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31 Dec 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Is something eating the silks off inside the cobs? Maybe the plants have got a bit stressed? Lack of water or too much heat?

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16 Dec 12, Ryan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Yet again my corn grown in 3 rows, spaced about 30cm apart, has failed. The plant is beautiful and green, and about 2m tall. The cobs just don't develop, even though the threads are turning brown. It appears it's a pollination problem, but I'm not sure what else I can do. Maybe where they're planted doesn't get enough breeze. Any other ideas?

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30 Dec 12, Ivan (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Ryan, I second what Colin said about planting in blocks. I used to plant in rows as well and came up with nothing. When planted in rows and closer together, I started getting results and the sweetest corn that we have tasted. No need to dip in butter as well. My dad even ate it straight off the plant without cooking.

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19 Dec 12, Colin (Australia - temperate climate)

Corn needs to be grown in blocks instead of rows to maximise pollination, the pollen from the tassels falls onto the silk to enable pollination, without this process there will be no corn. Corn is a hungry feeder and loves to be mulched with manure,compost and straw to keep the water in the soil. Another reason for no cobs could be to much nitrogen so check what you are fertilising wiith. Also corn loves lots of water and a sweet soil. it takes 16 weeks from seed to harvest time.I hope this helps. I grow around 200 plants in a block for the year and when harvesting I shuck each cob and roll it in cling wrap, then it's into the freezer. To cook it takes 3 minutes in the microwave and then remove the plastic wrap, carefully.

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18 Dec 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hmmm, Ryan. Corn, as you know, pollinates when the dust from the tassles at the top falls on the silks. Often in the sub tropics, the air is too moist and makes the dust fall straight down to the ground, and it's viability is very short. Maybe you could cut off a tassle carefully, put it straight into a plastic bag, bring it inside with the bag open, just to get rid of a bit of moisture, and then hand pollinate by shaking the bag over the silks of the other corn, or getting a brush and lightly brushing it onto the silks.

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05 Oct 12, Phil (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

what r the diseases do i have to look out for whiloe growing sweet corn. also in our area most of our plants grow very well yet as soon as the brocilye, colliflower, and cabbige start the bugs get them, do you have a remidy to cull them?

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17 Sep 12, digger (Australia - temperate climate)

Will kangaroos eat sweet corn as it emerges from seed? We plan to grow more than will fit inside the fenced vege patch

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23 Sep 12, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)

I am planting corn in the next couple of weeks. Is it a good idea to stagger planting , lets say at two week intervals. Idea being it wont all mature at the same time. Any ideas on that anyone?

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15 Oct 12, billy (Australia - temperate climate)

Hello Wayne, It would be a good idea to stagger the planting, as they all wont be ready at the same time, i have been growing corn most of my life, my father used to have an obsession with corn and now i believe i do just not to his degree ha ha ha, Let me know how ya crop turns out Bill Enhard Of South Australia p.s hope it all goes well lol Bill Enhard x

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31 Jul 12, Brian Vendt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Had a good crop last summer.This year,I have planted the corn into punnetts,without much success.I have a new garden for the next lot,and I will sow directly into the ground.Is it a good idea to soak the kernels overnight,to soften the seed.Maybe mix in some liquid seaweed?Would the same advice apply to bean seeds?Thankyou.I live on the Gold Coast.

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