How many shoots....

[obie]

....is too many shoots for one trellis line? I used steel cable, so weight isn't a factor. Mine are all second year plants except for my new fuggles that is still just a little guy. Im not too concerned about overall hop weight and production, just need to know if too many rediciulous vines growing together can "choke" each other.

 

[thaymond]

I've seen up to 3 on a bine from growers on the forum. I keep it to 2 max, just in case one breaks early.

 

[Homercidal]

I've done several at a time. The don't seem to "choke" each other, but it does get kind of thick in there, and sometimes they shade the flowers enough to cause them to remain smaller and lighter in color.

3-4 is what I'm going to shoot for this year I think. Just to keep the weight down, make harvesting easier, and see how much production I get compared to previous years. If I ever get out there and weed the beds and get them started, that is...

 

[brewcat]

I think most commercial growers go 2-4 bines per plant. So 2 bines per string. I try to keep mine at 4 per plant. With less bines the hop will focus growth into those bines giving you better growth and yield.

 

[HoppyDaze]

3

 

[Warthaug]

How about words from an actual professional hop farmer?

http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/4/9/5/495...63078823&hwt=ebba5e16fde7a6fe884bc3e3ae06eb00

He recommends 3 bines for aggressive strains (cascade, centennial), 4 or more for less aggressive strains. Basically, you want as many bines as possible without them self-shading.

Bryan