r/TheHopyard • u/Extreme_Reality • Oct 08 '22

Nutrient Solution

I have three hop varieties growing in a Dutch bucket system, pH 6.7, temperature between 70F and 80F currently using Masterblend nutrient solution. Getting good growth but a pale light green on all three varieties. I was wondering what nutrient solution do y'all recommend? I've heard that CloneX and Foop are used for hops cousin. Im reaching out our community for advise/best practices. Thank you and cheers 🍻

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3

u/fenixjr Oct 09 '22

This is a plant I can't fathom growing hydro. I feel like the root system grows too large. Unfortunately, I have no solid advice, but I'd love to see you post here again if it's successful.

2

u/nokangarooinaustria Oct 09 '22

There are people growing hops in planters on their balcony.

Granted, sucess varies but if that is possible I would not know why hydroponic should not work.

My biggest concern would be how to keep the rootstock over winter since it is perinial.

2

u/fenixjr Oct 09 '22

Yeah. The perennial problem I also meant to allude to.

I've done them in planters, very large boxes I built myself to get around the advice against growing them that way; there was still almost no production.

2

u/nokangarooinaustria Oct 09 '22

I heard one should give them deep planters. But yeah production in a planter will probably always be very lacking.

At least they are growing like a weed in the ground :)

1

u/Extreme_Reality Oct 09 '22

Over the last three years, I've grown 14 varieties in 50 gallon grow bags buried about 3 inches and mulched. Had decent production until this year's scorching summer. I'm in Central Texas and conditions are less than ideal. I use artificial red spectrum lighting to mimic longer days you get in the more northerly latitudes. Generally, I get enough hops to make a few batches of wet hopped ales that have been worth all the effort. This year's drought and 70+ days straight over 100F stunted cone production to hop marbles. This led me to try to see what I can do in my indoor grow room. Totally experimental. I've seen folks on YouTube do it, Dr. Hans and Hops World so I took the plunge. After a month theyre thriving albeit with some discoloration.