Growing Sweet corn, also corn,maize

Zea mays, var. rugosa : Poaceae / the grass family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S S S S S S S S      
T T T T T T T T T T T  
P P P P P P P P P P P  

(Best months for growing Sweet corn in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): All beans, cucumber, melons, peas, pumpkin, squash, amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Celery.

Your comments and tips

22 Feb 09, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ian, poor pollination can result in corn not forming completely. Could your corn be planted too far apart, or in rows instead of the recommended blocks? (See the comment from willo on 20th Jan). It could also be due to insufficient water.
22 Feb 09, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks Chris, they are in blocks, but what I may be doing wrong is that I am dusting the silk for grubs as soon as it pops out & maybe that is stopping the pollination.
01 Mar 09, anaura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hi I'mplanting corn for the first time , but the leaves are loosing colour and have small brown specs on I was a bit sloe at watering and it has been very hot can any one help . thanks
03 Mar 09, Dean (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I've grown some beautiful sweet corn before, but this new crop(different house) looks awesome but tatses very flourery.Any suggetsions.
16 Apr 09, Thomas (Australia - tropical climate)
Hello, does anyone know where I can buy sweet corn seeds for a tropical climate? I need to do a sample in Panama, Central America. Thank you in advance for any help. [email protected]
17 May 09, Jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Julie ' i have grown corn in blocks for better pollination and when you think its about time to harvest open the tip of the cob and pop one of the kernals if its clear its not ready if its gluggy and thick its over harvest but if its got a creamy white texture (which is not long after the silk goes brown) its time to roast him on the BBQ.
17 May 09, Kasha (Australia - temperate climate)
Dean a friend of mine advised me that sweetcorn will taste floury when grown out of season, when it is too cold something about them not ripening properly from the cold. I find if I grow corn during Autumn/Winter my corn stalk is stunted to under 1m and produces floury corn....YUK
20 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Dean: did you plant seed or seedling? If the sweet corn was planted too near dent corn then a cross could have occured. How long between harvest and consumption? (sugar (sweet)starts turning to starch (flour) as soon as you harvest) What variety?
21 May 09, deano (Australia - tropical climate)
i live in cairns is it possible to keep the best cobs from my harvest to use the kernels for my future crops. if so what is the way of preparing and drying the kernels
22 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Deano. Depends on the variety. If you bought heirloom / non hybrid seeds then yes. If you went to the supermarket/nursery and bought a packet of sweetcorn seeds then probably not. Also depends on how many varieties you planted and how far apart (including your neighbours). Corn is promiscuous, varieties will cross very easily.
Showing 11 - 20 of 323 comments

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