Young Plants

Hops can be propagated in different ways. However, to preserve the genetic traits of specific varieties vegetative propagation is the one to choose. Since hops are dioecious (there are male OR female plants), generative propagation via seeds would lead to a mixing of the genetic material of the male and female plants, neither the variety characteristics regarding the ingredients nor the resistances would be known. Not even the sex of the descendants would be known.
 
Root-Shoot Cuttings
Propagation by root-shoot cuttings is the most widespread. When the plant stock, specifically the root stock, is pruned back in spring, the pruned part of the hop plant is used for cutting material. Since the cuttings have both parts of the shoot with sprouting buds and an area of the root, it is possible to obtain an entire plant with this method. Because of its simplicity, this method is often used to reoccupy missing parts. The hop-growers speak of "Schnitt-Fechsern".
 
If the cuttings method is somewhat refined and the cut plant parts are divided as much as possible, it is necessary to pre-cultivate the small plants in pots. They speak of "pot foxes";
 
Shoot Cuttings
When propagating via cuttings, in contrast to cuttings, fresh green shoots of hop plants are used. This method of propagation requires a high level of technique and care to be successful, but in return allows a large number of young plants. If - as on our farm - the source plants are cultivated separately from the purchased crops and protected, it is possible to obtain young plants that are free from soil-borne pathogens and free from yield-reducing viruses.