Peculiar sweet corn

[Canny Grower]

I must admit I've been neglecting my sweetcorn lately - just letting it get on with doing its own thing. Then I noticed ears that appeared to have burst open. When I looked more closely these ears weren't growing on the main stem but on side shoots, some of which grow out between the main stalk and an ear. Almost all the stems of corn have side shoots growing from the base as well.

I've never seen corn behave like this before. Does anyone know what's going on? Might it be a problem with the seed? With the growing conditions?

There are some normal ears too and they seem to be developing as expected.

[Greenleaves]

They are called tillers CG, some will say remove them some wont. I leave mine on without any detriment to the crop

[kathyd]

Me too - I always have them and always leave them in the hopes they might produce something edible - which they never have! - but they don't seem to do any damage to the rest of the harvest. I think it's optional whether you leave or remove them.

[Canny Grower]

Thank you very much. I'm glad it's nothing to worry about.
This forum is such a help.

[Nannysally99]

Got them on mine too, nothing to worry about

[alldigging]

Len's got some forming on the top pollen things too.
Think his are the only ones on site gone a bit mad