The general rule I follow is to cut back all of the weakest bines and train only the strongest up the line during the first season to establish a nice root system.
In season two, we'll cut back the weakest again and send two bines up the line. We should have a chance at harvesting some nice hops this year.
Season three will have three bines up the line and we should see our first full harvest. In every season following, we will cut back all but the strongest three bines to begin training.
You can see the two I decided to cut, along with both bines that will be trained, and that one is signficantly stronger than the other. Both have nice leaves early on which will help catch some much needed sunlight. When cutting back shoots, I usually pull them up lightly to expose more before cutting.
Hops will practically find the ropes on their own but when they do need help, you'll want to train them clockwise by looking down the line.
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In season two, we'll cut back the weakest again and send two bines up the line. We should have a chance at harvesting some nice hops this year.
Season three will have three bines up the line and we should see our first full harvest. In every season following, we will cut back all but the strongest three bines to begin training.
You can see the two I decided to cut, along with both bines that will be trained, and that one is signficantly stronger than the other. Both have nice leaves early on which will help catch some much needed sunlight. When cutting back shoots, I usually pull them up lightly to expose more before cutting.
Hops will practically find the ropes on their own but when they do need help, you'll want to train them clockwise by looking down the line.
[Read More]
