[scottyb]

I can now raise and lower the horizontal lines as needed although it still takes two people as each side has to be lowered at the same time.  Hot weather last week had me scrambling to get it up due the the plants growing like nuts.



http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6KHON8pP7rQ/S8OzVO9sCJI/AAAAAAAAGwY/tdyzBcsjaa4/s800/IMGP0903.JPG

[scottyb]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6KHON8pP7rQ/S8OzkxOJxEI/AAAAAAAAGwg/2q957VQew8g/s800/IMGP0905.JPG

[capozzoli]

Wow, that thing is awesome.

Just planted my first hop plant.

I was thinking of making a trellis out of steel 2" square bar grate. But that system sure looks like it makes it easy to harvest.

How high does that thing go? Will the vines grow all the way to the top in one season.

Yeah, man these things do grow fast. You almost don't need time laps to see the motion of the growth. 

[dhacker]

Very impressive!

HOWEVER . . . When the bines start to climb and more weight is added to the trellis, I'd be VERY concerned the main support arms (which are already bowing towards the middle at each end) will succumb to the load. I'd put some guy wires to anchors on the backside of each main support to keep the load from collapsing an otherwise beautiful setup.

[dean]

What kind of twine are you using, it looks like regular binder twine?  If it is binder twine, have you used it before, how did it hold up to weather and the weight?

[scottyb]

They are 20' high, 2 x10' 1" pipe sections with couplers in the middle and 36" x 1" on each cross bar.  The horizontal lines are on wood eye screws into PT 2x4 sections, raised and lowered with more parachute cord.  1st time using regular sisal twine for the climbers. 

[thirsty]

cool. that's going to a hell of a lot of hops.

[bluesman]

Wow...that is some serious hoptitude there.

I want to try stringing my hops to about 15'.

I'll post some pics if they make it.

[dean]

1st time using regular sisal twine for the climbers. 

ScottyB, before you put too much faith in the twine try hanging another line top to bottom with a gallon jug filled with water for weight tied on about half way up.  I can't say I have done it myself but twine supposedly will unravel and  separate if its hung and has weight on it, dropping the load.  Just an old farmers tale possibly?  Rope is corded but twine is long gentle twist.  Anyway let us know if you try it, if it works twine is very affordable.  Good luck!   

[enso]

I can speak from experience.  My first year I used sisal twine.  Actually two strands per mound.  Towards the end of the summer as the cones were ripening one snapped when a bit of wind picked up.

I now use sisal rope.  Costs a bit more but it works fantastic.  It is strong enough and the roughness gives the bines something to grab.  Worthwhile investment.

[4swan]

If you have a lot of twine you could always wrap two strands together while setting it up, sort of making your own rope.  I agree with enso one single twine tended to deteriorate by the end to the season, but it all depends on your local conditions.  Also, the twine will probably stretch after some weight is applied.  (You could could put a weight on it for a couple of days and then retie it if you want.)

[enso]

If you have a lot of twine you could always wrap two strands together while setting it up, sort of making your own rope.

That is what I meant by two strands for mound.  Sorry, I did not explain clearly.  Yes, I had a HUGE bail of sisal twine so I doubled it up as 4swan suggests.  That was not strong enough.  I do not think even quadrupling it would have work unless you braid it together or something which in the scheme of things...  Who has the time.  No, as long as there were individual strands they wore out together.

[4swan]

If you have a lot of twine you could always wrap two strands together while setting it up, sort of making your own rope.

That is what I meant by two strands for mound.  Sorry, I did not explain clearly.  Yes, I had a HUGE bail of sisal twine so I doubled it up as 4swan suggests.  That was not strong enough.  I do not think even quadrupling it would have work unless you braid it together or something which in the scheme of things...  Who has the time.  No, as long as there were individual strands they wore out together.

It worked for me one year, but the hops were not vigorous, so it didn't hold much weight. So, I would take enso's advice.

[summy]

I've used the 3/8" and 1/2" sisal twine for several years and have never had any issues with rotting or breakage before I was ready to cut them down for the season.  YRMV.

[bobby_m]

The lines that you have running up the pole to hold the horizontals tight should be secured off at a 45 degree angle to help hold the tops of the poles apart. Once the plants are all the way up, a sharp wind will snap the pole at the coupling. The threaded area is very weak. I know a guy who put a small horn speaker up on a 2.5" rigid pipe and the wind broke it at the threads.

Bobby