from propagation and planting of rhizomes to harvesting and processing the crop, the resulting massive amount of information should be consolidated and summarized into a single document which efficiently outlines and incorporates all the vital information into one source with a minimum of repetition, and which provides both the majority viewpoint as well as credible minority viewpoints on any given aspect (with sources).


There are several main divisions of information which pertain specifically to hops, along with a large number of areas which apply generally to gardening and agriculture such as general composting, fertilization, pest control, etc. While such general side-issues can be incorporated in this article, our primary focus should be on information specific to growing hops, and therefore any information within general areas should specify how they apply to hops.


Historical Information about Hops
Known varieties, the uses each variety is best for, and locations where each variety grows best.

Harvesting of Rhizomes? — the most common and reliable method
Rooting of Bines?-- using either 'layering' or 'cuttings'
Use of rooting hormones? and substitutes for hormones?
Potting?and starting rhizomes indoors
Seeds — never recommended.

Climate and Microclimate? — considerations about sunlight, drainage, windbreak, and proximity to other 'stuff'
Latitude?-- length of daylight
Use of electric lighting? to supplement daylight
Soil preparation? in advance of planting
Soil analysis?
Elevation and/or composition of soil to assist with drainage?
Spacing of plants?, and depth of planting
Root-Barriers?
Moving or Transplanting crowns?

Arbors?
Fences?
Trellises?
Pulleys and Folding Structures?
String And Cable?

What is Hydroponics
Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponic Basics
Lighting
Nutrients
CO2
Atmosphere
Scrog Technique
Plant Body Language
Test Equipment
Hydroponic Tips
1rst Hydroponic Hops Grow


Trimming and Pruning?
Watering
Fertilization (also see 'Composting' under 'Weed and Pest Control', below)
Nitrogen needs (when and how), and needs for other nutrients (phosphorus, potassium, etc.)
Compost Tea and Manure Tea
Green Manure — nitrogen-fixing crops grown soley for tilling into the soil.
Herbicides? - herbicides for use with hops
Companion Planting

Animal Control - Deer, Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Raccoons, Squirrels, Moles, Armidillos, etc.

Aphids
Spider Mites
Grubs and Worms?
Harmful Nematodes?
Japanese Beetles


Organic Pest Controls
Use of predatory insects?
Beneficial Nematodes?
Pesticides - pesticides for use with hops
Root-Pruning? (see also section 1a - Harvesting of Rhizomes).

Diseases
Bacterial Diseases
Fungal Diseases including Mildews and Wilts
Viral Diseases?
Fungicides? - Fungicides for use with hops

How to determine readiness for harvest?
Continuous or Multiple harvesting?
Single harvesting?

Dehydrators?
Oasts?
Screens?
Other methods? (e.g., drying inside hot vehicles).

Packaging?
Nitrogen packaging?
Vacuum packaging?
Zip-Locked? bags?
Pelletizing?
Degradation during storage?

Watering


Titration?

Aroma?
Bittering?
Flavoring?
Wet Hopping or Harvest Hopping?

Feasibility and practicality? of small farms, special equipment needs, etc.

Possible Vernalization Needs (experiment now pending)
Vernalization Methods?
Survivability of varieties versus locations?
Cross-breeding? of hop varieties and 'hybrids'
Allergic skin reactions? when picking hops, and recommended treatments.

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