Author Topic: Sweet corn  (Read 5703 times)

Mrs Ava

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Sweet corn
« on: December 29, 2003, 01:51:40 »
I know it is early in the season to think about anything as tender as this, but I thought as things are still quiet, I could bother you all for lashings of advice!   ;D

I have never ever ever successfully grown corn on the cobs!  I would love to because the kids love it and I think they would get a kick out of picking it.

I follow the instructions on the packet religiously, but the plants never get any taller than about a foot, and then they stop and do nout!  They grow them around here in Essex as tall as can be covered in cobs!  What am I doing wrong?

A blow by blow account of what to do to get a successful crop please, ooooo and any recommendations of really good tastey ones.  (I think I have spelt most of those long words wrong but hey.....I'm amongs friends!)  ;D
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

tim

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2003, 09:17:54 »
Can't think why. Never had a problem.

We sow under glass and put it out late May in full sun. Shade will stunt it.  We use 5" deep 'root trainers' because it likes an unrestricted root system. Honey Bantam (a bi-colour) is our favourite.

Plenty of compost in the bed to conserve water. Earth up the roots as they develop. 18" apart in a 'box' - but that won't affect the growth.

The local stuff may be maize? Taller and more cobs? You would only expect 2--3 per plant. = Tim
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

Hyacinth

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2003, 11:29:24 »
EJ, can't give you any great advice - grew them for the 1st time this year - Kelvedon Glory - but I'm not growing them next, so....

was going to give the remaining seeds to the birds - so I'll put them in the post, then. Same difference, really..  ;) ;D ;D - Lish






« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

teresa

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2003, 11:52:42 »
I never had any luck before with it but this year while still digging lottie I got a strip of 10 plants from a garden centre and potted them up they grew great lost two plants.
So when the patch was dug planted the potted plants and they did good 3-4 good cobs per plant so for a strip which cost me a quid I was well chuffed.
Got to about 4ft high the flowering tassel looked lovely but cannot think what they were called trying seed this year. If that fails will go and buy a strip again One chap down lottie his was 6-7ft high but must be maize he never harvested his.
Some funny gardeners down our lotte
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

tim

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2003, 14:56:57 »
- but Lishka, we knew you were only doing it for decoration? = Tim
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

Hyacinth

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2003, 15:31:04 »
and lovely decorations they were, too,Tim - those tassels really deserve the name of 'silks'. But I'd planted the block in a part of the garden which never, ever gets watered - shrubberies & compost heap -  and I couldn't be bothered to haul 52 metres of hose out for 9 plants. They all grew well, but I presume that it was the complete lack of water in a hot, dry summer that made the corn look more like scabs of some dread disease rather than plump yellow things? And as for slathering them with butter - germolene would have been more appropriate :o

So, EJ, seeds have been posted - plant in a block and be kinder to them than I was ;D - Lishka
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

cleo

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2003, 19:53:34 »
and remember EJ,when you have those lovely tall plants with fat cobs pick them when the cobs are pale cream in colour-if you let them go further they will be nowhere near as sweet.

They are fairly `hungry` plants so the odd feed would not go amiss. what you use is up to you but I use fish,blood and bone when planting out and then a couple of liquid feeds of seaweed(maxicrop)

Stephan.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

Mrs Ava

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2003, 20:27:31 »
Thanks all, and cheers Lish, you wonder you!  :-*
I shall try try try again and see what happens and will follow all of your advice.
Basically, don't restrict roots when starting them off, plenty of water and feed them, plus earth up as they grow, and remember to grow them in full sun.  ;D  I will keep you all posted, and who knows, if successful, I shall be bragging with photos come the summer!
Thanks again chaps and chappesses, your knowledge and expertise knows no bounds!   ;D
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

markymark

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2003, 18:48:15 »
Hi EJ

I grew sweetcorn last year (Kelvedon Glory) in sunny Essex and had a fab crop, even the badgers nicked a few.....bloomin cheek.

I sewed them straight into the ground, which hadn't been previously worked for a good 10 years. Spaced them about 18 inches apart, and according to the packet needed to be planted in blocks for pollination...not sure whether you did this? They were also in full sun.

Gave them a lot of water, all the way through, but not sure whether this was right or not?

Plant's grew to about 5-6ft and cobs were between 8 and 10 inches. It's worth giving them another go, as I have never tasted anything as sweet as a cob cooked within 15 minutes of picking....to die for!

