Yet again my corn grown in 3 rows, spaced about 30cm apart, has failed. The plant is beautiful and green, and about 2m tall. The cobs just don't develop, even though the threads are turning brown. It appears it's a pollination problem, but I'm not sure what else I can do. Maybe where they're planted doesn't get enough breeze. Any other ideas?
Hi Ryan, I second what Colin said about planting in blocks. I used to plant in rows as well and came up with nothing. When planted in rows and closer together, I started getting results and the sweetest corn that we have tasted. No need to dip in butter as well. My dad even ate it straight off the plant without cooking.
Corn needs to be grown in blocks instead of rows to maximise pollination, the pollen from the tassels falls onto the silk to enable pollination, without this process there will be no corn. Corn is a hungry feeder and loves to be mulched with manure,compost and straw to keep the water in the soil. Another reason for no cobs could be to much nitrogen so check what you are fertilising wiith. Also corn loves lots of water and a sweet soil. it takes 16 weeks from seed to harvest time.I hope this helps. I grow around 200 plants in a block for the year and when harvesting I shuck each cob and roll it in cling wrap, then it's into the freezer. To cook it takes 3 minutes in the microwave and then remove the plastic wrap, carefully.
18 Dec 12 adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hmmm, Ryan. Corn, as you know, pollinates when the dust from the tassles at the top falls on the silks.
Often in the sub tropics, the air is too moist and makes the dust fall straight down to the ground, and it's viability is very short. Maybe you could cut off a tassle carefully, put it straight into a plastic bag, bring it inside with the bag open, just to get rid of a bit of moisture, and then hand pollinate by shaking the bag over the silks of the other corn, or getting a brush and lightly brushing it onto the silks.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.