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HOPS (Humulus lupulus), is a native perennial familiar to those who brew their own beer and ales because it is the unique female flower (cone) which are used as a flavoring, stabilizer and natural preservative. Many beer makers boast of a high hop content. If you make your own, growing your hops is highly desirable. Some varieties are purely ornamental, while others are the preferred type for beer making, of which there are two types of cultivars -- aromatic and bittering. Unfortunately, you can only tell which is which by genetic testing, so I offer this variety as an ornamental, although it may also be a useful one for brewing. It is a wonderful garden decorative that will quickly fill a stout arbor but then die back to its rhizomous roots in winter, only to burst forth again in spring. They can grow as much as 1-3" a day! Interestingly, Hops belong to the same family as cannibis (hemp). It is not technically a vine, though it has a vining habit. It is a "bine" which have stout stems and tendrils. Plant in sun or mostly sun. Perennial. 10 Seeds.
MEDICINAL AND OTHER USES: In addition to flavoring beer, etc., Hops are used to flavor non-alcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy baked goods, gelatins, puddings, cereal beverages, mineral waters and tobacco. The fragrant hop is also used in the perfume industry. In Belgium, the young bleached tops are eaten as a vegetable. Romans ate the young shoots like asparagus. In China, Hops are used medicinally to treat leprosy, acute bacterial dysentary and pulmonary tuberculosis. Extracts are used in various skin creams and lotions in Europe, although ironically, many experience contact determatitis when picking the Hop, so wear protection and don't grow in a high traffic area where folks can accidentally brush against it. I think there is no question that hops have a sedative effect when brewed as a tea (especially in combination with valerian and chamomile), and some believe it to be an aphrodisiac. Finally, dyers use it to produce a fine brown dye.
GROWING TIPS: Provide a cold stratification period for the seeds before planting in 6-8 weeks before last frost inside, or grow in a cold frame and prick out seedlings to successively pot up until ready to plant. Hops like a rich (mix in a lot of compost) soil that has been deeply dug. Plant each pre-started rhizome a couple of feet apart and mulch well in between the plants to prevent weeds and keep moisture in the soil. The vines can be very thirsty, so water frequently, but always let the plants dry out in between, as wet feet will rot the rhizomes. Water only at the base of the plants to prevent disease, and in humid climes, carefully prune off all the leaves from the first couple of feet off the ground to improve airflow. Just the leaves; don’t damage the vines! They can be subject to mildew in rainy climes so be prepared with a natural fungicide. Shoots appear in early spring at which point, after hardening off, you can position outside after all danger of frost in a rich humusy soil providing strong support. After three years a light pruning if you are in an area where the climate does not naturally prune and/or division to keep growth vigorous. Flowers open late June, followed by cones in July which are ready to harvest August to September, by hand picking (wear gloves). They deteriorate quickly unless properly and quickly dried.
CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM GARDEN SEEDS & PLANTS offer hundreds of heirloom and vintage open-pollinated varieties! Most have histories dating back centuries and are tried and true producers. Some are rare, or threatened with extinction. When you grow a plant from heirloom seed and save that seed, you are participating in a practice that goes back for generations. Our grandparents and their grandparents grew these varieties. Often the seeds were prized possessions carried to the New World when they emigrated.
Ever notice how most seed catalogs require you to buy (and pay for) much more seed than you could ever possibly use in a season? If you have a budget for garden seeds, this limits your choices! Although seeds can be viable for longer than one growing season, it requires that they be stored at a consistent temperature and humidity. Few of us do this. CherryGal sizes its seed packets for the home gardener, because we know you may want to grow 5 different lettuces, or three different corns, and don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do so! CHERRYGAL SEEDS ARE A TREMENDOUS BARGAIN!
All seeds offered are FRESH stock, with high germination rates. Varieties are specially selected for home gardeners. If you want the flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen garden or the beauty of her cottage flowers, choose CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS.
ABOUT OPEN-POLLINATED SEEDS . . . All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are heirlooms (dating at least 100 years) or vintage (mid-20th Century or older) OPEN-POLLINATED varieties. This means saved seed will be true to the parent. Don't be dazzled by the never-ending array of hybrid seeds promoted by gardening suppliers. First, seeds from that produce will not grow true to the parent -- you have to keep buying hybrid seed. Second, most hybrids are developed for market – not home -- growers with an emphasis on extended shelf life, storage and shipping qualities -- NOT flavor, texture and all those other elements that home growers seek.
All CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS come from reputable growers (most of them small farms) and wherever possible ORGANIC suppliers (so noted). By buying CHERRYGAL SEEDS you are supporting the growing worldwide movement of SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and with a little practice you will be able to save even more money in the future by growing open-pollinated varieties and saving seed for next year. All my seeds are DOUBLE GERMINATION TESTED: First by my growers and then by me. Please Note: CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are guaranteed to be fresh stock, but are not guaranteed as to results (sorry - we wish we could, but there are too many variables in gardening) so please do not ask to return. However, we think you will be pleased and would like to hear about your gardening success!
SHIPPING: I endeavor to ship my seeds as quickly as possible - usually within 24 - 48 hours. If there is a need for more time, you will be advised at time of purchase and shipped as soon as possible. In the event an item becomes unavailable or temporarily out of stock I will offer you a chance to substitute another selection or refund you immediately. I package my seeds for shipping in a manner appropriate to the amount and type of seed - larger orders and larger seeds require more packaging. I also combine multiple orders of the same seed variety, where practical, in one envelope unless you request otherwise. This is an ecological measure, not a cost-saving one. Whether you choose first class mail or priority shipping, your seeds will ship using a delivery confirmation number which will be supplied to you.
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