Corn

[jolara]

I planted a block of corn a couple of days ago (5' x 9') but we wanted to plant a few more where the cucumbers are planted for the extra ears and the shade they will provide for the cukes when the sun comes out blazing in a couple of months. My question is, the corn I want to plant literally butts up to the already planted corn block and the butt end will overlap by 2-3 ft. I figure I can get three long rows of additional corn in the 4' x 12' row where the cukes are currently. Will that be close enough proximity to pollinate correctly or will I need to encourage pollination myself with a daily feathering? :mrgreen:

I completely welcome and appreciate any input on this!

Thanks.

I have spotty internet connecting right now (new device is on order) so if I don't get back to my question immediately, I will as soon as I can. :-D

[Belle]

With 3 rows of corn, you shouldn't have to worry about pollination, even without taking the other corn you planted into consideration.

[jolara]

With 3 rows of corn, you shouldn't have to worry about pollination, even without taking the other corn you planted into consideration.

Thank you Belle!

[Belle]

You're welcome. You should still keep an eye on it, though, to make sure the bees are doing their job. If you're not seeing any bees, you'll need to hand-pollinate. I am telling you this because, in past years, I've read about several areas that have had no bees or they were very sparse. Even though we don't have a lot of honeybees, other kinds of bees pollinate things, too. My biggest pollinator is the bumblebee.

[firebird]

I suck at growing corn and I don't know why. I will watch the advice too.............

[Saul Mine]

The last time I planted corn the yield was disappointing. This time I am going to go out every day and shake the tassels over the plants. I checked the dictionary; it's tassel, not tassle.

[jolara]

The last time I planted corn the yield was disappointing. This time I am going to go out every day and shake the tassels over the plants. I checked the dictionary; it's tassel, not tassle.

~Snicker~ Thank you for clarifying that. :-D


I sucked at growing corn last year too -it was my first year gardening so I didn't have too high of expectations. They all grew nice and tall, but the ears weren't fully pollinated so we basically grew half corn on the cobs (ala, KFC style). On the bright side, the upper half would have made awesome corn cob pipes! :-D

It was a very windy spring last year, so I'd like to officially place that to blame. :-D

This year to make certain we have lots of pollinators around, I have already begun planting a variety of flowers mixed in with the veggies and fruits and will continue to do so as the season progresses. We had lots of bees last year (at least I thought so) but I want to have a clear concious that I did my best to invite them over. I may just tickle the tassels (:mrgreen:) a few times a week to help things along anyway. I don't think it will hurt anything.

[2dollarbill]

~Snicker~ Thank you for clarifying that. :-D


I sucked at growing corn last year too -it was my first year gardening so I didn't have too high of expectations. They all grew nice and tall, but the ears weren't fully pollinated so we basically grew half corn on the cobs (ala, KFC style). On the bright side, the upper half would have made awesome corn cob pipes! :-D

It was a very windy spring last year, so I'd like to officially place that to blame. :-D

This year to make certain we have lots of pollinators around, I have already begun planting a variety of flowers mixed in with the veggies and fruits and will continue to do so as the season progresses. We had lots of bees last year (at least I thought so) but I want to have a clear concious that I did my best to invite them over. I may just tickle the tassels (:mrgreen:) a few times a week to help things along anyway. I don't think it will hurt anything.


Sometimes you can collect the pollen in plastic bread bags or cotton bags.
I like the plastic cause I can see what I'm doin. Dip the silk into the bag(ALOT) and you should get you some pretty good ears.

Them folks that have acres of corn don't have to worry about such things.

I had some really good popcorn that the grandson was in charge of last year without doing anything and that was in a 6X6 area.

2DB

[firebird]

Good advice on this thread, thanks.