Hop Harvest

[kurtford]

This what I got so far. I looks like I'm a little less than have way done picking and still have little buds popping up here and there that could make me have to pick more for the next few weeks.

[jjbuck]

Does that characteristic hop aroma develop only as the buds dry? I've got some 1 1/2 in buds but the two I've picked have no "hop" aroma. More like crushed young grass. When should you pick the buds?

[tony b]

Harvest #2 today. Got another 1/2 bucket. Plently of small buds & flowers left on the bines. So, I suspect at least a couple more harvests over the next several weeks.

Batch #1 dried out to be about 3.5 oz. Put into vacuum bags (1/2 oz each) and frozen.

JJ, while I'm not a professional grower by any means, I did learn from one at AHA (while staying at a Holiday Inn, just kidding!) Size of the buds isn't the critical parameter to look for when harvesting. The buds should begin to open up their petals and flare out (look at the pictures posted by me and Kurt.) Look at the base of the petals and you should see some yellow material. That's the key, it's where the most of the essential oils are (lupulins). I've been picking buds from 2+ inches to as small as 1/2 inch. Some are starting to dry out a bit and are becoming a tad brittle, but most are soft and pliant. Seems to depend on whether they are shaded by the leaves or exposed to the sun.

As far as aroma goes, the just-picked ones don't have a lot of smell, unless you crush them between your palms to release the lupulins, that yellow shmutz between the petals. They seem to pick up more aroma (uncrushed) after drying, but still not as strong as you'd expect from the pellets that you're used to using.

[daveR]

Look at the base of the petals and you should see some yellow material. That's the key, it's where the most of the essential oils are (lupulins).

I sprinkle that on my corn flakes for breakfast. I also drink arrogant bastard while I work out.

[kurtford]

JJ,
I've noticed the yellow pollen inside the hop anywhere from 1/2" to 2". The biggest hop I've harvested is around 2", most of them are around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2. Nothing as big as Tony's hops.

[tony b]

Who says size doesn't matter?

Just kidding. Really, most of my harvest to date has been the same size as Kurts. While I have gotten quite a few of the bigger ones (2"+), most are around 1", with some as small as 1/2". Like I posted for JJ, it doesn't seem to matter about size, it's the opening up of the petals and the development of the lupulins that signals - "pick me!"

[carrisr]

I'm starting to get some off 2 of the 3 I planed from Matt's bunch. I also had a friend bring be about 1-2 oz of Cascade that they planted on their farm. They don't even brew but thought hops sounded fun. They will plant more next year too. I put an once wet into the the PA that's finishing up. The rest I dried in our food dehydrator. I'll probably dry all of the ones I pick. Looks like I may get about an ounce off of the two bines.

[carrisr]

Here's what I got. there still a handful of buds so we'll see if they develop.

[kevin1219]

I too have grown hops and received hops - sometimes wild hops - to assist in my brewing. Just wondering how best to use them. Is there a an easy test to see how much bitterness or flavor you will get from them? Do you brew a tea, test them chemically, or just dump a measured amount in and hope for the best? Thanks - Kevin

[tony b]

Another 4 3/4 oz of dried buds went into the freezer tonight. I'm close to a full pound so far and I can probably harvest more this weekend. Plant is starting to turn brown though, so it might be nearing the end.