So I got my hops planted a little late, some in april and some in june. I have them planted in 5 gal buckets because in about a month I will be moving and was planning accordingly. I have 1 2year old plant that I transplanted into a bucket along with my other. I also don't have a good trellis system as mine is this.. I have a hole drilled into the top of the bucket and have a string going from it to the roof of my house. but the strings are at about a 45 degree angle to allow for the height of the plants. My biggest plants are the 2 year old Centinneal and 2 cascades hitting about 7.5 feet. Is this normal for what i am doing?

Sounds like your plants are should be taller. If they were transplanted then possibly ok in height. How does the plant look? Nice green leaves...burrs yet?

Commercial hop growers aim to have their hops reach the top of the trellis on the longest day. That said, I drive past a lot of hop fields on my way to work, rubbernecking the whole way, and I see plenty of first and second year plots at about that height. Also keep in mind that hops are fertilizer whores and sun sluts

I just picked my first harvest this year. About 3oz dried. Too bad I was in between brew weeks. I can't wait to wet hop with some of these. 2nd year Cascades in the ground were 12' high a month ago.

Here's what mine look like

Isn't it a bit early in the year for harvesting? ;P

They got such a jump with the weather down here this year and it's been so hot they were staring to get brown and I did'nt want to lose them. I have a 30' raised bed with a soaker hose covered with black plastic and I water every other day. Smelled great at picking and the 2nd set of cones are coming in nicely. I've got them in full sun and it's been in the 90's like every day for the last 6 weeks here

Hey, good for you man!