Sweetcorn - MERGED

Kay_Peel

I put mine out yesterday, in a raised bed. I've never grown them before. I sowed the seeds in individual pots and when they got two strong leaves, I started putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night. For the past five days, they have been out all night and still growing!

I dug a trench, put some cardboard in the bottom and placed grass clippings on top. I them put a thick layer of twiggy, egg-shelly, half-rotted compost along the trench, and covered in with soil and fresh compost.

I put five plants in the bed. I created a 'dent' around each plant, the size of a saucer, firmed it a bit and filled in with water. (That's a tip that I got about watering down to the roots, instead of watering from the top.)


I like Tam Lin's tip about comfrey leaves - I'll try that.

I expect the plants to grow about five feet tall and to be quite thirsty. I hope that the plants will support the runner beans beside it. I don't expect a huge crop - I'd be pleased with four or fives ears of corn. In short, you'll need a thumping great pot for a single corn plant.

Kay

Tam_Lin

I've not grown corn before but generally you get 2 cobs per plant, so I hear. You might be lucky, kay, and get more than you expect. I like the tip about watering.

knithappens

5thanks for the advice. i am in the process of making a raised bed so hop[efully by the time hat is ready they can go in there

mjr600

Sweetcorn originates from North America and was grown by native Indians, to get the best from each crop they put a dead fish in the hole before planting and the nutrients it released ensured a healthy well fed plant.

Anyway you must ensure that you plant them correctly or pollenation will be hit and miss, this will result in cobs with hardly any corn inside. Make sure you plant in a grid pattern 3x3, 4x4, 5x5 etc that way when the wind blows from any direction pollen from each plant will be carried around the grid. If you can't do this then use a paint brush to brush each of the tassles on the end of the cobs first appear.

Penelope_Penguin

I've grown corn for some years. I have a relatively sheltered garden, but have had no luck growing them in Yorkshire outside. I always put them into the polytunnel now.

Penny. x

mrs-moneypenny

my son got some sweetcorn seeds in a kit for his birthday at the mo he has 4 lovely healthy looking plants about 5inches tall in pots on the kitchen window sill. i was thinking when its warm enough i'll put them outside in grow bags with him but would they be better in tubs or the ground as they grow quite tall dont they? We havent got a veg garden so would they be ok in the flower bed along the bottom fence if they have to go in the ground?

thanks for any advice given

WestonDave

I'm growing them for the first time this year so I'm no expert - however yes they do grow pretty tall, and its also recommended that they are planted in groups rather than lines because they are wind pollinated. I'd guess therefore that maybe in tubs that you can form into a square until the cobs have set and then space out as you choose might be your best option.

(Mine are for my son as well - he loves it but I can barely stand to eat it hence why I've never grown it before!)

PZH

Growing them for the first time as well ( newbie with an allotment - lol ).

I did read that they don't like having their roots diturbed - so be gentle when you plant them out ( mine are in home made paper pots ).

As mentioned by WestonDave - plant them in groups if possible.

I chitted them first on some wet kitchen roll. Only four did not grow - so got stacks. They are currently just shooting ( about 1inch high ) and I put them out in the sun yesterday. I went to the garage to get a bit of mesh to put over them to keep the birds off - too late - within the space of 5mins a blackbird had snipped the tops off several plants. Still got plenty left - but was very annoyed - lol.

Marisan

Lots of people on my hubby's allotment site grow sweetcorn and I grow mine for myself and sister-in-law( hubby dislikes it) I grow in peat pots,as I can then put them directly into the ground as it is true that sweetcorn plants hate to have their roots disturbed. I live in the Midlands and do not plant out until end of May - sweetcorn need warmth and prefer to be in full sun. It is important to plant in blocks so that the wind can more easily pollinate the plants.

The plants do grow tall,and if the spot they are growing in is exposed it might even be necessary to stake them,but in sheltered spots they should be okay.
The growing plants do like plenty of water,very important in dry spells (assuming we get some) If you hoe around the plants to keep weeds down be very careful as the roots are shallow.When the cobs begin to swell a liquid feed is good idea - I use liquid Growmore.

Birds love sweetcorn so some netting or improvised bird scarers would be a good idea.Also,apparently,listening to some of my fellow gardeners,squirrels can strip a plant in minutes!:eek:

When you are ready to harvest a cob (usually July-Aug) carefully peel back the sheaf and with a nail squeeze a couple of grains.If the liquid which squirts out is watery the cob is not ready,the liquid should be creamy.

Sweetcorn are best eaten as soon as possible after picking as they do not store well (you can freeze if necessary.)

Enjoy.

666paw

Apologies for jumping in on this thread.

Does the same thind apply to baby sweetcorn, i.e creamy not watery and planting in blocks.

Thanks

P.