Sweetcorn questions

[gary]

Can you grow sweetcorn and baby corn (minipop) next to each other or do they need to be separated.

I have read that they like shelter, but have also read they are wind pollinated?

Any pointers anyone?

Gary

[gary]

[Jeannine]

There are rules re corn Gary, sweet corn falls into 3 different catargories,and some will cross pollinate ,if they do both types become starchy, some baby corn can cross to the others so you need to know what corns are in your area,Seperating by a distance of 25 feet or a 10/15 day difference in maturity dates will prevent this.

XX Jeannine

[john-the-window]

Hi
3 things to remember

1  allways plant in blocks IE 4x4 5x5 6x6 and so on

2 Keep blocks as far apart as you can

3  look at your prevailing wind plant earlies down wind and late's upwind, this may help if space is very limited also you could plant runner beans to act as a wind break.

A tip for freezing cut clean and blanch in under 2 hours wrap each cob in cling film put into freezer then next day put into bags or containers.

[Jeannine]

Hi John, I have been growing  my own corn since sixties,in Canada, the US and in the UK. I grow about 200 plants each year, and I am not clear what you mean by keep the blocks as far apart as possibe,is this to do with cross pollination between types? ie, supersweets, sugar enhanced,original regular, if so the distances between  types and maturity dates between pollination  should be stated too as they are crucial to avoid the different types cross pollinating which would ruin both and the corn would be inedible, I think ground temps for supersweets is also vital for a novice to know as  is germinating/planting time due , corn is one veggie that does not benefit from early sowing in pots as it's internal clock will switch off growing if it doesn't move from pot to ground inthe required time, so starting time is also crucial.

The availability of varieties of corn in the UK is really in it's infancy and newbies thinking of  growing it need to be aware of the different types(not  just varieties) before they go shopping, they do also need to know what their neighbour is planning to grow if both are to get a good edible crop, especially as more people are growing it,

I did put a post on here about 2 weeks ago giving a thorough explanation of types, distances, soil temps, etc.


XX Jeannine

[jonny211]

corn is one veggie that does not benefit from early sowing in pots as it's internal clock will switch off growing if it doesn't move from pot to ground inthe required time, so starting time is also crucial.

I guess my first (and bonza) crop last year was a fluke, haha!

When is it best to sow in the greenhouse? I can't remember when I did so last year but I started some sweetcorn in a tray then planted into the ground and it took off like a rocket. The remaining plants I gave to my plot neighbours and theirs did very poorly. If only I took notes of when I planted and transplanted as I'd love to grow sweetcorn again this year.

Jon

[allaboutliverpool]

Keep everything well apart! I grew 48 sweetcorn plants last year and they all ripened at the same time. This year I planted in early March in the greenhouse and will have 16 at 4 weekly intervals.

[manicscousers]

mine are just beginning to show on the windowsill but they are for in the poly, will be sowing outdoor ones in april  :)

[saddad]

Not starting ours yet!
;D

[Jeannine]

Mine are not going to be done yet either thay get started  Mid May in 3 inch pots,( I never start in smaller containers and pot on like I do the toms) then three weeks later they go straight into the garden. I sometimes grow more than one variety but I will do an early, a middy and a later one (hat  is iffy in a poor summer)

Corn really prefers to be ground started, alwys did that in BC  but I can't do it in Hull .

Remember the supersweets need even more warm (wrinkled seed)

Good motto, if your corn seed is wrinkled it needs more heat.

XX Jeannine

[gary]

I remember your post Jeannine about starting them off three weeks before I was due to plant them so I not even thought about that yet. The reason for this posts is that I will be (hopefully) getting the other half of my plot started this weekend or early next and on my on plan 365a on paper I had planned to put both my beds for sweetcorn next to each other. Looks like I will writting plan 366 before any more digging takes place!

[sally_cinnamon]

Glad I didn't sow my sweetcorn seeds last night like I planned!  After reading this I think I will look into it a bit more.  I am planning on growing Minipop and Sundance. 
:)

[allaboutliverpool]

Sweetcorn takes about three months from planting to eating and in last years hot July I managed 11 weeks. This give you plenty of time to plant as late as mid May, but I like to gamble and have got a batch in already.
To see the 11 week proof, see my sweet corn page that I have added tonight.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_sweetcorn.html

[Marymary]

I'm also planning to grow Minipop & Sundance - first time I've grown Minipop but so many people here liked it I thought I'd give it a try.  I had planned to plant them in the same block.  Is this not a good idea?