[montygti]

Can anyone help. I planted some corn in pots and it all came up and has grown to about 6-10cm. It then seems to rot where the plant goes into the compost and dies. Nearly everyone has done this. What is the problem? have i over watered, is the compost to wet, does the compost needs something in it so it doesnt stay too wet. Any help its been raking my brain all weekend.

[DD.]

You're very early for sweetcorn, mine is still in it's packet and will be remaining there for a while.

Two things - your rough location would help, perhaps you could put it into your profile and where are you growing your plants?

[Kleftiwallah]

"Damping off" 

go sparingly with the water next batch and try and keep the temperature stable.        Cheers,      Tony.

[Craig69]

Mine's in a propagator on the bedroom windowsill.
It's grown about 1.5 inch & I have not watered it since I planted the seeds on 1st April.
I have only just opened the vents on the propagator the other day & as it's getting warmer they will be going in the cold frame soon before planting out.
I do it this way each year & so far have never had a problem.

[love-my-plot]

Can I ask what variety you're all using?
I've never tried Sweetcorn .. might be tempted this year ....

[Craig69]

I'm using UNWINS "Supersweet" F1 Hybrid

[JayG]

Can I ask what variety you're all using?
I've never tried Sweetcorn .. might be tempted this year ....

Do NOT resist the temptation - I can't think of any other veg which is so much better freshly picked and cooked than anything you can buy in a supermarket! 

"Swift" and "Lark" are both bred for British conditions, and we don't seem to get many complaints about them on here - there are others of course, and all of them would benefit from a better summer than we've had the last few years. Don't get over-enthusiastic though and plant more than one variety because the odds are you will be disappointed with the results.

[love-my-plot]

Thanks for those, I'll get some on the go.

I've had to give growing and my allotment     the past 2 seasons due to other commitments etc ... can't wait to get back into it (on a smaller scale, back garden) and have had a sowing fest this past week ... to stop any more  withdrawl  symptoms   
Its felt great getting my hands back in the dirt, I didn't half miss it! I'd forgotten how exciting it is to see seeds pop their heads above the soil. LOVE IT! 

[NN2Blue]

Can I ask what variety you're all using?
I've never tried Sweetcorn .. might be tempted this year ....

Do NOT resist the temptation - I can't think of any other veg which is so much better freshly picked and cooked than anything you can buy in a supermarket! 

"Swift" and "Lark" are both bred for British conditions, and we don't seem to get many complaints about them on here - there are others of course, and all of them would benefit from a better summer than we've had the last few years. Don't get over-enthusiastic though and plant more than one variety because the odds are you will be disappointed with the results.

Lark for me; nice and early too! 

[catweazle]

Can I ask what variety you're all using?
I've never tried Sweetcorn .. might be tempted this year ....

Do NOT resist the temptation - I can't think of any other veg which is so much better freshly picked and cooked than anything you can buy in a supermarket! 

i agree its second only to fresh peas...  mmm fresh peas

[love-my-plot]

Sounds scrummy ... def sowing some 

[SnooziSuzi]

Don't get over-enthusiastic though and plant more than one variety because the odds are you will be disappointed with the results.

However, don't grow more than one variety within a close proximity of another variety as they are wind pollinated so if the pollen from the wrong variety gets on your silks (the soft stringy bits that stick out of the top of the unripe cob) they won't pollinate properly and you'll get nothing much.

I wouldn't advise having different varieties any closer than, say, 10-15 meters apart, depending on the windiness of your particular plot.

I'm putting Lark in this year as another plotholder always gets amazing results with his and I'm hoping to replicate his sucess :happy:

[DD.]

I think that's what JayG was saying.

It's not that they won't pollinate properly and you won't get much, but you're crossing two varieties, possibly both F1's and you could end up with something tough & indedible.

[JayG]

Can't always be too sure what I'm on about these days, but yes that was what I was trying to say DD (and hopefully SnooziSuzi was agreeing with me!)   

[SnooziSuzi]

Hehe, sorry; that's just me not properly reading what people have said....  I'll get me coat