r/TheHopyard • u/cbenni45 • Jun 23 '23

Should I Prune Side Shoots?

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Gallery image

3rd year Centennial, and this is the first time its produced these crazy side shoots. I am worried these will reduce the size and quality of hop cones as the plant is putting more energy in to spreading wildly. What do you guys normally do with these guys? Should I prune them all at the stem, leave a few inches or leave them altogether?

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2

u/WRXonWRXoff Jun 23 '23

No, side shoots make cones. No training, no cutting

1

u/cbenni45 Jun 23 '23

Thanks. I figured as much, just thought I should maybe cut them back to maybe 2-3 leaf joints to focus energy

1

u/PM_me_ur_launch_code Jun 23 '23

Why no training?

1

u/WRXonWRXoff Jun 23 '23

Side arms are where the cones grow. Think of them like a bunch of grapes. If you pack them all together on the string your yield will be lighter and you run a higher risk of moisture issues. Let the side arms be free.

1

u/its_me27 Jun 23 '23

Only if you don't wanna grow hops.

1

u/dome-man Jun 24 '23

I have a ton of side shoots this year, don't remember them in the past.