I have rather stupidly mixed up my sweetcorn plants I grew indoors from seed >:(
I can't really tell which are which - should I scrap them and start again? Am gutted as after what appeared to be a stunt in growth, they have gone nuts again recently and are now almost a foot high!!
But if its going to be a waste of time, I'd rather start over
Thanks!
I'd be interested in knowing the answer to this. I have sown 2 types of sweetcorn and was going to plant them next to each other. Is this a bad idea?
I grew two sorts last year, half my first sowing failed and i could'nt get the same variety to replant. Did'nt notice to much difference - a few that did'nt pollinate properly and a few that were overipe when the rest were just right, but this probably had nothing to do with the mixed sowing.
should not be a problem. let them grow
It would be a problem only if the two types of corn are from different types(not varieties) Some types don't mix.If you can tell me what the names of your corn are I can tell youXX Jeannine
I'm growing three sorts, incredible, swift & some white maize from the pass the parcel. What do I do now?
I grow three varieties of the same type (i.e. extra sweet) every year and I haven't noticed any difference!
jeanine
could you tellif i can plant mine out together, ther are jubilee and butterscotch cheers
Incredible,Butterscotch and Swift have the sugar enhanced gene (se family) they are OK together.
Jubilee is a supersweet(sh2 family)
Jubilee will cross with all of the above,and both types will be affected,they will be starchy. Separate them by 25 feet and you will be OK. If you know the maturity dates you are safe if they pollinate with at least 15 days difference too.
I do not know the White Maize one,if you can tell me a bit more about it, eg if an old heirloom one I can still help you.
If you want a selection of corns buy the seeds from all the same family, they may cross but it will not affect the quality of the corn this season.
Families of sweetcorn are:
Su.. this is Hybrid sweets,separate from Supersweets only
Se.. this is Sugar Enhanced separate from Supersweets only
OP. Sweets, usually the heirlooms, not hybrids separate from Supersweets on
Sh2. Separate from everything not in it's own family
Note, Ornamental corn and Popcorns need to be separated from all others above but can be mixed with each other.
Baby corn (usually regular corns picked immature) can go with anything as long as you pick it before it pollinates, eg no later than 3 days after showing silk. You can remove the male tassel up top but in can still be pollinated by a nearby corn so is still vulnerable. If left to mature it will grow full size and the rules above will still apply.
It seems complicated,but if you find out the family it need not be, and most seed companies say so in their ads.
XX Jeannine
Understand the theory of this, but surely, if different sweetcorn types (grown close together) are allowed to cross pollinate, surely in most cases the difference will not be noticeable? Maybe in half a dozen kernels per cob, but I can't see how the whole cob would be affected?
HI J,
I currently have 8 of each of the following growing
Sweetcorn - Popcorn
Sweetcorn - bloody butcher
Sweetcorn - F1 Applause
Sweetcorn - Golden Bantam
Sweetcorn - Mini Pop
Sweetcorn - Sweet Sensation
So i need to grow the popcorn and mini corn elsewhere and maybe split the rest into 2 blocks one being the F1 applause and the sweetsensation and the rest in the other block?
They are all in the same tray is that a problem of is this only a polination issue???
Cambourne7
Hi Jennym, I can only tell you what I have always been taught about growing corn.
Wether or not the whole cob would be affected or just a few kernels I frankly don't know, so you may well be right,but for me personally if a few kernels tasted starchy the whole cob would be ruined. To my taste crossover corn is like eating corn that is a week old,much like the old cattle maize, I have had a few ears over the years and it was not nice.
I remember when I first started growing corn in the late 60s and it was terrible stuff with ears half full. In those days most people in the UK thought it was only fit for cattle. Then I moved to North America and corn became a passion along with a couple of other things.I have tried to stay up to date but I am not infallible by any means.
I would think there is a lot of info on the net if someone wants more than basics.
XX Jeannine
Hi Cambourne, your Bloody Butcher and Golden bantam are old Open Pollinated corns, they will be happy together. They have lovely old fashioned taste but bear in mind they don't keep sweet off the plant and should be cooked straight away.
Applause and Sweet Sensation are both Supersweets so they will be Ok together
but put some space between the two blocks. They have a good shelf life.
The supersweets should pollinate first,it is about 90 days from transplanting, Bloody Butcher is about 10 days later.
The two Supersweets might pollinate ahead of the other two ,they often do but I am not certain,I do know Jubilee is about the same as Golden Bantam.
You might get more help looking them up on the net by harvest dates ,I am only quoting you the ones I am sure about and the days to maturity are US based,they may take a week longer here,but it is relative.
I am not very familiar with the popcorn and mini varieties so can't help you much on those maturity dates
XX Jeannine
Hi Jeannine
I've got Applause F1, Supersweet, Sweet Nugget and Minipop
What should be grown with what? Didn't realise there was a potential problem!!
Cherry
I am sorry Cherry I am not familiar with Sweet nugget,you will have to check the net to find it.s family XX Jeannine
Quote from: Jeannine on May 12, 2007, 09:45:14
It would be a problem only if the two types of corn are from different types(not varieties) Some types don't mix.If you can tell me what the names of your corn are I can tell youXX Jeannine
Hi Jeannine, that would be really helpful of you - I have Ambrosia F1 and Swift F1 growing
xx
Hi, Swift and Ambrosia are both Sugar Enhanced so they will be OK together XX Jeannine
You're doing a wonderful job there Jeannie, you could get on Mastermind, specialist knowledge "Sweetcorn" :D
No I couldn't I have a sweetcorn growers manual from the US XX Jeannine
Sweetcorn sowing is on the agenda today, though i already started Strawberry popcorn things for growing somewhere in the back garden. I think the "normal" sweetcorn is Golden Bantam (though would have to check to be certain) which would be grown down the allotment.
One year, the first of the allotment, we grew sweetcorn - perfect except that all the cobs were ready at the same time. They didn't make it off the plot - munched about 8 cobs or so there and then! Not had a crop like it since.
this link will explain the problems related to corn crossing in sugar type and color crossing.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/90-126.htm
Rosyred,weedgrower,sweetpea,cambourne.....
The article linked above is designed for commercial growers,it is an excellent one if you wish to learn more about corn BUT.... do not panic about the suggested isolation distances shown, this is commercial growing where literally hundreds of plants are grown in a field,there is more pollen around and consequently has the ability to seriously affect another corn type, it is also possible that a farmer would sacrifice his outside rows in our situation that is not possible as it would be half our harvest.
In a garden or lottie situation trust me the isolation distances I gave you are perfectly acceptable.
Enjoy your corn XXXX Jeannine