As I’ve written in the past, this is the first year that we have really gone for it with sweetcorn…it ranks up there with cauliflowers (and more recently carrots!) that I seem to have difficulty in growing.
I had a bit of a dilemma at the start of the year as to whether of not to choose F1 varieties as I’ve read so many times that they are not true plants. I can’t really see the point as all it is, is cross breeding. I found a cracking website called ‘Sweetcorn Growing Tips’ – it does exactly what it says on the tin! It explains that sweetcorn was domesticated from a Mexican Grass called ‘Teosinte.’ Researchers believe that humans selected the plants that had the largest pods until, several generations later, they ended up with a corn that had a large amount of edible kernels. It’s definitely a website that is worth a read.
We have about 10 plants in our back garden of varying sizes, the tallest hitting 6ft. These are the plants I grew from seed. I must have planted 50 or so kernels from seed packets, resulting in about a 20% germination rate, leading to about 10 plants growing. The plan was to have a whole bed down the allotment, but due to sluggage, snailage and general lack of actually wanting to grow, we decided to put the plants in the garden.
The plants in the garden have just started to develop their ’silkies’, 2 on the tallest plant, one on the rest. The top has spread out, I assume to spread its seed into nearby plants.
As a bit of an experiment, I spent pretty much exactly what I’d spent on the seed packets of sweetcorn, on plugs. I got about 40/50 plants which as you can see below, have shot up and are currently very successful!
I wanted to put them in the garden to compare them in the same conditions and soil, but as they are different varieties that would have ruined the crop, due cross pollination contaminating the sweetness of the crop.
So they went down the allotment where they are flourishing. They don’t like irregular watering conditions but that is what they are getting! Well, if we get any cobs then hurrah! and if not then so be it!
Tags: choosing f1, f1 sweetcorn, growing lark sweetcorn, is f1 bad?, origins of sweetcorn
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I’ve struggled with corn – aka my Nemesis. But. I got some small plants off a friend and they seem to be doing okay (touch wood) – we’re having a lot of rain, so I would imagine that this, with sun, is good for growing conditions…? Fingers crossed all round!
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Last year I had the usual disaster – left too long in seed cells/plant pot and then shoved in the ground at the last minute, resulting in diddly-squat happening.
The thing with sweetcorn I’ve wondered is… is all the space it takes up worth it? As a non-fan of eating sweetcorn, I’m possibly not the best person to ask. But my other half loves corn on the cob and I’d be interested to hear what you’ve got to say now that you’re becoming a seasoned veteran
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Have you tried pre-chitting your corn? Put the seeds on some wet kitchen towel in a sealed container and in a few days the ones that germinate you can plant knowing they will definitely grow.
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I’m new to growing veg but will be growing sweetcorn, so I was really grateful to Rachael for passing onthe tip about the seeds.
Could I tryo that with beetroot as well? I planted about4o seeds this year after soaking them (as per the instructions of the packet). I’ve only had 4 come up and I ‘m gutted. HAving said that they are to die for but 4’s no where near enough. Anymore tips please.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:44 am
We have grown sweetcorn again this year.
We have a recurring problem that we can’t seem to find an answer to.
The corns appear ripe (milky substance when pierced) but lower down the corn, a lot of the corns are not fully formed. Instead of being yellow and ‘full’, they are tiny and white.
Does anyone know what causes this and what we can do to prevent it happening in futire?