[Salmo]

Virtually all of my sweetcorn has two tillers coming out of the bottom. Should these be removed or left? They seldom produce worthwhile cobs but do they contribute to the main plant?

[Annen]

I wondered that too, all mine have sideshoots,(I didn't know they were called tillers).  I'll be interested in any replies.

[Goosegirl]

It appears that is a normal development of the plant and may also indicate favourable growing conditions. Mine have them and I've never removed tham.

[mumofstig]

I leave them on - they may even produce late tassels to help with  pollination of lower cobs.

[Nikkithefoot]

Mine usually get one or two towards the end of the season, but this year there are loads of them.

[brianbishop]

I wonder if it's due to temperature variations. Since I've  had my polytunnel(4yrs) the corn I grow inside has always grown tall (6ft) and a single stem, whilst the outside corn has been short (4ft) and tillered.
Bish

[surbie100]

Lots of tillers on the go here, the corn is SO much better than last year's disappointment. I leave them on . Sometimes you get a small extra cob off them.

[Fairy Plotmother]

I came home from fairyland with this exact question. All my corn plants have tillers ( I didn't know about these) on them. Having read here I think I will leave them on. I worry about disease getting in if plants are chopped about!

[Goosegirl]

I wonder if it's due to temperature variations. Since I've  had my polytunnel(4yrs) the corn I grow inside has always grown tall (6ft) and a single stem, whilst the outside corn has been short (4ft) and tillered.
Bish

Some of mine are in my greenhouse and have tillers on and always have done, so no worries!

[Hampshire Hog]

Mine are almost all putting out tillers I like others didn't know their name till told by an fellow allotmenter.

Cheers HH

[Goosegirl]

I don't know if it's the same thing, but lawn grass puts out side-shoots called tillers in autumn so they can spread. Maybe it's just another name for side-shoots.

[mumofstig]

Well, corn/maize is in the grass family, so it does makes sense to use the grass sideshoot word