Growing dwarf hops

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:56 pm

He told me Prima Donna and first gold were the same thing

I'm definately going to get him to post me a couple at that price

Reaper · Post by **Reaper** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:59 pm

Hi Lads
Ok so we can get dwarf hops whats the best, Primadonna/First Gold or Golden Tassels, the other thing is do you need a male and female plant or two Varieties like apple trees.

regards Paul

Andy Ill get them direct if he'll post them out to me, thanks.

Post by **Andy** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:07 pm

Personally I'll get the First Gold as it's used in commercial brews i.e. I've heard of it

From google:-

"Hops are dioecious, which means they have separate male and female plants. Only the female produces the flowers that are used for brewing or medicinal purposes. Male plants have no commercial value, but are used to pollinate females. Pollination stimulates higher yields by increasing cone size and seed set, but because brewers prefer seedless hops, males are only grown with other wise poor yielding female varieties. hop seed from a pollinated female is only planted when a cross between the male and female is desired to obtain a new variety. "

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:32 pm

there are some http://www.aplus-hops.co.uk/info.htm here for growing hops... seems pretty straightforward.

Am thinking about getting my mum some plants as a 'gift' as well (or rather insurance policy in case mine die

)

Reaper · Post by **Reaper** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:06 am

Found this on a google search thought it might be of interest

FIRST GOLD Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Class: Tall
Origin and Production
First Gold is a dwarf hop, bred at HRI-Wye, from a cross-pollination of WGV with a dwarf male. It has a very attractive aroma which some liken to Goldings but with a higher alpha content than traditional aroma hops. First Gold crops with a large number of medium sized cones and yields well on the trial sites. Reasonable tolerance to Verticillium wilt seems to have been inherited from its WGV parent.

Brewing Character
Early brewing trials indicate that First Gold is an extremely exciting prospect. The variety is very suitable as a general kettle hop and also for late and dry hopping in all types of beer. First Gold has excellent aroma qualities and much of the flavour of WGV seems to have been retained, producing a well-balanced bitterness and a fruity, slightly spicy note in ales. Considerable areas of First Gold are being planned and there is significant interest already from BritainÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s traditional ale brewers.

Analytical data
Alpha acid (range) 5.6 ~ 8.7%
Beta acid (range) 2.3 ~ 3.6%
Ratio
Alpha : Beta 2.4 ~ 3.2 :1
Cohumulone (% of alpha) 29 ~ 34%
Total oils, ml/100g (dry) 0.7 ~ 1.3

Growth details
Area (2000) 164 hectares
Yield (average) 20 zentner/ha
Time of ripening mid-season
Storage stability moderate
Tolerant to wilt, susceptible to downy mildew, resistant to powdery mildew.

regards Paul

Post by **Andy** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:56 pm

Dave - have you heard owt else from the Hops man ? Wonder if his contact has been in the shop recently....

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:30 pm

I e-mailed him this morning, and would expect a reply tonight or tomorrow morning (when i spoke to him he said he answered e-mails at home outside of shop hours) - I'll let you know as soon as i hear owt B)

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:40 pm

Got an e-mail from beer essentials:

*************************
I've spoken to the nurseryman and he said they'll be ready soon. I'll let you know when I've got some.

Re. postage I'll have to weigh the pots when I get them.

I'll be in touch asap.

Best regards

Gareth
*************************

I'll let you know when I hear from him

Post by **Andy** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:46 pm

All gone a bit quiet from the hop man :huh:

Post by **Andy** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:04 am

Check my Email this morning and hop man reckons plants will be available this week B)

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:50 am

QUOTE (andy @ Apr 3 2006, 07:04 AM) Check my Email this morning and hop man reckons plants will be available this week B)
I was just about to say the same thing

If anybody else wants some, I suggest you send him an e-mail saying that you've heard that he is selling hops, and you want x number. He'll then work out postage costs etc when he has the hops to weigh and get back to you. The variety he has are the Dwarf Prima Donna variety. E-mail: info@thebeeressentials.co.uk .

Cool B)

Post by **Andy** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:34 pm

Potential hop growers: Have you given any thought to the type of support structure you're going to put in place for the hop to grow on ?

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:05 pm

QUOTE (andy @ Apr 5 2006, 01:34 PM) Potential hop growers: Have you given any thought to the type of support structure you're going to put in place for the hop to grow on ?
Funny you should ask that. I've just come back from Wilkingson's in Worthing with a couple of trellis (not sure what the plural of trellis is

) - a quid each. Should do the trick. Wilkingsons have a wide selection of trellis-type-things, all really cheap

Post by **Andy** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:28 pm

I was in my local Wilko's looking at their trelli this lunchtime

Didn't see any for a squid though! Describe this trellis to me.....

bitter_dave · Post by **bitter_dave** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:55 pm

QUOTE (andy @ Apr 5 2006, 04:28 PM)Didn't see any for a squid though!Ã‚Â Describe this trellis to me.....

Despite the price on the 'trelli', this cost a quid.

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Growing dwarf hops