[cadalot]

For the first year ever I have sown Lark sweet corn an absolutely none have germinated 
I previous years I may have had one of two not germinate but 24 
Anyone else having problems?

I will have to go and buy some more seeds but it will not be from unwins that's for sure.

[JayG]

I've found that the viability of both Lark and Swift declines markedly after a year, and it's also a possibility that 'packed in year ending' isn't the same thing as 'grown and packed in year ending', although I've no real evidence to support any doubts, least of all in respect of any particular supplier.

I had some leftover Earlibird seeds from last year (Wilcos) and some new ones from Premier seeds direct, and I chitted both lots between damp sheets of kitchen paper, and every single one germinated within 3 days!

You were undoubtedly unlucky - chitting new seeds will hopefully put your mind at rest and save a bit of time too (make sure you sow them as soon as you see the white roots emerge.)

[cadalot]

Hi JayG - sow by date was 2016 and coated with wonder gunk to aid germination so it says.

I have never had to chit sweet corn but this time maybe.....

[JayG]

My Premier Seeds had the pink gunk on, the Wilcos ones didn't - I believe it's a fungicide to reduce the chances of the seed rotting before it germinates.

Don't know where you bought your seeds from but seeds in GC's with glass roofs may have had a torrid time before you even opened the packet! 

[Goosegirl]

Oh Cadalot - that's a real blow for any sweet corn lover!  I bought both Swift and Lark this year and sowed two to a pot then picked out the weakest or smallest one. That way it also means that if any don't germinate I still have backups. Mine were from D.T.Browns and I had about 95% germination rate. Previously I've also had a good germination rate from older seeds so haven't a clue as to what is happening. I used Verve like I did last year and the texture was good but maybe not as much nutrient in it for potting-on; there again, seeds don't want much nutrient to germinate. I don't chit either. Um?? 

[chillimummy]

I also had nil germination from mine too. Last years seeds too but in date. Good to know that not too late to resow. Will definitely chit them too 

[DD.]

If you need more seed, may I suggest Moles Seeds. You will need to bump the order up to a minimum of £7.50, but there will be no postage.

250 seeds of Lark = £3.00

DT Brown 35 = £1.99 + 95p post = £2.94.

So for an extra 6p you get 215 more seed! You can afford to sow plenty of spares to be safe at that rate, although I've always found their germination rates to be excellent.

http://www.molesseeds.co.uk/flower_and_vegetable_seed_store_uk/Products_F1_Lark_4147.html#aVSW064_20_2001

[cadalot]

Thanks DD that looks like the place to get sweet corn seeds in the future

Chillimummy - at least we both know we are not alone

[kermit]

I have had similar problem. For first time this year I was deliberately frugal on the seed orders and, since I had lots of lark left from last year didn't order any, and they were in date too 

Only about 6 have come up so not enough, but they are strong plants. I also don't have long summer up here usually so prob don't have time to re order and re sow. Might try and find seedlings in local garden centre, but will prob be different variety, not sure if that matters, but unlikely to polinate at same time!

[JaniceB]

I chitted for the first time this spring and had an alarmingly good germination rate. They were Special Swiss from Real Seeds. I am not here to gloat by the way: since their vigorous germination, they have been hit by snail and slugs!

If it's not one thing, it's another...

[engineer]

I have had problems with germination in the past, so this year I bought a cheapo propagator nothing fancy, electric, no thermostat, constant heat between 19-21 degs, put sweet corn in dish lined with wetted paper towel, they germinated within 36hrs, did a similar thing with runner beans in module tray, all up within 72hrs. Best thing I have bought in years.

[chillimummy]

Thanks DD that looks like the place to get sweet corn seeds in the future

Chillimummy - at least we both know we are not alone

Cadalot
Last year my whole crop of sweetcorn was eaten and this year nil germination. 
Think will try again this year and hope for an actual crop 

[cadalot]

Squirrels ate half of my crop last year  someone suggested putting a pop bottle over the cobs once they have been fertilised to protect them   

[LotuSeed]

I have had similar problem. For first time this year I was deliberately frugal on the seed orders and, since I had lots of lark left from last year didn't order any, and they were in date too 

Only about 6 have come up so not enough, but they are strong plants. I also don't have long summer up here usually so prob don't have time to re order and re sow. Might try and find seedlings in local garden centre, but will prob be different variety, not sure if that matters, but unlikely to polinate at same time!

Flint/Dent and popcorn varieties are dominant over sweet corn.
Yellow coloring is dominant over white. If you're planting two varieties of sweet corn they should ideally be of the same "sweetness". You can try sowing them with a two week gap between sowing, but if both still happen to be in tassel at the same time then they are likely to cross pollinate (if they're not spaced a significant distance apart)

[cadalot]

THERE ALIVE!!!

Ok having sowed the sweet corn and nothing happening for 14 days I condemned them as a failure because historically Lark had always germinated for me in about 3-4 days. Yesterday two little shoots and today 5 out of the two trays.... perhaps the cold nights in the outside greenhouse knocked them back a little?

There was no germination period stated on the packet, however the new corn I picked up "Swift F1" says 7-21 days so perhaps I was just impatient historically having such quick germination 

Now, I've chitted the new seed (never done that before) and they have grown within 2 days!, but is what I'm seeing the root OR the stem of the corn - in other words which way up do I sow then  I'm guessing its the stem but I would have to get it wrong and sow them upside down