[rhythmvick]

Hey all,

Just wondered if anyone could answer this question? I planted some sweetcorn seeds in peat modules, so they can go straight into the ground, pot and all. But I also planted some in trays so they'll need to be transplanted. A friend said yesterday that sweetcorn are very unhappy about anything touching their roots, so will they be ok when they're moved?

Thanks in advance 

[Rampant_Weasel]

i grew m ine in 3.5 inch pots last year and then transplanted and they grew perfectly so dont worry too much

i only read about the non like of root disturbance after they had sprouted so i just took extra care when emptying the pot.

[min200]

I grow mine in paper pots and just plant the whole thing!!!

[mumofstig]

I grow mine in paper pots and just plant the whole thing!!!

snap but that doesn't help rhythmvick much does it?

If I were you I would move the ones in the seed tray into either peat/paper/bigger pots soon, before the roots hit the bottom of the tray.

[prakash_mib]

Hey all,

Just wondered if anyone could answer this question? I planted some sweetcorn seeds in peat modules, so they can go straight into the ground, pot and all. But I also planted some in trays so they'll need to be transplanted. A friend said yesterday that sweetcorn are very unhappy about anything touching their roots, so will they be ok when they're moved?

Thanks in advance 

sweetcorns already? are you too early or I am late?

[mumofstig]

about now is right prakash, for us down south  

I potted mine into paper pots today after chitting for 2 days, same time as last year

[MoreWhisky]

I will be chitting mine next week,  then in root trainers to then go out under a 2l pop bottle for a week or 2.  With a weekly feed (tues) of comfrey tea.  Normally get 3 full cobs per plant to )

[Dave f]

I put mine in small pots last year and didn't take particular care when planting them out .  They all did fine.  Probably a case of ignorance is bliss!  Dave F

[rhythmvick]

Yes, yes, next year I shall be a clever bean too and plant mine in paper pots  However, this year I'm just going to have to problem-solve... Thank you all for your advice

I'm with Mumofstig, the weather down here is alright for sweetcorn this early. They were started off on the bedroom windowsill in food-baggies to act as a mini-greenhouse. When they broke through, I took the bags off and they seem happy enough basking in the sun on the sill.

A friend of mine started her sweetcorn off about three weeks before me and is already hardening off outside. Haven't got the nerve for that 

[JayG]

Make sure the peat pots are completely buried when you plant them out otherwise you may find they don't get sufficiently wet to rot down which will inhibit the roots (I use paper pots now but when I did use peat pots I used to cut down one side of the pot with scissors before planting out to help the roots escape as I often found a considerable percentage of the pot was still intact even at the end of the growing season!)

As for when to plant out, check the forecast for next week in you area; night frosts early next week here which would be certain curtains for sweetcorn!!   

[digalotty]

whenever i use the peat pots now i poke holes alround with a small knife so that the roots can escape easier , does anyone else do this , and i will plant my sweetcorn in two weeks when i get back.

[rhythmvick]

I've been cutting my peat pots down as far I can before setting them in the soil, but I'll be poking holes in them as well now - good idea!! 

[sonic]

I can't understand why there's any need to be precious about sweetcorn.  I've grown it for years.  Start it off in plastic pots in the greenhouse.  When I've got some healthy looking stalks leave outside to harden off for a couple of days then bang into the ground with no special TLC.  Plenty of juicy cobs.  The only problem that I ever have is that they always seem to be ready for picking when I'm away on my two week summer holiday at the end of august, regardless of when I've planted them.  Is there any way of slowing the ripening process down?   

[stompy]

I grow mine in cell trays and water well just before transplanting.
I never give them any other TLC and usually get between 2 and 3 cobs per plant.
Just remove any extra cobs so the 2 that are left get all the neutrients 

[maxie]

I can't understand why there's any need to be precious about sweetcorn.  I've grown it for years.  Start it off in plastic pots in the greenhouse.  When I've got some healthy looking stalks leave outside to harden off for a couple of days then bang into the ground with no special TLC.  Plenty of juicy cobs.  The only problem that I ever have is that they always seem to be ready for picking when I'm away on my two week summer holiday at the end of august, regardless of when I've planted them.  Is there any way of slowing the ripening process down?   
Mine are always ready early sep and we eat them through to late sep but i ama lot further north than you,i dont put mine in the ground till the end of may.