Sweetcorn question

[ellkebe]

I only managed to get 6 of my sweetcorn successfully into the ground, but have got a few more just starting in reserve.  The ones that are out are already in flower, and I've realised that two sets of three do not a block make - but two rows!  Any advice on whether they will successfully wind-pollinate or whether I should be doing something - what?! - to help the process.

Feel pretty silly about this as I've read loads of posts here talking about block planting but I expected more to survive transplanting in order to give me a block!

Any advice gratefully received - especially the sort that reassures me that it'll all be ok and they'll pollinate just fine without any interference  :)

[ellkebe]

[Merry Tiller]

They should be fine, give them a shake now and then to get the pollen moving

[ellkebe]

See, this is why I love this site - prompt advice, and reassuring  ;D
Thanks Merry Tiller.

[Lizard Man]

A 2x3 sowing is a block. So should be fine (especially with a bit of shaking!)

[littlegem]

ellkebe, mine too did the same, planted out a block of 12 and only six have come up trumps. have planted courgettes inplace of the ones that didnt take so havent wasted space, but will be out there with a brush and a sturdy shake to make sure i get those scrummy sweetcorn on my bbq

[moonbells]

I only managed to get 6 of my sweetcorn successfully into the ground, but have got a few more just starting in reserve.  The ones that are out are already in flower, and I've realised that two sets of three do not a block make - but two rows!  Any advice on whether they will successfully wind-pollinate or whether I should be doing something - what?! - to help the process.
<snip>

Gosh - in flower already!? Where are you? Mine are currently about 6" high and just starting to fatten up at the bases.  Though I have got 45 of them...  20 full size and the rest minicorn.

moonbells

[shaolin101]

I only had space for 5 so planted them like a 5 on a dice - one in each corner and one in the middle - hopefully it will work!

[Justy]

mine were in 'rows' in a 4 ft wide bed last year and they did great so dont worry!

[clairenpaul]

Ours are the same Moonbells - we're getting a bit worried about them because they just won't seem to grow.

you may not have many Ellkebe but at least they are growing  ;D A friend of ours grew 4 in a row last year and did ok, and the chap whose allotment backs on to ours has planted his in a row so i'm sure yours will be fine - just keep shaking them  :)

[Mrs Ava]

Ours are only a foot or so tall, but they have really started to thicken up and look healthy, AT LAST!  I won't expect to see mine in flower for a long while yet!

[Debs]

Well I won't be seeing anything on mine if I don't plant the seeds !!!

MUST do so tonight

[ellkebe]

Thanks everyone  :)  Though now, of course, I'm worried that they've come on too early  ;D   

I was thinking I might try to get some more started, but was worried about whether they'd grow and ripen in time. What do people think?

Little Gem - sorry if it's a dumb question, but what's the brush for!?!

[littlegem]

ellkebe, cos, my sweetcorn are quite a dsitance apart due to not all of them growing. there wont be enough touching for them to pollinate, that why you have them in blocks so the wind make them brush against each other. so like you do with squashes and stuff, to be sure of fruits i'm going to try a big soft brush and go over my remaining corn every now and again.!!
if anybody knows that this wont work, please let me know so i dont have to bother!!