General information and discussion about cultivating all other edible garden plants.
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January 28, 2016 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,598
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Planning my corn, help please
Hello everyone,
I've had trouble with corn and am planning it a little better this year. Here's what's in hand: Buttergold se 63 Sugarbaby se 65 Luscious se 75 Ambrosia se+ 75 Honey Select se/sh2 80 I'm dedicating a length of RGGS exclusively to corn, it will have large volume rootpots, mostly 25 gallons. Each one of the above will have at least 1 rootpot all to themselves. I'll time them so they tassel at different periods and don't inhibit each other. About how many plants do you think is appropriate for each rootpot? I was thinking at least 6 per bag. The pots are about 20" in diameter. Appreciate your input. Last edited by Gerardo; January 28, 2016 at 06:30 PM. |
January 28, 2016 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Not sure what the dimensions of the pots are, but for intensive plant spacing for early varieties 6" is recommended; for later varieties 8-10". Not sure if that helps at all. Corn is a really heavy feeder. Pollination should be aided by the close placement of the plants. I plant in circles anymore and can tie the stalks onto a central stake to avoid blow down in heavy winds/storms.
Ambrosia is our all-time favorite, btw! kath |
January 28, 2016 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 130
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I use 25 gallon half barrels and have planted as many as 18 corn plants in them. If they don't seem to be doing well, you can remove the thin weak ones as they grow. But about 10 plants will grow nicely at the least. Don't forget to use blood meal or urea when they get about a couple of feet high, and use it a little at a time instead of all at once.
Last edited by HiPoha; January 28, 2016 at 06:26 PM. |
January 28, 2016 | #4 | ||
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,598
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Quote:
Quote:
I was planning on using alfalfa and crab meal as N sources in the initial phase, and then hitting them with fish fertilizer and whatever grow formulation I can find for a decent price. And yes, little by little is key. |
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January 28, 2016 | #5 |
Riding The Crazy Train Again
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Marcos, California
Posts: 2,562
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When the water's boiling I'm sure I'll get an invite!
__________________
"The righteous one cares for the needs of his animal". Proverbs 12:10 |
January 28, 2016 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,598
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This summer I will trade you corn for non-corn cokes.
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January 28, 2016 | #7 |
Riding The Crazy Train Again
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Marcos, California
Posts: 2,562
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Deal!
__________________
"The righteous one cares for the needs of his animal". Proverbs 12:10 |
January 29, 2016 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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I don't know what kind of pests you have there, but it takes a lot of spraying to get worm-free corn ears. The tassels are supposed to be sprayed with seven regularly. You can't see the worms until you open the ears.
I even tried some GMO corn two years ago that had the BT gene, but I still had just as many worms. Later the seed company said that apparently what they sold me only works on European worms, not American. whoops. But they said if I just bought another $250 10-lb bag of the very newest stuff, then THAT would work...we promise. That's a lot of money to pay just so the raccoons have non-wormy corn to eat. |
January 29, 2016 | #9 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,598
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Quote:
I was planning on using Deltamethrin, Thuricide, and some Neem Oil. That should cover most intruders. From what I see on the roadsides, lots of small plots of corn seem to do well around here, even in the middle of winter. The last two years I planted in less than ideal spots, and left it in the hands of my pops as I concentrated on the tomatoes. This time I'm taking over and making sure they put something out that's edible. To that end I bought some seeds that play well together (se). I'm getting an itchy trigger finger here, that Met-52 stuff is calling to me. If I get an infestation of something I may have to resort to the nukular option, just like C17H21NO4-head W 43 used to say it. Last edited by Gerardo; January 29, 2016 at 02:21 PM. |
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January 29, 2016 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Yarmouth,NS Canada
Posts: 296
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Hi Gerardo, I realize you are planting corn in pots so this won't really help you but I did the 3 sisters garden this year in Mendoza had had the best results so far with my corn.
http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html Celebrate the Three Sisters: Corn, Beans and Squash by guest author Alice Formiga |
January 29, 2016 | #11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,598
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Quote:
I've had way better luck with cukes and watermelons than squash. And I sure gave it the ol' college try because eating beautiful, perfectly sized, yet extremely nasty tasting green squash is what prompted my whole gardening adventure a few years back. So even though the three sisters have proven their singing chops, I just need one of them for this gig. Great read on the link. |
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January 29, 2016 | #12 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Yarmouth,NS Canada
Posts: 296
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Quote:
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January 29, 2016 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Brother I saw this thread and almost thought about helping.
I am not going to help because I will end up tilling and planting corn. I'm outta here never to look at this thread again. Worth |
January 30, 2016 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake
Posts: 1,244
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I recommend a minimum of 2 square feet per plant. 2. 5 square feet per plant is even better.
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February 1, 2016 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WI, USA Zone4
Posts: 1,887
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I wouldn't go past 3 per pot. Try to space them equidistant in a triangle. Plant Buttergold and Sugarbaby because they're smaller plants. Burpee has a variety that is geared toward pot growing.
PS for 3 sisters: In the old days corn varieties had thick stalks that could support the weight of pole beans climbing up them. Many of today's corn varieties have whimpy stalks that will pull down with beans growing up them. Last edited by dustdevil; February 1, 2016 at 11:46 PM. |
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