Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 4 - 8
- Height: 240 inches
- Bloom Season: Summer
- Bloom Color: Green
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil, pH 6.1 - 7.8
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 41F
- Average Germ Time: 35 - 42 days after cold stratification
- Light Required: No
- Depth: 1/8 - 1/4 inch
- Sowing Rate: 1 - 2 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 2 feet
Hops (Humulus Lupulus) - Humulus lupulus, aka hops, is a perennial climber growing to almost 20 feet high at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. Hops are noted for attracting wildlife, pharmaceuticals, and beverage flavoring such as beer.
Hops produce rich, heavily scented, green-golden fruit that is harvested in autumn. The flowers of Humulus lupulus contain the chemicals myrcene, myrcenol, resin, linalool, humulene and tannins, all used extensively in the pharmaceutical industy. Also, another common usage is flavoring for the beer industry.
Hops seeds can be slow to germinate. Use a process called "cold scarification" to encourage hop seed germination. A good method is to put seeds in an equal amount of moist sand and refrigerate from one to three months at about 41 degrees F. After that, plant the seeds at 68 degrees F. for one to two months. If the hops seeds have not germinated, put them back in the refrigerator and repeat the cycle.