Selling/swapping hop plant cuttings by post

[floydmeddler]

I'm interested in buying some hop rhizomes or plants but find the prices of delivery too high. I've read about people being successful with cuttings and had a brainwave. Has anyone here had success with cuttings and if so, would they be prepared to sell me one / a few or do a swap for some yeast on a slant? Check out my yeast bank in my signature.

Would it be even possible to post a cutting without it dying or getting destroyed by Royal Mail?

Maybe this is a stupid idea...

[crafty john]

awalker sent me 3 cuttings last year wrapped in plastic bags with a little compost in a small jiffy bag, I planted them up and they did OK but this year they are a lot stronger. I will be taking cuttings when they are in their third year. I know that won't help you this year but you are welcome to some next spring.

So no it's not a stupid idea and I am sure someone with some mature plants will help you out.

[boingy]

Yes, it is possible but it is not the best time of year to be doing it. Best time is in autumn and the best method is to take a root cutting. The plants are dormant in winter so you can lift them, split the roots and replant. A root cutting will easily survive being posted. Wrap it in a bit of damp newspaper and seal it in a plastic bag.

Hops are now starting to grow so root cuttings cannot really be done. Some folks have reported success with rooting the surplus shoots in spring but I did not manage to get mine to root.

[awalker]

Yep as boingy says

Root cuttings are the best a lot stronger, but will have to wait until next year now.

Cuttings of spare shoots can be done but they will take a few years to get to the same strength as a root cutting.
I just put cuttings in water as I think I read some where on here and the roots started growing, then planted in pots.

Glad to hear they are all ok Crafty John.

[floydmeddler]

OK. Cheers lads. Will put a request out in autumn.

[crafty john]

Yes, it is possible but it is not the best time of year to be doing it. Best time is in autumn and the best method is to take a root cutting. The plants are dormant in winter so you can lift them, split the roots and replant. A root cutting will easily survive being posted. Wrap it in a bit of damp newspaper and seal it in a plastic bag.

Hops are now starting to grow so root cuttings cannot really be done. Some folks have reported success with rooting the surplus shoots in spring but I did not manage to get mine to root.

Did you use hormonal root powder?

[Walrus81]

Floyd,

i have a fuggles root that has been re potted this year. It seems to be throwing shoots up, if you are interested let me know.

If you are not in a rush I can maybe drop it off near Brighton, not sure when I'll next be down that way though!

I might also have a fuggles, however no shoots as of yet.

Would you be willing to trade for WLP300 (assuming I am correct in thinking that it is a Hefeweizen yeast).

Let me know.

[boingy]

Did you use hormonal root powder?

Not this time but I have a long history of being unable to get cuttings of any plant to root. I either end up with a dead twig in water/soil or just create a mouldy ornament. I've tried various powders, gels and methods. So I was quite chuffed when I split my Cascade rhizome and found both are shooting. Some of us are just not green-fingered I guess.

[Walrus81]

I've taken cuttings also and all took.

The only thing that mucked them up was I forgot to open the green house and water them!

so here is how I took a cutting:

1).Find suitable shoot for cutting(it needs to be at least 10cm long and have leafs)

2).Remove shoot from main vine(usinf a sharp CLEAN blade)

3).Trim your cutting to about 10cm long cutting JUST BELOW A NODE (where more shoots branch off)

4).Cut off any extra leafs, using a slicing motion to cut shoots off flush and in one go. You want to have a couple of leafs
on top of the cutting that's it.

5).Take cutting and slide down the inside of a pot filled with compost.

6).Water pot but do not saturate.

7). Please in green house or put a freezer bag over pot and place on window sill where it will get sunlight.

. Keep watered.

9). Plant out when strong enough

The resaon for pusing the cutting down the side of the pot was recomended by a friend who owns a nuersery as it helps roots develop.


As I said this method worked for me and is basically a summer cutting method.

hth.

[floydmeddler]

Floyd,

i have a fuggles root that has been re potted this year. It seems to be throwing shoots up, if you are interested let me know.

If you are not in a rush I can maybe drop it off near Brighton, not sure when I'll next be down that way though!

I might also have a fuggles, however no shoots as of yet.

Would you be willing to trade for WLP300 (assuming I am correct in thinking that it is a Hefeweizen yeast).

Let me know.

Sounds great! Will PM you.

[pantsmachine]

Excellent guide, thanks.

I've taken cuttings also and all took.

The only thing that mucked them up was I forgot to open the green house and water them!

so here is how I took a cutting:

1).Find suitable shoot for cutting(it needs to be at least 10cm long and have leafs)

2).Remove shoot from main vine(usinf a sharp CLEAN blade)

3).Trim your cutting to about 10cm long cutting JUST BELOW A NODE (where more shoots branch off)

4).Cut off any extra leafs, using a slicing motion to cut shoots off flush and in one go. You want to have a couple of leafs
on top of the cutting that's it.

5).Take cutting and slide down the inside of a pot filled with compost.

6).Water pot but do not saturate.

7). Please in green house or put a freezer bag over pot and place on window sill where it will get sunlight.

. Keep watered.

9). Plant out when strong enough

The resaon for pusing the cutting down the side of the pot was recomended by a friend who owns a nuersery as it helps roots develop.


As I said this method worked for me and is basically a summer cutting method.

hth.

[boingy]

I'm pretty sure my cuttings perish due to lack of attention. I find it difficult keeping just the right amount of moisture in the soil. They are fickle little things and don't seem to like dehydration or drowning...

[crafty john]

I'm pretty sure my cuttings perish due to lack of attention. I find it difficult keeping just the right amount of moisture in the soil. They are fickle little things and don't seem to like dehydration or drowning...

You could always place a bucket of water near your pots and put a wick of some sort from the bucket in to each pot, that way a small amount of water will be drawn up by the wick to provide enough moisture. A lot of people use this method with tomatoes etc when they go on holiday. Just remember to keep the bucket topped up.

[floydmeddler]

I'm pretty sure my cuttings perish due to lack of attention. I find it difficult keeping just the right amount of moisture in the soil. They are fickle little things and don't seem to like dehydration or drowning...

You could always place a bucket of water near your pots and put a wick of some sort from the bucket in to each pot, that way a small amount of water will be drawn up by the wick to provide enough moisture. A lot of people use this method with tomatoes etc when they go on holiday. Just remember to keep the bucket topped up.

That's genius! Does the water pot need to be higher?

[crafty john]

I'm pretty sure my cuttings perish due to lack of attention. I find it difficult keeping just the right amount of moisture in the soil. They are fickle little things and don't seem to like dehydration or drowning...

You could always place a bucket of water near your pots and put a wick of some sort from the bucket in to each pot, that way a small amount of water will be drawn up by the wick to provide enough moisture. A lot of people use this method with tomatoes etc when they go on holiday. Just remember to keep the bucket topped up.

That's genius! Does the water pot need to be higher?

Yes then gravity will do all the watering for you, plus they won't get too wet, the pots take just what they need.