Allotments 4 All

Just been into the garden and had a look at my corn and it all seems to be growing nicely, but I have a question. I spotted what looks like an ear of wheat growing up in the middle of each plant. Is this what eventualy grows out the top and pollenates all the cobs?

Or am I mad? or have I got some weird kind of corn? lol

"Is this what eventualy grows out the top and pollenates all the cobs?"

Yes you are spot on! And very pretty I think they look too! ;D

Coooool thanks Doris_Pinks!

lol can you tell I've never grown corn before? ;)
Seem to be doing ok though, they're over 3 foot now and growing by the day! :)

There's no such thing as a daft gardening question....well, apart from 'Which way up do I sow beetroot and pea seeds!!'

Well come on Kenkew, tell us so we do it right next time

With beetroot, the crinkley bit goes to the bottom. With peas, the round side goes upwards. I you'd like me to go outside and dig some up to show you..... ::)

can I add a question? Am I too late to sow some sweetcorn now? I have 'Lark' and 'double standard' from real seeds.

You don't say where you live Cal' but I presume the UK? Too late now I'm afaid. UK summers are too short for late sowing. Keep your seed in a dry, cool place and start it off next March.

Hi Kenkew

I'm in Co Durham, v cold where I live, so I bought quite a few seeds from real seeds that promised to do well in short cool summers.

I was too late for loads of things last year too. My OH got too bogged down in building things early in the year, everything was in greenhouse waiting for him to clear space. Next year I will try to get him building when nothing else needs done!

Hi Calamity,
A bit of a prob. here.
I reckon in your part of the country, it may be late to start now - but give it a go! your late summer/autumn may be great? if you have greenhouse, start them in there.
In my experience, corn seed don't keep.

Hi Calam, I would try too, try and get them to germinate quickly if you can in the airing cupboard .You have very little to lose. Corn seed does not last long, you should be OK for next year,I buy mine every three years and I keep them chilled,the germination falls off after 2 and  after that the germination is low. Do it straight away though. If part way through you know they are not going to make it, pull them as baby corn BEFORE they are pollinated. XX Jeannine

thanks all

sounds like it's worth a try  - I will do some tomorrow, maybe I will get some babycorn