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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: amphibian on July 02, 2009, 21:30:31

Title: Earless maize
Post by: amphibian on July 02, 2009, 21:30:31
My maize is romping away, as are the squash about their feet. Most of my maize is 4' tall and the tassels are just starting to emerge. However, I can see no sign of female inflorescence at all; no cobs budding whatever.

Now, I have lost successive harvests to deer and rabbits, so I'm probably obsessing over my maize this year.

Is the lack of embryonic cobs normal at this stage?
Title: Re: Earless maize
Post by: amphibian on July 03, 2009, 19:36:04
39 views 0 replies.

No experts in this field?

I've re-examined my plants and found one silk on 100 plants. At least it won't be short of pollen.
Title: Re: Earless maize
Post by: manicscousers on July 03, 2009, 19:47:08
ah, now I've rad it when I'm awake, i understand..I thought it was a certain strain  ::)
sorry, can't help, ours grow the shoots with the silks on when the male flower starts to emerge, they're 8' tall now and 2 or 3 cobs forming on each  :)
Title: Re: Earless maize
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 03, 2009, 19:52:50
I've seen the male part appearing before the silks. I think it may depend on the variety.
Title: Re: Earless maize
Post by: Digeroo on July 03, 2009, 20:42:13
Just looked at mine, male flowers just starting to show but not much sign of females.
Very bonny plants. 
Title: Re: Earless maize
Post by: telboy on July 03, 2009, 21:32:48
Try black cotton threaded between bamboo sticks along the rows or around the planting area.
Works against flying rats/new pea growth/carrot seedlings !
Good luck!
Title: Re: Earless maize
Post by: amphibian on July 03, 2009, 22:02:56
I'll stop worrying then, the plants look fantastically healthy, best I've grown, I'm sure they'll see me through.