Prima Donna (First Gold) – Hop Plant

£11.95

Prima Donna hop plant (otherwise known as First Gold) is a dwarf variety, designed to grow to a height of around 2-3 metres in a hedgerow system.

Hop Plant Stocks are subject to natures’ schedule and the weather, however we deliver plants to you as soon as possible in December 2023 and subject to availability.

For detailed information about this specific plant, please see the description below.

63 in stock

Description

Prima Donna or First Gold Hop Plant/Rhizome

Prima Donna hop plant (otherwise known as First Gold) is a dwarf variety, designed to grow to a height of around 2-3 metres in a hedgerow system. Bred at Wye College in 1995 this is a plant at the cutting edge of hop breeding. It’s a good choice for small gardens where space is limited as it produces short laterals. If left to its own devices this hop will ramble over a trellis like any other variety.

Prima Donna will start green and turn a little yellow later in the season, with a large number of medium to large and compact cones. Due to its wonderful aroma, Prima Donna is used in brewing to produce a traditional light bitter, and other pale and Blonde ales, with a flavour described as fruity with spicy notes.

Substitutes: East Kent Goldings

 

Characteristics Tangerine, orange, cinnamon aroma, marmalade flavors
Purpose Bittering & Aroma
Alpha Acid Composition 5.6%-9.3%
Beta Acid Composition 2.3%-4.1%
Co-Humulone Composition 31%-36%
Country UK
Cone Size Medium to large
Cone Density Moderate to compact
Seasonal Maturity Mid
Yield Amount 1100-1700 kg/hectare (980-1500 lbs/acre)
Growth Rate Moderate
Resistant to Resistant to powdery mildew and verticillium wilt
Susceptible to Susceptible to downy mildew
Storability Retains 80%-85% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF)
Ease of Harvest Difficult
Total Oil Composition 0.7-1.5 mL/100g
Myrcene Oil Composition 24%-28%
Humulene Oil Composition 20%-24%
Caryophyllene Oil 6%-7%
Farnesene Oil 2%-4%
Style Guide Porter, English Bitter, Wheat Beer, Celtic Ale, Summer Ale, Amber Ale, Dark Amber Ale, India Pale Ale, Imperial India Pale Ale

Additional information

Weight 0.15 kg

Caring for Hop Plants

Growing hops is easy!  The instructions below are sent with each plant, and you can find more information in our Guide to Growing Hops article.

Here are some key points:

  • Hop plants are a hardy perennial, best planted as a bare root during the dormant winter months.
  • Hops like a well drained fertile soil and should be planted in open ground as soon as possible.
  • Make sure the hole is deep and the crown well covered.
  • Mark the spot with a screw peg.
  • Install your support (trellis, coir string) for the plant to climb up before the spring.
  • Small shoots should appear when the weather warms (April)
  • Train the shoots clockwise during May & June.
  • Harvest at the end of August.

Availability & Delivery

Dormant root stock becomes available in late November / December and is available to buy through to the following spring, as stocks last.

Our dormant hop plants are wrapped with damp moss and are happy in transit for several weeks; any delay will not affect the viability or health of your plants and they can still be planted mid-winter in January.

We use Royal Mail to delivery our hop plants.

We do not send bare root hop plants overseas.

Returns Policy & Terms

Hop plants are perishable products and as such, are non-refundable and non returnable. Please check our Returns Policy before you order and take a look through our full Terms & Conditions.

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