sweet corn

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Azazello

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sweet corn
« on: April 21, 2011, 13:53 »
I'm going to grow some sweet corn this year - I know they need to be planted close together to help pollination but is there a minimum number that's needed too? I'm thinking about  10 - we want a good taste but don't want to end up with loads corn that we've not got round to eating.

Any tips on balancing the plants' needs against not wanting loads of the stuff?

Thanks in advance

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JayG

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2011, 14:06 »
Bear in mind you will do well to get more than 1 well-filled cob per plant.

I would suggest that anything less than 9 plants (3X3) is not really a "block" and would be unlikely to pollinate well.

Although there is no scope in this country for successional sweetcorn planting as such, I intend to sow two batches 2-3 weeks apart which will be planted next to each other, the hope being to extend the cropping period and also perhaps help the first batch to produce the elusive 2nd or even 3rd cob (but as ever it will be mostly down to the summer weather we get!)  :)
Sow your seeds, plant your plants. What's the difference? A couple of weeks or more when answering possible queries!

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LeeR

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2011, 14:11 »
There should be about 30cm between each plant and as Jay said they need to be in a block rather than in a line.  If you have too much to eat they freeze very well.

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Kristen

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2011, 14:12 »
I manage three batches, at fortnight internals. The final harvest is early part of September.

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Azazello

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2011, 15:19 »
great thanks people - three batches of 10 should be about right, especially if yields are on the low side. It#d be nice to eat some a couple of times a week over a couple of months.

we don't have a massive freezer, at least not yet, so freezing's not a current option.

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Rangerkris

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2011, 19:30 »
I sowed the whole packet as i never seem to get any thing back from them. Hahahaha i will give it one last try. I dont want any more tall plants with not return.  :lol:
Thanks
Kris

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gazza975526570

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2011, 21:34 »
I grew sweetcorn last year - 4 x 4 and all but 1 plant had 2 cobs on them. I thought this was standard but from this it seems not!

Hope im as lucky this year

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Gandan57

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2011, 22:53 »
gazza, we`re all dying to hear the secrets of your success. Could you outline your two cobs per plant programme?
I`m left handed, what`s your excuse?

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goose

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2011, 06:40 »
i normally get 2 good cobs per plant too ;).  i have tried staggering propogation with various types to attempt to get a steady flow of produce, but they all seem to be ready about the same time ::) ::)  the only part i have a problem with is freezing!  they are never fit to be eaten from the cob from the freezer, although as kernals they are OK.

Any tips to keep cobs good to eat from frozen would be really appreciated. :)

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gazza975526570

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2011, 07:54 »
gazza, we`re all dying to hear the secrets of your success. Could you outline your two cobs per plant programme?

Ha - wish there was a secret!!!  ;)

Started them off in cell modules and transpanted them a few weeks after germinating, As above 4 rows of 4 and i space them really well. Always kept weed free, didnt feed them at all through the summer but did keep them well watered.

Bet this year ill end with none! Ha!! :D

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Gandan57

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2011, 08:36 »
http://www.pickyourown.org/freezingcorn.htm

For you goose.  We are still eating frozen sweetcorn from 2009, didn`t grow any veg last year.

« Last Edit: April 22, 2011, 08:40 by Gandan57 »

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Kristen

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2011, 14:40 »
Might be variety related?  What varieties are you two-cob'ers growing?

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goose

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2011, 15:22 »
http://www.pickyourown.org/freezingcorn.htm

For you goose.  We are still eating frozen sweetcorn from 2009, didn`t grow any veg last year.



Thanks for that, some very useful tips on that site :)  i will test them out later in the season....hopefully  ::)

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mumofstig

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2011, 16:12 »
Jay, I think the sandy soil which we both have, may be the reason for only one cob per plant.
Corn is greedy and thirsty and it is difficult for us to get the soil how the corn likes it..that's my excuse, anyway :tongue2:

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Lardman

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Re: sweet corn
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2011, 16:16 »
Jay, I think the sandy soil which we both have, may be the reason for only one cob per plant.

Fraid not MoS - I grew some ( 16 in a 4x4 square) in 2009 and had 2 cobs per plant even in my sand pit.  :D Not had the room to grow any since though.



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