sweet corn ready ?

[captainhastings]

Is this a case of not just ready or poor pollination ?
The kernels that are there had a milky liquid you can't see through which means to far gone from what I read ?

[Martin H]

Milky liquid is fine. But the gaps in the kernels are most likely poor pollination, as you say.

[captainhastings]

so the small white kernels are a lack of pollination rather than needing longer you think ?

[Spunky]

The tops of mine have gone brown and when I had a look all the kernels were small and white like the lower ones on yours, they haven't filled out and I was hoping they just weren't ready.....,

[sodbuster]

I am not an expert but I have been informed by older sodbusters that the top notch has to be black before harvesting? Is this true 'cos all my corn crop is still light brown at the top?

[Spunky]

Has anyone got an idea of how long it should take roughly for the corn to ripen after the tops have gone brown?

[Martin H]

This is only my third time growing sweet corn so I'm not an expert. But in my limited experience:

- different varieties of corn behave differently. You need to learn what your variety does.

- The kernels ripen at more or less the same speed. If some are getting left behind then it means they aren't going to develop.

- The corn won't be ready until all the stickiness has gone out of the tassles. On my current variety (Double Standard) they are a nice brown colour.

- Until you can tell from the appearance, keep checking for ripeness. Peel back the sheath and push your thumbnail into a kernel. If the juice is clear they aren't ready, if it's milky they are just right, if it's thick and mealy they are past their best.

- If in doubt, cook one and find out for certain.

[Nannysally99]

I would say your sweetcorn just needs to be left longer

[Bill HH]

I think they just need a bit more time.