Corn pollination question +pictures

[CrazyConure]

This is my first time growing corn. What should I do regarding pollination? Should I do it by hand, or let nature do it itself?

 

[Chuck]

Corn is wind pollinated but you can do it yourself. See the tassels at the top of the plant. Those little seed like particles must be in contact with the silks on the actual ears, which will be about 1-2 feet above the soil. I guess the easiest way to do it yourself is to just shake the stalk. Each strand of silk equals one kernel of corn. As soon as the ears start to show silk apply 2 or 3 drops of mineral oil or spray Bt or spinosad onto the opening where the silk emerges. Do this about every 10 days. Watch the tassels for little beetles

 

[Durgan]

Corn should generally be grown in a block to insure wind pollination \s opposed to a single row..

 

[CrazyConure]

Should I align them in a block now, or it it too late?

 

[Chuck]

Too late. They are already tasseling. The reason for block growing is that no matter which way the wind blows the pollen is distributed onto the silks. But all is not lost. Just give each stalk a shake a couple of times a day. You will probably have a few ears. Nest time you can plant the same number of stalks in a 3'x3' area.

 

[CrazyConure]

Ok. Some people say to snap off the tassels and use it as a brush. Would you recommend that method?

 

[Chuck]

Ok. Some people say to snap off the tassels and use it as a brush. Would you recommend that method?

If you do that and the tassel isn't fully mature where is the pollen going to come from. Also an ear of corn doesn't develop in one or two days but over a period of about 10 days. So no, don't do that. Just give each stalk a good shake a couple of times a day until the silks start to turn brown.

 

[headfullofbees]

Should I align them in a block now, or it it too late?

In which direction is your corn row aligned?
In which direction blow the prevalent winds?

 

[gary350]

Corn does not do well in a small crop. Corn needs lots of sun, water and nitrogen. Corn does best when the kernels mature in 85 degree weather and full sun. Corn does not like to be crowded. I never plant a corn crop smaller than 12 feet square, 4 rows 3 feet apart, seeds 6" apart, 2 ears per stalk will give me 200 ears of corn. After I plant my first crop I wait 3 weeks and plant a 2nd crop. If I want more corn I wait 3 weeks an plant a 3rd crop, 3 more weeks plant a 4th crop. This will give me 800 ears of corn not all of it at once. This year I have 2 corn crops 3 weeks apart, first crop will be ready to harvest very soon about a week or so.

 

[CrazyConure]

Good news. My corn already has 2 silks coming out.

 

[Chuck]

Good news. My corn already has 2 silks coming out.

Better start shaking then

 

[CrazyConure]

I would. Be the tassels on that one plant didn't come out yet.

 

[Chuck]

I would. Be the tassels on that one plant didn't come out yet.

Normally it is the surrounding plants pollen that pollinates not its own. That is why it is planted in blocks fairly close together

 

[CrazyConure]

Makes sense now. I can slightly tilt a different corns plant to pollinate it.

 

[Chuck]

Makes sense now. I can slightly tilt a different corns plant to pollinate it.

Sure, thats what the wind does