Cobb

Selected by James West, a hop factor, from a garden of Canterbury Whitebine on the farm of John Cobb, Sheldwich, near Faversham, and introduced by Cobb about 1881. It tends to produce strong growth later in the season, so for this reason shoots of only moderate growth should be trained in spring. When ripe the cones should be picked without delay as they do not 'hang' well. The cones have a pleasing appearance and aroma, on suitable soils the yield can be very heavy.
Goldings consist of a group of traditional English Varieties, which have been cultivated for a long time tend to be named after either a hop grower or the parish they were cultivated. Goldings are recognised as having the most typical English aroma, there is special demand for these hops for use in copper hopping and dry hopping of traditional ales. Goldings are also found to be useful for late hopping lagers when a delicate aroma is required.

Availability

Plants in 2 litre pots are available from late May until September, for UK mainland delivery only due to transport implications. Bare root hops plants are available for wider distribution from November.

Growth Data

Time of ripening: Mid/late season
Storage stability: Reasonable
Wilt tolerance: Sensitive
Resistance to downy mildew: Susceptible Resistance to powdery mildew: Susceptible

• Also Known As	Cobb’s Golding
  Characteristics
  Purpose	Aroma
  Alpha Acid Composition	4.4%-6.7%
  Beta Acid Composition	1.9%-2.8%
  Co-Humulone Composition	26%-32%
  Country
  Cone Size	Medium
  Cone Density
  Seasonal Maturity	Mid
  Yield Amount	1500-2000 kg/hectare (1330-1780 lbs/acre)
  Growth Rate	High
  Resistant to
  Susceptible to	Sensitive to wilt, susceptible to downy mildew and powdery mildews
  Storability	Retains 46% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF)
  East of Harvest	Moderate to difficult
  Total Oil Composition	0.8-1.0 mL/100g
  Myrcene Oil Composition
  Humulene Oil Composition
  Caryophyllene Oil
  Farnesene Oil
  Substitutes	East Kent Golding, Early Bird
  Style Guide	India Pale Ale, English Ales

• 
  Information Provided by hopslist.com
  

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Planting Instructions

On receiving your plants remove the plants from the bag, check to see if they are moist, if they are not place in a bucket of water for 1 hour, then plant it in your garden.

1. Dig a hole 9 – 12 inches deep.
2. Place the plant in the hole with the crown of the plant, the bit with the shoots on, 2-3 inches below surface level.
3. Cover all the roots and crown with good quality well mulched soil, or John Innes No3 compost.
4. Firm in gently.
5. Sprinkle some general fertiliser around the surface.
6. Water in only if the soil is dry.
7. Plants should be spaced about a metre apart.

Hop Growing

Hops can grow on a wide range of soil types, although in general they grow best on deep well drained non-acid loam’s. Good soil moisture and fertility are essential in order to sustain the prodigious aerial growth of the hop plant each year. Bines usually begin to grow from the underground rootstock in early April. These healthy bines of appropriate vigour are selected for a procedure known as ‘training’ are induced to begin climbing the strings, which they do in a clockwise direction. When 2-3 bines are established on a string, all surplus shoots should be removed, usually completed by the end of May.

Support

Hop plants have to be provided with supports for the climbing bines on which the cone bearing lateral shoots are formed. Hops can be grown up strings, poles or on a fence with wire support. Fertility can be improved with farmyard manure or proprietary brands of general fertiliser such as growmore.

Disease and Pest Control

Hops are susceptible to mildews, aphids and red spider. These can be controlled with various garden sprays available from most Garden centres.

Harvesting

Pick the hops off the bines in early to mid September. Drying should take place immediately after harvesting, this can be achieved with very satisfactory results by placing the hop cones in an airing cupboard. Store in a dry place.  These can be used for brewing your own beer or Hop pillows (only a small amount put in your pillow will help you sleep). If required for floral decoration do not remove hops from bine, but cut the whole bine off in September and hang to dry in a warm airy place. Remove all leaves off bine before drying.

Pruning

In the Spring, select the number of shoots required, max 8 per plant, and remove all surplus. Remove all growth above ground any time between late Autumn / Winter.This will help reduce carry over of pests and diseases.