[Goosegirl]

If I plant both types in my greenhouse bed and they cross-pollinate, will they be undistinguishable in habit and taste or should I plant one variety inside and the other outside? I'm thinking the latter but would appreciate your advice.

[Hampshire Hog]

Interesting question! Had a quick Google and came up with suggestion that if you want to avoid cross pollination you need to have plants approx 200 feet apart. This is a challenge I would suggest on an allotment as you can't avoid the next plot holder having their sweet corn of whatever variety within 200 feet of your plants. I found the question interesting as I had two packs of sweet corn I wasn't sure how many viable seeds I had in each. Main point seems to be that if plants mix pollen one will dominate with yellow dominating white. Must confess though I think most UK sweet corn is yellow.
Be interested to see what others think I have grown corn on the allotment apparently close to others but not noticed an issue.

Cheers HH

[Annen]

It is my understanding that you only need to worry about cross pollination if you going to save the seed for next year.  Is it different for corn/maize?

[BabbyAnn]

It is my understanding that you only need to worry about cross pollination if you going to save the seed for next year.  Is it different for corn/maize?

Unlike most vegetables such as a fruiting one like a tomato or pepper, the fruit is from seed pollinated the year before whereas sweetcorn are the actual seeds from that season, and there is the danger of cross pollination affecting flavour.  It is my understanding that the supersweet and sugar enhanced are at risk of turning starchy rather than sugary sweet.

[Baldy]

I *think* you'll be ok (for taste) as both varieties are tendersweet.
You tend to get bitterness when you sow e.g a tendersweet and a supersweet variety close together.

Having said that...
                           what do I know? 

Pip pip,
Balders

[Goosegirl]

Ah - I knew there was something that you shouldn't plant together in the same vicinity. So you do know a lot my dear friend! 

[Baldy]

 

Perhaps *I think* I think I know a lot... 

Pip pip,
Balders

[Goosegirl]

Some people thinks I knows a lot sometimes - then I get asked to go on a pub quiz.  Trouble is I collect knowledge about trivia rather than current affairs, but I can redeem myself on the odd occasion. A sweet corn-shaped chocolate will soon wing its way to you, and many thanks for your info!