Humulus

Family. Cannabacea.

Where does it grow? Asia.

Description. These are perennial plants, which are large vines with stems up to 6 m long. The leaves are deeply palmately divided, green or yellowish, the edges of the leaf blades are often serrated and have sparse pubescence. The flowers are pale green or white, have a pleasant bitter-honey aroma. Hops are dioecious species - male and female flowers are located on different specimens. After flowering, female individuals produce fruits - green or yellow cones. Currently, variegated varieties have been bred.

Height. Up to 6 m., grow very quickly.

Planting and care

Growing, pruning

Provide the plant with support to grow. Long stems can be pruned to create a compact shape. The tips of young shoots are regularly pinched. Weak and old stems are cut off at the base. 

Propagation 

Propagated by stem cuttings 8-10 cm long. Rooting is carried out under glass or a transparent plastic cap for 1-1.5 months. Seeds.

Transplant 

Replant in the spring, annually. 

Flowering time

From July to September.

Containment temperature

In summer, a normal room temperature of 18 - 22° C is suitable, it should be reduced to 10° C in winter so that the plant can rest before the next growing season. 

Lighting

Grows in full sun or partial shade, but if the shading is too strong, variegated varieties lose their attractiveness and turn green. 

Soil for growing

Prefers well-drained soils. A wide range of substrates are suitable, but it is better to make a mixture based on fertile loam.

Fertilizer

Indoor humulus are fed with water-soluble fertilizers every 2 weeks from March to October.

Spraying

In spring and summer, it is advisable to maintain high humidity by misting the leaves daily. Place the pot on a tray filled with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier.

Watering 

Water generously, thoroughly wetting the soil. Between waterings, dry the top layer of the substrate to a depth of about 5 cm. In the winter months, when the vines are dormant, watering should be minimal.

Diseases and pests

Leaves may turn pale due to a lack of nutrients. Leaf blades fall off due to insufficient air humidity. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, burns appear on the leaves.

Of the harmful insects, the main danger is represented by aphids, red spider mites, fleas, weevils, sawflies, caterpillars, and wireworms.

Purpose

A very effective decorative foliage species, however, due to its large size, it requires a lot of space. It is used for vertical gardening.

Note

The cones are used in brewing, the leaves are stuffed into pillows - it is believed that this prevents insomnia. Humulus can live indoors for many years with proper care, but with age, the vines often lose their appeal.

Varieties:

Humulus lupulus

A perennial deciduous vine with flexible stems reaching a height of 4.5 - 6 m. The plants are dioecious, that is, male and female flowers are on different specimens. The leaves are green, on long, thin petioles, arranged in opposite pairs. The leaf blades are glossy, palmately dissected, with small teeth along the edges. The leaf veins are branched. During the flowering period, female plants form greenish scaly cones. Male flowers are greenish, with many long, straight stamens, collected in small, branched inflorescences - racemes.

Humulus japonicus

Decorative deciduous annual vines with thin, flexible stems, the length of which can reach 2.5 m. The leaves are green, divided into several lanceolate fingers, arranged in opposite pairs. The leaf blades are glossy, green, with small teeth along the edges. Male plants produce large, branched panicles with small, greenish flowers. Female inflorescences bear larger, greenish flowers, collected in drooping racemes.