This is my third season for these hops. I'm wondering if I need to be doing something different. See the pics. I have dug them out. My growing hops book says to remove the protective topsoil/mulch after winter and lay down some new soil. For the last two seasons I have gotten tons of hop cones.
Questions I have:
1) Should I be pruning the main clumps? If so any advice how?
2) I dug out the clay soil, laid in a bed of planting soil. The hops have said who cares and burrowed diligently into the clay. Problem with that is that it's too think to let the hop runners break out. Any advice?
3) Is this kind of root growth normal?
4) How can I do rhizome cuttings and when should I?
5) My main hop plant has at least 5 1" thick roots that run laterally for 2 to 4 feet. Is this normal/ok?
Pics web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/JT.Neville/HopsSpring2010#
Thanks!
JT