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How shall I grow sweetcorn?

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  • #1

    How shall I grow sweetcorn?

    Growbags are nice and cheap, so they would be a good option, but are they big (deep)enough?

    I have seen pics on google of people using pea and bean planters, with about 4 plants to a bag.

    Or, can I just use plain old 8-10 inch pots, 1 per plant and put them in a 2X2 block?

    These are my 3 options. Which is best iyo?
    Last edited by robfosters; 08-04-2011, 12:54 AM.
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  • #2
    Originally posted by robfosters View Post

    Or, ... 8-10 inch pots, 1 per plant and put them in a 2X2 block?
    That one.

    Although, 4 plants is only four cobs, is that enough?
    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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    • #3
      Do you really need a pot that big. I was hoping to start them off in root trainers and then straight into the plot!

      I love sweetcorn and Have not frown it before. Don't want to mess it up!

      Loving my allotment!

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
        That one.

        Although, 4 plants is only four cobs, is that enough?
        TS makes a very good point there about supply but you also need to have your sweetcorn planted in blocks for ease of germination. I plant a minimum of 20 for that very purpose.

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        • #5
          p.s. growing a variety called Northern Extra Sweet this year supplied by T&M. According to the catalogue, it is suitable for less warm areas and boy do we qualify on that front normally.

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          • #6
            I grew NES last year AB, it was appalling (two foot high and didn't crop). It may just be my conditions though: Conqueror does brilliantly year in, year out
            All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Newton View Post
              Do you really need a pot that big.
              I grow corn in the ground, and each plant is 5' tall and the foliage about 18" wide. The root ball is about 6" deep and 12" wide

              If you try and cram plants in too small a space, they don't perform as well
              Last edited by Two_Sheds; 08-04-2011, 08:02 AM.
              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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              • #8
                Planning on growing Sweetcorn for the first time here as well.

                Got a patch that's 9 square foot (3 by 3) but can't decide if a block of 9 plants is sufficient for pollination?

                Also, when should I start sowing in time for planting out - mid April?

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                • #9
                  I started mine off in loo rolls last year, but also had a few in 3" pots - I was very careful when transplanting them on (gave them a good soak, and let them sit for about 30mins so the soil was nice and compact, not flakey).

                  Originally posted by Alan G View Post
                  Planning on growing Sweetcorn for the first time here as well.

                  Got a patch that's 9 square foot (3 by 3) but can't decide if a block of 9 plants is sufficient for pollination?

                  Also, when should I start sowing in time for planting out - mid April?
                  I planted mine last ear at 7.5" apart, the lower cobs didn't get very large, but I still had great big fat cobs at the top

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                  • #10
                    I grew mine in a bed and also in pots last year. The beds were fantastic, really didnt have to do anything to them apart from water and watch but the pots were rubbish. The growth was stunted, there was half a cob growing on one, they needed watering all the time.... will keep them in the beds this year!
                    Serene she stand amid the flowers,
                    And only count lifes sunny hours,
                    For her dull days do not exist,
                    Evermore the optimist

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                    • #11
                      I find conqueror is reliable,i start mine of in root trainers as the piccy shows.I then transplant once any chance of frost has gone i plant them 12"+ apart in blocks of staggered rows.row one has 4 plants, row 2 has three, row three has 4,row five has 3 ete etc.Hopefully the grid pattern below will show what i mean.If you plant too close thinking you get more you wont you will probably get less.On allotments id be wary of growing the supersweet varieties as if these cross polinate they dont taste anywhere near as good

                      grid pattern i use

                      X...X...X...X
                      ..X...X...X
                      X...X...X...X
                      ..X...X...X
                      X...X...X...X
                      ..X...X...X

                      Sweetcorn started in rootrainers

                      Last edited by Pies; 08-04-2011, 01:45 PM.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
                        I grew NES last year AB, it was appalling (two foot high and didn't crop). It may just be my conditions though: Conqueror does brilliantly year in, year out
                        Awww , I do hope it was your windy east Norfolk conditions(or do I cos I'm pretty far east as well). It is a good deal warmer down your end of the country so I have to be pretty selective with the varieties I try.

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                        • #13
                          Hi

                          I'm afraid it is more likely the corn. I grew the same last year and it was a complete disaster. There was a thread on here about 2 months back and I think everybody who grew it failed. Sorry!

                          I grabbed a pack from these guys,

                          Sweetcorn Lark Seeds @ 95p per pack!

                          and thought I would give these a go!

                          All the best with them

                          Dave
                          Fantasy reminds us that the soul is sane but the universe is wild and full of marvels

                          http://thefrontyardblog.blogspot.com/

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                          • #14
                            Oh dear, Lark were awful for me and RustyLady the year before (2009). Very little germination: perhaps a dodgy couple of packs
                            All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                            • #15
                              Just a quick note... planting in a block isn't strictly necessary unless you're planning on using the wind to pollinate your crop.

                              Have a look into shoot bagging. It should be entirely possible to get full pollination of plants dotted here there and everywhere with that method done properly. I believe a lot of commercial growers do it.

                              I'll be doing it this year so I can save pure seed while growing a couple of varieties closer together than needed to ensure no cross pollination by the wind.


                              I'm growing Seville for supposedly better yield in a less than ideal climate and Strawberry Popcorn for, well, popcorn. I'll be saving seed from both.

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