Rising corn (Zea mays) at dwelling can appear daunting at first, and many individuals might solely ever see corn crops rising within the seemingly countless fields that fill farm nation. However in actuality, corn is simple and enjoyable to develop at dwelling at small scales. With sure issues to soil, spacing, and pollination, anybody can benefit from the style of freshly picked corn.
Selecting the best corn to develop
Zea mays, generally referred to as corn or maize, is a domesticated cereal meals crop whose wild progenitors grew in current day Mexico and Central America.
Right now there are tons of of corn cultivars grown for numerous functions. Almost all corn choices fall below one in every of six main classes:
- Candy corn
- Popcorn
- Flour corn
- Broom corn (an ornamental corn grown for its lengthy fibrous tassels)
- Dent corn (the precept laborious corn grown for animal consumption in addition to sure heirloom varieties used for roasting, grinding and hominy)
- Flint corn (consists of decorative Indian corn and many sorts which can be most popular for cornmeal, polenta, and hominy)
Every sort of corn has completely different traits that make it extra appropriate for sure functions over others. For instance, the excessive sugar content material of candy corn makes it superb for consuming contemporary, whereas the excessive starch content material of flour corn makes it superb for making corn flour. The cultural necessities and rising suggestions might be roughly the identical whatever the selection.
When and the place to Develop Corn
Corn is a heat season crop, which means that it’s going to not develop effectively till soil temperatures heat up and it’s illiberal of frost. Seeds are greatest sown immediately into soil that’s 60-65°F after the specter of frost has handed.
Corn requires full solar, and does greatest in fertile, well-draining soils however may even develop in soils with less-than-ideal drainage. The roots of seedlings and younger crops are greatest left undisturbed. Mulch round crops to suppress weeds and preserve even soil moisture.
Corn crops will be fairly tall. Planting them on the north facet of a shared mattress ought to be sure that they don’t shade out different crops. They create adventitious roots from the bottom of their stems which assist to anchor them into the soil, however wind injury remains to be attainable throughout very sturdy storms.
Pollination when rising corn
As a result of corn is wind pollinated, it’s best planted in blocks relatively than rows. Nevertheless, hand pollination will usually yield higher outcomes for small plantings in comparison with counting on the wind alone.
Picture by Sundos Schneider/ Missouri Botanical Backyard.
Merely harvest the pollen from the tassels on the prime of the corn stalk right into a paper bag or snip a number of of the tassel branches off and sprinkle the pollen on the silks rising from the ears. That is greatest performed within the morning earlier than the wind picks up.
Cross pollination will be problematic, notably for candy corn. For instance, if a candy corn selection is pollinated by a flint corn, the ensuing kernels is not going to be as candy. Think about solely rising one sort of corn or planting varieties that mature and kind pollen-producing tassels at completely different factors within the season.
Ailments and Pests to look out for when rising corn
Corn is vulnerable to various pests and illnesses. A couple of frequent pests embody European corn borer, corn earworm, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, fall military worm, and cutworms.
Potential illnesses embody corn smut, anthracnose, rusts, and leaf blights. Not planting too early, clear backyard practices, crop rotation, and planting resistant strains can all cut back illness incidence.
Most pest and illness issues seldom require chemical intervention within the dwelling backyard, however corn earworm is the one exception, as this pest could cause appreciable injury to a small plot of candy corn. It’s simply managed through the use of a combination of 1 half neem oil or the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and 20 components vegetable, corn, or mineral oil.
Apply a few quarter teaspoon to the highest of corn ears the place the silks emerge 5-6 days after silk emergence. If utilized too early, the oil can intervene with pollination. Corn earworm can be managed by selecting kinds of candy corn that mature early and have tightly held husks.
Uncover Zea might’s influence on our tradition
Kernels of Tradition: Maize Across the World (Could 3, 2024 – March 31, 2025) on the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum focuses on the complicated story of one of many world’s most vital crop crops – maize (Zea mays).