[Mum2mj]

Hi everyone, I was given 2 packets of sweetcorn that couldn't be grown together (I'm growing in sectioned bit at back of garden so not a massive space) so I gave one away, and out of my packet I have ONLY 2 SEEDLINGS!!!!!  
Shall I just compost them? I know they need to be grown in blocks, had hoped for 16 seedlings   Is it too late to buy & sow some more?
I have some mini sweetcorn seeds that I could use instead but these need to be picked before pollination ideally so presumably I shouldn't sow these in blocks? Advice welcomed please!
Many thanks

[catweazle]

sow some more theres still time, just

[bazh]

You've got time to sow some more if you want, your right the mini corn doesn't need to be in blocks.

Before you sow your corn try soaking the seeds overnight it'll aid germination some people chit them but it's to much faff for me soaking works just fine.

[Kajazy]

I had exactly the same situation last year, so this year I chitted the seeds first (just between 2 layers of damp kitchen paper, inside a sealed plastic box in the airing cupboard) - I did this on Tuesday of last week, it took 2 days for the little shoots to appear and I planted them straight away, and now 27 out of the 28 I planted are growing away nicely, at around 3 inches high. Keep them warm after sowing too - they like the warmth! And you've still got time...

[sowitgrowit]

I have 20 at about 3 to 4 inches tall and recently decided I might as well have a few more, so I'm chitting 25 more. A few may go to waste but I thought there was probably time for them to just shout catch up if they catch the good weather. I hope to pop them into card tubes later or tomorrow, assuming there are some shoots!

[BabbyAnn]

I've only just sown my sweetcorn and they are starting to germinate in the greenhouse (the sunny weather really boosted the temperature in the greenhouse  )  Normally you could sow sweetcorn direct outside anytime in May but it's been unseasonally chilly this year.  Definitely try again!

[Mum2mj]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I actually sowed the first half which did nothing so I chitted the other half, of which about 70% got shoots although they all seemed to have a little mould on..which I rubbed off, & planted into toilet rolls (which I think was another of my problems)
I was given the seeds and they were out of date (which I know isn't usually a problem) I have no idea how they were stored though so I'm really hoping they were just a dodgy pack & it has nothing to do with my growing skills, hehe.
I usually grow mini corn which is really easy but I never seem to harvest them in time & they get too big.  I am now completely undecided as to whether to try the sweetcorn again or go for the minicorn  :blink:

[JayG]

Don't know whether it applies to other varieties, but I have noticed that F1 sweetcorn seeds seem to lose their viability quite quickly, and last year I had a "fresh" packet that I suspect contained seeds not as described (germination only about 20%) 

Back to normal this year, nearly 100%, but I have been converted to pre-chitting, if only for sweetcorn seeds!

[Plottered]

I chitted some last Monday in container which i place in the airing cupboard....totally forgot about them till Friday and Im now the proud owner of these



I doubt I can use these but hoping someone will tell me I can

[DD.]

I'd give them go.

But be gentle!

[JayG]

At least there will be no doubt which way up to plant them! 

[Plottered]

They seem to have some sort of a black dusty growth round the seeds though so possibly they have started to get diseased or rotting....I think I might give it a miss and chit some more....I'll keep them in mid this time.

[Mum2mj]

They seem to have some sort of a black dusty growth round the seeds though so possibly they have started to get diseased or rotting....I think I might give it a miss and chit some more....I'll keep them in mid this time.

Mine had the same black mouldy stuff 

[Mum2mj]

Don't know whether it applies to other varieties, but I have noticed that F1 sweetcorn seeds seem to lose their viability quite quickly, and last year I had a "fresh" packet that I suspect contained seeds not as described (germination only about 20%) 

Back to normal this year, nearly 100%, but I have been converted to pre-chitting, if only for sweetcorn seeds!

That's interesting they are an F1 variety (can't find the packet & can't recall the name unfortunately)  what would you recommend as a reliable germinator?

[JayG]

Don't know whether it applies to other varieties, but I have noticed that F1 sweetcorn seeds seem to lose their viability quite quickly, and last year I had a "fresh" packet that I suspect contained seeds not as described (germination only about 20%) 

Back to normal this year, nearly 100%, but I have been converted to pre-chitting, if only for sweetcorn seeds!

That's interesting they are an F1 variety (can't find the packet & can't recall the name unfortunately)  what would you recommend as a reliable germinator?

Until last year I would have said they are all reliable geminators - I won't "name and shame" the brand of seed which was duff last year as it may have  been a "one-off" so instead I'll just say that Sutton's Swift F1 are the ones which have germinated well this year (Lark F1 is another similar, and popular, choice, although there are plenty of others deemed suitable for our short summers.)