earle wrote: Any ideas appreciated.
Patience. No really. My chinook as a first year plant sprouted early and stalled. The picture above in this thread was of a first year columbus and yielded approx 200g wet for the season. The chinook was a major disappointment.
Second year this year and they are both off to a ripping start. Although they wouldn't compete with your cluster height wise the bines are slightly bigger than a pencil in diameter which compared with last year is massive. More of them too. The chinook is first to the top of the fence and looks likely to give me something in return for the angst I've had to put up with. Really neglected them over winter to no apparent ill effect, no fertiliser, no nothing. Obviously it would depend on a few things like soil type, rainfall and the like but as a gross generalisation I'd say no need to go overboard with the fertiliser or watering. Just a spray with bug off or confidor and some seasol and light liquid fertiliser once a month (I used thrive) should see you right.
In response to Guru's question I got them off a local brewer who was cleaning out his vege patch. If there is a brew club in your area that would be a good place to start.
2000 light beers from home.