Why are my Sweetcorn tassels brown already?

[skyblu]

It's my first year growing sweetcorn and I believe that the corn is just about ready for picking when the tassels turn brown and a milky liquid is released on pressure from a thumbnail to the kernels.  But my tassels are turning brown and dry already....the plants are beautifully healthy and the cobs swelling well but I am sure they can't be anywhere near ready yet!

So what is going on? why turning brown so early?  I take it this can't be usual or it wouldn't be one of the signs to look out for....

[skyblu]

[saddad]

The browning is because they are dieing off, having pollinated the grains... some modern varieties are quite quick to produce cobs. Mine haven't even put out tassles yet...  :-\

[PurpleHeather]

It is the spider syndrome. Once the male has done his bit he dies off so the female can get the nourishment and produce.