Winter Planning: Game Planning for the Unknown

One of the best things that any grower can do during the Winter is to create a game plan or Action Plan for addressing things that may come up during the growing season. For example, taking a lesson from Virginia vineyards it may simply only be a matter of time before Hop yards get more instances of the mildews and mites that impact other products throughout the State.

We have been extremely lucky in that our field practices have mitigated thus far any exposure of powdery mildew or downy mildew. Other growers have not been so lucky. One key element is starting with your actual Hop yard design.

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND!

If you want to maximize yield it is important to research your variety and apply some of the lessons learned by others but more importantly adapt those lessons to your own location. Every farm and every grower is different. Every Hop is different as well though some have striking similarities that may be leveraged.

Some things to consider:

1. Row Spacing- you will find that many yards use 10 to 14 feet spaced between rows. The reason for this has to do only with equipment considerations but also to promote adequate air flow as well as warmth exposure from the sun to eliminate moisture within the rows that could lead to mildew at the base of plants---especially after rains.

2. Hill Spacing- a "hill" is actually where you will find the plant material and though there is debate regarding how many plants per hill the question here regard the distance of spacing between hills. This is a critical concern. If you bunch space too tight, you can be almost be guaranteed of less air flow below the canopy (top line growth). Varieties like Cascade and Centennial should be planted about 36 inches apart along with a lot of European hops like Fuggle, Goldings, Hallertau and Perle. The reason is these hops typically have smaller/less horizontal growth- sideway growth along the row. Other varieties like Willamette, Chinook, CTZ-Columbus  and Galena have more horizontal growth and side arms so it is preferable to space at least 40 to 42 inches apart.

3.Pole Spacing and Height: there are certainly ways around the max height you will find in commercial yards which top out at about 20 feet. There are also "Short Trellis" systems using 12 foot poles or less for some varieties as well that are effective, however many feel that the yield is less on short systems and opt for the tall trellis system. If you are a "commercial" grower that may make perfect sense, but to be honest if you are growing less than a half acre of hops it may be easier to install and manage effectively a short system for small scale grower with reduced costs. Spacing of poles comes into play with regard to your load weight from all the vegetation. The average load weight per plant in places like OR or WA may be upwards of 30 pounds at maturity. That means a lot of vegetation. There is a direct relationship between the spacing of the hills (above) and the Poles that support the Trellis in terms of creating a sort of micro climate at the base of the plants that assist with combatting moisture and thus mildews.

These can be modified for each individual grower. It is always about preference but there is certainly not one size fits all. The reason why there seems to be resistance against new varieties being grown in the Mid-Atlantic other than Cascade is that grower have applied the wrong growing regimen and spacing to the others. Not all Hops grow in the same manner; soil and ph can be very different.

That being said, winter also offers an opportunity to formulate a chemical plan and strategy that may be employed in case there is exposure to mildew and mites.

A few considerations are as follows:

One consideration for mites is:

 Acramite® Miticide is a selective miticide for the control of two-spotted mites, european red mites and bryobia mites on pome and stone fruit.

Key benefits of Acramite:

•Provides quick knockdown through contact activity, and exemplary residual control


•The unique chemistry, mode of action and selective nature ensures that Acramite is extremely gentle on beneficials and predaceous mites


•Ideal for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and resistance management programs

For Mildew: (from brand site)

Aliette® brand fungicide delivers true, two-way systemic protection against Phytophthora, downy mildew and other diseases. With multiple modes of action, Aliette attacks pathogens at multiple growth stages for better overall disease control.... And its unique double action not only attacks and controls fungi on contact, but also stimulates the plant's own defense mechanisms.

•Multiple modes of action to control devastating vegetable diseases including downy mildew
•Attacks pathogens at multiple growth stages, for better overall disease control
•The systemic activity allows it to travel upwards and downwards throughout the plant, creating a complete barrier of protection while preventing wash-off
•Inhibits spore production, thereby preventing transmission of disease to neighboring plants
•Systemic fungicide that protects quality and yields for a better return on investment

 

The following products have been used by growers and in particular the North Carolina Research yards and were graciously provided by Kelly Gaskill:

 

Riodomil Gold

Aliette

Tanos (Dupont)

Kocide (Dupont)

Revus

Safetyside

Acramite

Sevin

 

Some others that can be used are:

Quintec- a downy preventative- but not effective if already present

Sonata- organic regimen

Serenade- organic regimen

Fonganil Gold

Ortiva

 

Because the re-introduction of hops is relatively new to a lot of areas within the region, Cooperatives may not have information pertaining directly to Hops, but a lot of times those that pertain to leafy crop plants may be a starting point.

 

The above product lists should be a good start to explore what is available in your area to procure. It is important to remember to read as much as possible on these products before deciding not only which ones to use BUT when to use them and how much.

 

Creating an Action Plan is an effective tool that you have at your disposal and can consult should the situation arise that requires you to address mildew or mites.