The hop plant or latin ‘humulus lupulus‘ is a veracious, dioecious climbing plant; although its the female plant which bears the hops or cones. The term ‘rhizome‘ (an ancient Greek term that means ‘mass of roots’) generally refers to a subterranean plant stem that sends out roots (up to a depth of nearly 4m) and shoots from its nodes.
The plants themselves are perennial which means they die and re-grow every year, and are usually productive for around 10 to 20 years… sometimes more! Supported by a framework of wooden poles, wirework and string, the plants are ‘trained’ to grow to a height of at least 5m. During July they begin to flower and their cones begin to develop and by mid-August (and depending on the type of hop plant), they are usually ready to Harvest.