Good luck
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »
Greenman aka Markymark

Mrs Ava

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2003, 02:19:13 »
oooooo I am dead excited now!  Marky, you have made my mouth water.  I will have to get a gas stove down on the lottie so I can cook them as I pick them!  I shall try some directly into the ground, but I will start some off in pots too, just in case.  I have never had a lot of success sowing direct, but then my old family plot was solid clay and we never created a fine tilth for seed sowing.  My Essex plottie, well, puts my garden to shame!!!!!!!

« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

Muddy_Boots

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2003, 05:23:59 »
If you've access to well rotted manure, use plenty of it.  Sweetcorn loves it!
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:12 by -1 »
Muddy Boots

Doris_Pinks

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2003, 16:38:21 »
EJ do well with mine here in sunny Sussex! I start mine in pots, then move to a very well manured spot, I block plant them through weed suppressant membrane, water well, and often, and stand back! (think I grew supersweet last year) And yet again I didn't plant nearly enough!!
(I also grow my Pumpkins under them as they seem to enjoy each others company!)
Dottie P.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »
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The gardener

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2004, 18:37:34 »
Hi Emma,

My first reply to A4all just found the site and very interesting it seems too.

I concur with most of what the successful growers say; i.e. easy to grow but greedy.

If I were to add anything to what has been said it would be the secret is in the preparation, i.e. plenty off FYM or similar at the roots, it saves on the watering.

Another tip would be soak the seed overnight in water before sowing them in to pots.

I find vending cups with no bottoms satifactory, the roots have somewhere to go, if planting out is delayed, ( root trainers effectively, but cheaper)

This method certainly stops them curling around the bottom of the pot.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »


The Gardener

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2004, 18:51:20 »
Welcome to the site TG'r I see that you come from Gods own country.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »
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Steve__C

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2004, 23:27:54 »
Hi EmmaJane,
I also live in Essex... I probably grow those tall maize plants that you have seen.
I start my corns off in 3" pots in late March/early April in an unheated greenhouse. I then transfer into a sunny spot in a block last week in May, each plant 18" apart. I will plant about 50 plants in the block, but there is no need to grow this number as each plant gives 2 cobs.
They need to be in a block as they are wind pollinated.
Keep well watered.... weed free.... and in August you will be rushing to the kitchen with your perfect corn on the cob!
The variety that I grew last year was Kelvedon Glory. Produced by Kings who are based at Kelvedon near Colchester.
Hope you have better luck this year... the kids will love them dripping in butter.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »
Regards
Steve

The gardener

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2004, 13:15:46 »
I agree with Scatchpl and would add Sweet Nugget & Tasty Gold to his/her variety list.

Where I would differ is the sowing time due to the simple matter of geography. I live 900 ft above sea level on the side of the Pennines facing due East so last week in April, first week in May is my sowing time.

However, as I mentioned before, I soak mine and this allows me to catch up a bit, on those that can sow earlier.

Talking of Geography and how it affects our sowing/planting times I would be interested in your points of view on a 'Frost Zone' chart I have produced. It is on my website under'Zones'

Perhaps if anyone replies they could open a new thread and we could all take it from there.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »


The Gardener

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #16 on: January 02, 2004, 20:59:03 »
By the way I have now given myself a name.... Steve.
I've been working my allotment plot for about 5 years.
The reason I highlighted Kelvedon Glory was firstly my personal experience with the plant but also the 'local' connection to EmmaJane. I expect, although I can't be sure, the hybrid was developed at the nursery at Kelvedon.
Regarding the sowing time, I live on the north bank of the Thames estuary in Basildon Essex, its commonly recognised that we have a risk of frosts right thru' to the end May (week 21) . For delicates such as Sweet Corn I would not risk an earlier planting without cold frame/cloche protection.
Last year I did plant well established pot reared Marigolds etc in first week in May (week eighteen), but did lose some exposed plants to light frosts. These losses probably occured in week 19.

P.S. The Gardener.... I am impressed with the site.
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »
Regards
Steve

ina

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2004, 21:08:22 »
What about freezing excess corn? Anybody know if it's possible and if so, how? Blanch or not? -Ina
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

tim

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Re: Sweet corn
« Reply #18 on: January 04, 2004, 21:42:19 »
- some we do - some we don't - not much in it - never as good as fresh, but you can't win 'em all?

If blanched, theoretically they will store longer without deterioration.

I like them bottled - did a huge crop when the boys were 5-6ish - they got whooping cough and all they could eat was corn - the lot went in a week or so. = Tim
« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 by 1077926400 »

 

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