[Kleftiwallah]

Frost or no frost the sweetcorn HAS to go in today!    Now the question, planting in a block  (4 across X 10 deep)  the bed is orientated East - West.   I think the leaf orientation should be best when the leaves are at 90 degrees to the midday sun, so the leaves (across the stem) should lay South East to North West?

Over to you for your thoughts but make it fast, they're going in after this cuppa ! ! !    Cheers,    Tony.

[JayG]

First quick thought - don't understand the question at all! 

Second quick thought - I plant with the leaves facing upwards! 

[galen]

Do you know, never thought about it, mine just go in with no regard to orientation (except as JayG says, leaves facing up  ) and get at least 2 cobs per plant. May have to experiment this year, plant half North-South and half East-West to see if it makes any difference 

[Kleftiwallah]

And I thought you were sensible JayG  :happy:!  

The leaves on a sweetcorn plant grow from either side of the stem alternately, first left than right then left then right.  Looking down from the top you see leaves in line left and right.

To catch maximum sun, should the line of leaves be facing the midday sun for max' effect.

Cheers,   Tony.     Teas gone, they're going in.

[JayG]

Gosh! 

Mine will just be happy to see any sun - I'll let them do their own orienteering if they're up to it! 

[Kleftiwallah]

A picture paints etc etc.



Cheers,     Tony.

[Spana]

I'm one of those people who must have the design  on tea towels on a washing line all up the right way, the pattern on cushions must go the right way, not upside down and the leaves on sweet corn must all go the same way, to start off at least.  

I dont know if there are any benefits but as long as i have the first set of leaves on each plant in the same direction i'm happy. :happy:

Just seen the picture of your sweetcorn  Tony and I think they are a bit too close but that may be just the  photo. :)They're certainly better plants than mine so perhaps its the green haze i'm looking through

[Kleftiwallah]

With reference to your tea towels,  some while ago my wife (the memsahib) told me whenever I go into the pub, the first thing I do, after ordering a pint of wacky cider is to line up all the beermats on the bar!   Never noticed me doing that before ! ! !

Six inch apart (or thereabouts), I do tend to cram 'em in.  but have you seen the field sweetcorn?

Cheers,    Tony.

[Spana]

but have you seen the field sweetcorn?

Cheers,    Tony.

Yes they will be closer. They're grown as animal feed so they are not after big juicy cobs. The whole plant is ground up.

[GrannieAnnie]

I thought it was 18 inches apart for sweetcorn!

But yours do look nice and neat Klefti!!!!

[Thephoenix572]

I will have 19 to plant later in the month, how big a space will I need? Sorry if this hijacks the thread

[Spana]

I put them 18inches apart like Grannie :happy:

It not only gives the plant enough room to develop but as i have just 2 big beds, like an allotment not raised beds with paths around, it means i can get between the rows to weed. 

[GrannieAnnie]

I will have 19 to plant later in the month, how big a space will I need? Sorry if this hijacks the thread

About 6ft square?  put them in a block 4 x 5, shame you can't make it 20! 

[DD.]

18" apart for me.

I don't think sweetcorn gives two hoots about which way round it goes in. It's a flexible plant, it's orientate itself to where it wants to be.

I see enough faffing about with plants without more ideas!

[Thephoenix572]

I will have 19 to plant later in the month, how big a space will I need? Sorry if this hijacks the thread

About 6ft square?  put them in a block 4 x 5, shame you can't make it 20! 

I did have 20 but one has just come out of the toilet roll tube think small hands had a hand in it lol