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Hop,
Humulus lupulus L. (Urticales: Cannabaceae), is a perennial
plant related to nettles and cannabis (hemp) that annually produces
climbing stems from a perennial rootstock and crown. The bines
(=vines) are produced in the spring and are densely covered
with hooked hairs (trichomes) that help the bine climb. As the
bine grows it winds around its support in a clockwise direction
reaching length of 25 feet or more in a single growing season.
Hop is
dioecious, producing male and female flowers on separate plants.
The commercial hop is a female plant with flowers (burrs)
produced on side arms that develop along the stem. Burrs develop
into hop cones, which are sometimes called hops.
Fertile
male plants are not tolerated in commercial hop yards as their
pollen causes seeds to be produced reducing the brewing quality
of the cones. The stem dies back to the crown after the hop
flowers mature. Hop requires a period of winter rest or vernalization
for optimum growth and flower production. A period of about
6 weeks with temperatures below 40° F (4.5° C) is
needed meet this requirement. In the hop growing areas of
the Pacific Northwest, this requirement is easily met.
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