Stunted sweet corn

[Sand&Salt]

I harvested my tiny crop of sweet corn (honey & cream variety) and though perfectly ripe and tasty, they were only about 2" long.

Does this generally mean the location is just not good enough? Not enough sun (partially shaded)?

Dang! Those five mini-ears were so good too!

[wit-nit]

Hot, dry weather can result in poor pollination. Periods of heavy rain when pollen is shedding can also be a problem, as can planting a very small patch or a single row of corn. In these situations, the corn cannot pollinate adequately. Certain nutrient imbalances, particularly high nitrogen or low potassium, also can cause ears of corn to fill out improperly.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

There are varieties of corn that only grow to 2-3 inches. Maybe you got mis-labeled seed.

[Sand&Salt]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

There are varieties of corn that only grow to 2-3 inches. Maybe you got mis-labeled seed.

LOL.. I'm gonna go with that!

I understand about the pollination issue (only had 10 plants) but the small size of the cobs was a mystery.

Feed corn grows like crazy here, on very steep mountainsides. But sweet corn...

Thanks, both of ya!

[guidoLaMoto]

Corn is funny about water. It doesn't need a lot, and in fact, it hates wet feet, but it does need just the right amount of rain at just the right time-- just before tasseling.


I had the same problem as you because we had too cold and wet a spring in general, but them worse, it didn't rain at all for two weeks just at tassel time.


Each hair in the "silk" is an oviduct that leads to one future kernel of corn. It needs to get a pollen grain on it at the right time. You can hand fertilize corn if you only have room for a few plants. It's easy. There are many "how to" videos available on line.

[NYC refugee]

I've heard that if you only have a small amount, you should plant it in a circle or square to help with pollination.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by NYC refugee

I've heard that if you only have a small amount, you should plant it in a circle or square to help with pollination.

I only grew corn once in a grid of 36 plants. I got some corn. I was happy that I tried. I like to garden so it was a learning experience.

[NYC refugee]

Originally Posted by Gerania

I only grew corn once in a grid of 36 plants. I got some corn. I was happy that I tried. I like to garden so it was a learning experience.

I grew some, too, and got some corn. Not full size ears, and in the worst possible soil, but it was delicious and I felt I had accomplished something - until I discovered the earwigs. That dampened my enthusiasm a lot.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by NYC refugee

I grew some, too, and got some corn. Not full size ears, and in the worst possible soil, but it was delicious and I felt I had accomplished something - until I discovered the earwigs. That dampened my enthusiasm a lot.

I hate those things.