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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: jo9919 on September 06, 2007, 09:11:34

Title: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: jo9919 on September 06, 2007, 09:11:34
I've got some great cobs on my sweetcorn, just waiting for them to ripen now. They look lovely, well, apart from all the blackfly on them  :o  Is this usual?

What do I do to get rid of blackfly?

Thanks,
Jo.
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: SMP1704 on September 06, 2007, 09:35:37
Are you sure it's blackfly?  more likely to be teeney tiny woodlice, who are also waiting for your sweetcorn to ripen:-X
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: jo9919 on September 06, 2007, 09:49:02
YUCK!!!

I've just been out to have another look. They certainly look like blackfly and I've also just found an earwiggy on one too  ::)

How do I get rid of them?

Jo.
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: Barnowl on September 06, 2007, 10:07:37
Jetspray?
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: twinkletoes on September 06, 2007, 11:03:00
I spray blackfly with a weak solution of shampoo water!   Worked on the broad beans and runner beans.
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: jo9919 on September 06, 2007, 11:17:32
What do I do? Just add a small amount of shampoo with water and spray that on?

Does it kill the black fly, and how long does it take to work?

Thanks,
Jo.
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: twinkletoes on September 06, 2007, 11:34:05
Hi Jo.  I put about a teaspoon of shampoo in my sprayer, fill with water and then whack the black flies with it.  It seemed to work straight away.  When I go back the next day they are usually dead and gone. Good luck.  Got some spraying to do myself on the runners tonight.
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: lancelotment on September 06, 2007, 12:35:57
Wash & Gone?
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: twinkletoes on September 06, 2007, 12:52:27
....well they certainly went  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: cornykev on September 06, 2007, 16:16:58
I haven't had blackfly on my sweetcorn before  ???   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: OllieC on September 06, 2007, 16:23:44
Feeling left out kev?  ;D
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: debster on September 06, 2007, 18:28:27
sorry to hikack the thread but didnt want to start another corn one, if my cobs are ripe can i still safely leave them on the plant until i want them?
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: cornykev on September 06, 2007, 20:35:39
Just a little Ollie.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: theothermarg on September 06, 2007, 20:38:18
Quote from: debster on September 06, 2007, 18:28:27
sorry to hikack the thread but didnt want to start another corn one, if my cobs are ripe can i still safely leave them on the plant until i want them?
if i were you i would pick them before any thiefing anon nibblers get at them first
marg
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: Sparkly on September 06, 2007, 21:23:24
We picked our sweetcorn harvest last night. We had poor germination and only ended up with about 12 plants. They were also planted a bit late and didn't grow very well. The cobs looked like they had formed but were about 1/3 of the normal length of a sweetcorn.  As they were so small I thought they would not have ripened, but we picked one and they looked ok!! Small, but ripe! I only ended up with about 8 small cobs, but they tasted great! in total I had enough corn for a portion for both of us for tea! It was not exactly the best use of space! Next year I will get them in earlier!
Title: Re: Sweetcorn (again)
Post by: jo9919 on September 07, 2007, 10:12:48
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I jetsprayed the little critters off and then sprayed where they had been with a soap solution, hopefully to deter them coming back. They're not there this morning so hopefully it's worked  ;D

The cobs look like they're nearly ripe now so not long to wait  :P ;D

Thanks for your help,
Jo.