Sweetcorn

[anemone]

I sowed 20 sweetcorn in a bed outside and none showed up ! It's my first time trying this and I didn't protect them so I guess they got eaten.

I have only 5 at home as 'spares' germinated on the windowsill. I've been to the 3 local garden centres and they've all sold out of the same variety.

So should I -
buy a different variety and plant altogther? I've read there's problems with cross-pollinating but what does that mean?
buy a different variety - use them and try to give away the 5 'spares'?

Am I too late to sow seeds anyway and should be looking for plants? There didn't seem to be many healthy looking plants around either but I really don't want to give up on the sweetcorn yet !

[anemone]

[cambourne7]

whats the variaty as someone on here might have extra seeds?

I would be careful of buying another type as some dont go very well together.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've had similar results from sowing outside, and gave it up long since. I plant in April, in a mini-greenhouse. I usually get good results, but this year I got pretty poor germination from Northern Extra Sweet.

[saddad]

We always sow indoors... never even tried direct. Ovation have done well for us...  :-\

[Hex]

I did a direct sow early june last year, covered the soil over each seed with a jamjar and they all germinated ok and grew on well once the jar was removed. 

[anemone]

Do you think it's too late to sow now and I should buy plants? The variety was 'Applause'.

At least I have 5 I guess :) they will look so lonley in that big bed though!

[cambourne7]

Not to late, I had some applause seeds will check to see if i have any more seeds left.

[anemone]

Thank you cambourne7 that's really kind but i did manage to find some in the end ! Just sowed at home today, I hope they go okay!

[alipally]

I always chit mine on first between kitchen paper in a warm dark place for 5 - 7 days then plant direct, they are about 6 inches high now. Might be worth trying.
Ali

[anemone]

Ok, i've just put some more seeds between some kitchen paper. Fingers crossed :)

[N8R]

i all ways use super sweet f1 varieties very easy to germinate and most produce good ripe crops   maybe too late to use seeds now  n8r.....

[carolinej]

I had virtually no germination on one lot of sweetcorn. I sowed again yesterday.

I thought it would be worth the risk of a pack of seeds. Here's hoping ;D

cj :)

[daileg]

i grew in three inch pots in a cold greenhouse lost one only i gave away about a dozen should of asked caroline allways got spares of everything can never be too carefull

like my cucembers thought i was clever sowed 32
32 germinated didnt expect that at all now some need new home

[Barnowl]

32 seeds sown in root trainers at the w.e.,  in the GH but with bottom heat set at 20 degC. Only approx 10 each of Double Standard, Sundance and Honey Select (courtesy of Jeannine) but 100% germination.

I start the potting soil quite wet (my equivalent of pre-soaking) but then leave them unwatered until it's clear the soil is getting too dry.

[Smileyk]

I just stick them in a pot in the greenhouse and they all grew.  Planted some more about 2 weeks ago and half of them had got wet and were mouldy - but they all grew except for one!  :o