0% success rate with my sweetcorn - what now?

[Finedon.Dandy]

The first lot of seeds I houses to germinate in the greenhouse and not in the conservatory this year have all failed - even my sunflowers I am most disappointed about my sweetcorn as although the germination rate was poor last year and the pollination wasnt too great - what we did get was wonderful and I was so looking forward to more and more and more of the same this year. My Dad said to sow direct and I do have a small polly tunnel thats hanging around jobless at the mo but what would you guys do?

[squashysu]

anything is worth a go, i am obviously lucky and had 100% germination and i posted mine as well into planters in the greenhouse and they are going great guns, sorry it has been so pants for you.

If at first you dont succeed try, try again.

SS

[pjh75]

I would try again... it took me about 4 different method/attempts to get carrots to germinate and they finally have - still early days, they have tiny, tiny shoots but it was worth trying.

[Capsid]

I chit mine on a wet paper towel in the airing cupboard and then when the root is showing I plant (carefully as they are delicate) into 3" pots. I get a high germination rate using this method.

[palborn]

I've also had a problem with sweetcorn this year. I have just tried the germinating them first technique after a dismal failure sowing them direct into pots (only 6 germinated and grew) and will be planting them out in the next couple of days. I've also had to ask a friend for some seeds as I was in danger of not having enough! I will be sowing these direct so I can compare the two methods. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful but at least you know you're not alone

[Finedon.Dandy]

Thanks for all the encouragement but I should have been more clear....Should I sow direct or in the greenhouse? Think I will def try chitting first though.

[Two_Sheds]

Sunflowers are dead easy. There's probably more wrong with your technique than with your seeds. Are you over-watering? Are they sown too deep? Were they sown too early when it was cold?

[Finedon.Dandy]

I think I drowned them when I first sowed them - thats why I mentioned the sunflowers as I was sure it wasnt the seeds!

[MrsBond]

I had good germination on my corn, but I think I put them out too early.

They are surviving, but I have seen healthier plants in my time.

I am probably going to get some backup seeds tomorrow, and if needed, I will sow direct into the ground pretty soon. Fresh seed is imperative and I still think that sown direct now is better than none at all.

All is not lost!

MrsB x

[Paulottie]

Your not too late for either method.

Obviously if you want to have two to a station thinning to strongest you need lots of seed to sow outside. I have had success in the past with later direct sowings in many ways its a good option especially for larger batches. I don't bother chitting just chuck em in when ground its warm. I tend to use saved seed for that from very select cobs grown in my garden away from other corn but from f1 parents (sundance)...it has mainly seemed fairly true to type and turned out well. a lot cheaper and less hassle than 150 3" pots also the plants tend to be sturdier. Maize does resent the transplanting. It is a risk for me growing it on the allotment anyway as we have so many badgers about.(real disaster last year so gone electric this year HA!!)

Re: sowing in pots 2 sheds is right, undoubtedly the biggest cause of failure is rotting the seed in over wet compost. Try soaking overnight and putting into just damp compost. Again I don't have time to chit them on paper. The advantages of pots are really starting early (missed the boat) to facilitate sowing in batches to spread harvest, no thinning and thus less seed.(if your not rotting it.) I aim for 18 plants a fortnight from early April to midsummers day. I like it at its best (anything else is chicken food here)

How many are you aiming to grow? If you PM me I can let you have some saved seed or if you want guaranteed supersweet, then Unwins seemed quite good value with 75 seeds per pack (Suttons only 35)...but look around and check contents estimate

[Lavenderblue]

i soaked my sweetcorn overnight, planted them in moist compost then i put them in the airing cupboard for a few days until I saw signs of life. 100% germination in three batches of seed, including one lot of heritage.