Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:05 pm
In short: Normal for first year, too late, and too short/low.
The long version: Don't expect hops the first year. Second year should be awesome, and third year will be even better. Also, in the Great Lakes region they like to be able to start growing in late March. May is quite late. So, again, next year will be fine, they'll be able to start when they want, in March. And finally... you usually won't see many hop flowers grow below around 6 or 7 feet from the ground. They like to be up high for whatever reason -- probably nature's way of helping the fertilized ones (with seeds, in the wild) to fall farther away from the mother plant. Otherwise they'd fall real close to the mother hop mound, which doesn't help spread the species as much. Cuz that's really life's whole reason for living -- be fruitful and multiply. But if you're competing for food with momma all your life then neither you or momma are going to be as fruitful.
Don't worry about shade. As long as they get sun for about half the day, they'll be just fine. The absolute number one most important thing that hops need is WATER. Lots and lots and LOTS of water. Number two is insecticide, IF you have any insect issues. Sun is lower down the list, IMHO.
Dave
"This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption. Let us give praise to our Maker, and glory to His bounty, by learning about... BEER!" - Friar Tuck (Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves)
