Corn Growth
Learn Important Tips for Corn Growth
Corn growth takes a lot of room and a lot of nutrients from the soil. That means if you intend to grow corn in your home garden, you are going to need to make a large area to plant corn, plus you are going to need to pay attention to what kind of soil you have and what it is going to need to grow tall stalks with large ears of corn.
If you are thinking about growing corn, you are going to need to find a spot that has lots of sunlight and is well-drained. You need to plant several rows of corn for pollination which is one of the reasons corn takes a lot of space. It is pollinated by the wind. Don’t plant your corn until after the last frost because corn growth needs warm weather. When you corn is around six inches tall you will need to thin out the plants to be approximately three feet apart. Smaller varieties can be two feet apart.
One of the substances necessary for successful corn growth is an abundance of nitrogen. You should fertilize both in the spring and fall with a balanced fertilizer. Test your soil and try to maintain a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5. Apply side dressings of fertilizer to the rows of corn. If you can’t get your soil tested, apply a 12-12-12 fertilizer. Make sure to weed a lot because corn growth is easily stunted when the roots tangle up with weeds. Also, remember that the soil should be kept moist. You may have to water by hand if drought conditions develop.
One good way to manage corn growth and production is to plant several different varieties of corn which will mature approximately every two weeks. That way you will not only have good pollination but you can extend your corn season so that you will have these delicious ears for the table for a longer time. However, don’t make the mistake of planting some types of corn next to each other without checking on whether they will be compatible or not. You can get corn qualities you don’t want, such as shriveling, if certain varieties cross-pollinate. For the most part, corn varieties planted fourteen days apart should be safe.
Do not remove the suckers off of corn because it will have no effect on corn growth and may even reduce the number of ears of corn produced. Most of the newer hybrid corn types are very disease resistant but choose those that are known to be resistant to Stewart’s Disease, which is bacterial wilt, and smut.
Insects you will need to control for optimal corn growth include flea beetles, the corn borer and the corn earworm. Ask your county extension agent which insects are most common in your location and the suggested treatment.
The ultimate reward of corn growth is fresh corn on the cob. During harvest season, you will need to check the rows frequently. Most corn is ready around three weeks after it silks. Corn is most delicious when cooked within three hours of picking.