Hops is a popular climbing plant that not only produces fruit, but also shoots that can be eaten like asparagus. Propagation is not that easy and does not always succeed. What you need to know if you want to propagate hops yourself.
How can you successfully propagate hops?
To successfully propagate hops, you can use cuttings, cuttings or root division. Male plants are undesirable, so sowing is not recommended. Maintain moisture and provide plants with sufficient light during growth.
The methods of propagating hops
- Sowing hops
- Use cuttings
- Cut cuttings
- Share rootstock
Sowing is not recommended as it is not certain whether female or male offshoots will develop. Male plants are undesirable because they do not develop fruits with the healing and spicy ingredients.
Sowing hops
The seeds need to be stratified. In spring they are sown in boxes filled with sowing soil and only lightly covered. The box must not be placed in direct sunlight. The seeds must be kept moist but not wet.
Propagate hops via cuttings or cuttings
When cutting hops in spring, a lot of shoots are produced. Instead of throwing them away, plant them in loose soil the same day. Some of the cuttings will root if they are kept sufficiently moist.
To grow offshoots from cuttings, only cut slightly woody shoots about eight centimeters long from February to May. Remove the lower leaves and place the cuttings (€6.00 on Amazon) in small pots with potting soil or swollen peat.
Cover the pot with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Place it in a warm, not too sunny place until the first shoots appear.
Dividing roots or cutting root cuttings
In commercial cultivation, hops are often propagated via root division or root cuttings. To do this, the root ball must be partially removed from the soil. Only older plants are suitable for this.
The root ball is divided and the desired locations are planted. You grow root cuttings in the pot in the same way as shoot cuttings.
This form of propagation guarantees that a plant will be created that is identical to the mother plant, with the same characteristics and, above all, the same sex.
Tip
In commercial hop cultivation, the varieties play an important role in propagation. Only then will plants be created with a high-quality aroma that gives the beer the right flavor. For exclusive use as an ornamental and climbing plant, the varieties do not play a major role.
