Nitro! Well, if you are a big StoutHead like me and my close friends you love beers on Nitro! Even in the midst of the beginnings of summer, I can still taste that crazy localicious Hardywood GBS on Nitro or some Left Hand Stout flowing with Nitro at the local pub. That Nitro however, will have to wait for another time as when many of us hop growers refer to the term "nitro" we are talking about replenishing the hops with nitrogen nourishment.
During the development of a hop throughout the season, each stage of growth requires a different level of nourishment and thus calls for varying amounts of nutrients. This may be acquired by the plant through the native soil depending upon the make up---view your soil test-- or may be added at different intervals throughout the season. Nitrogen is one component that will have a greater influence on the harvest yield. Low levels throughout the growing season will certainly create very low yields as the flowering stage which contributes to cone development requires more nitrogen than any either stage of development.
First year plants can be a very temperamental lot. Rhizomes as well. Over watering--very easy to do given all the rain this year we have experienced- and excessive chemical fertilizer too early in the development of the plant will result in higher rates of plant failure. A balance must be struck in terms of the proper levels of nitrogen and other elements within the soil contributing to flowering. Most data supports these levels in terms of pounds per acre. These are rates range from 75 to 100 pounds per acre of introduced nitrogen fixing depending upon what region of the country one is growing in. These numbers are further influenced by the fact that's some growers will plant cover crops as nitogen fixers as well- these may be clover or various soybean crops for example- and nitrogen additions should be adjusted based on the fact that cover crops are also part of the growing regimen.
How do we know if we are heavy or if we are deficient with regard to Nintrogen- or N-fixing? Typically the plant will communicate it to us but no always. Even plants entirely green throughout the canopy can be lacking in the proper levels. If you have a plant for example that appears to have climbed 16-20 feet with larger leaves and yet there appears to be little sign of any burrs or flowering than it tends to be a good indicator that the soil may be low on Nitrogen. Obviously, a tissue sample from the leaves conducted throughout the season can truly provide the data, but introducing some compost and nitrogen is typical a good measure at this juncture of development to kick start flowering.
The Flowering period requires more Nitro. Usually mid-June throughout July will require more than the early Spring months. Typically in the Spring period the plant has enough stored nutrients in the root system or the crown to begin the development and get things started as it come out of dormancy but has the plant vegetates and then enters the Flowering stage it requires a lot more nutrient levels to sustain it through this period in order to produce quality cones.
Its been our experience that a lot of growers have a hard time transitioning from growing in pots to growing in the ground in large part due to the nitrogen issue. When growing in pots it is always a bit easier to maintain. Most routinely add compost and water when required, but then do not transfer the same behavior when they begin to plant in rows. Potted plants also do not have to deal with weeds sucking up available nutrients from the potting or compost mix either. This is a factor that a lot of growers over look.
If you feel as though your plant growth; by this I mean the rate of climb has slowed or halted altogether then the best remedy typically is a shot of nitrogen. Another indicator may also be in the color of your leaves if they begin to lighten in color or even turn yellow green that can also be a red flag that the plant is lacking nitrogen.
If you want to increase yield or give your plant the best opportunity to reach its full potential, monitor your nitrogen periodically, but pay specific attention at the pre-flower or burring stage and once this triggers give them a dose of some quality compost.
Give'm some Nitro!
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