[ruffmesiter_69]

Hi there,

harvested the first of our sweetcorn and noticed that not all the kernals have formed on the cob. We believe this to be an issue with the cob not being properly fertilized.



Are we correct in the diagnosis? Have you had similar issues if so what have you done to stop this? Are yours better or perfect this year.

Also this week, first full carrot harvest, beetroots coming out of our ears, also with runner beans.

Regards
Lottieblogs

[DD.]

Hi there,

harvested the first of our sweetcorn and noticed that not all the kernals have formed on the cob. We believe this to be an issue with the cob not being properly fertilized.

Regards
Lottieblogs

It certainly looks that way.


BTW, I like this bit from your blog regarding the problem:

With this in mind we shook the other pants onto the freshly formed cobs to ensure this doesn’t happen on the rest of the crop, fingers crossed!

Oh what visions that conjures up!

[fatbelly]

Is there a way to fertilise sweetcorn plants manually ensuring a better crop?

[GrannieAnnie]

Yeah, shake em like anything!!  The male bits are in the flower at the top, but I've never actually done it myself,  so not sure WHEN you do it.  Just as the cob is forming?  I'm sure there will be a corn expert along shortly to put us right!!!

[Aunt Sally]

And don't forget to plant your corn in a square block rather than in rows to aid wind pollination  :!:

[GrannieAnnie]

oh yeah, forgot to mention that one Aunty

[DD.]

And don't forget to plant your corn in a square block rather than in rows to aid wind pollination  :!:

Knew I'd gone wrong some where. Mine are in a 5 x20 rectangle.

[ruffmesiter_69]

COOL, i think a square could be used, next year last year we had no issues.

[milkman]

I think it's all down to the very damp wet weather we had this year - a lot of the pollen will have simply got washed straight down the stalks of the plants leaving much less to be blown about in the wind to reach the tassels.  

Last year when I gave my plants a good flick, the pollen was flying off in clouds of dust, this year was quite different - it was just too wet.

[digital_biscuit]

i have also heard on radio 2's gardening dude that they are not being pollinated due to the rubbish weather! roll on droughts next year!

[Lesley Jay]

The variety of sweet corn being grown on the blog is Minipop and this should be picked as soon as the tassles / silks appear, before the sweet corn is pollinated. It is that tiny corn that is used in stir fries. It can be planted in rows, not blocks, as it doesn't need to be pollinated.

[yummy]

Some of ours have the same problem. We planted in a block but didn't know about the shaking - will do that next year.

[Aunt Sally]

I just let the wind shake mine  :roll:

[DD.]

I just let the wind shake mine  :roll:

We were talking about sweetcorn, Aunty. :oops:

[Aunt Sally]

:shock: And so is Aunty  :!: