Latin |
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Zea mays
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When To Start |
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Plant between May 15th and June 10th. If the soil is not warm enough, seeds often rot before sprouting, especially when they are not treated with fungicide. Untreated seeds should be planted only when the soil has really warmed up (above 18ºC/65ºF), warmer for supersweet (sh2) types, and even warmer for a good stand. Even treated seeds need soil temperature over 15ºC (60ºF) to establish a good stand.
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Preparing the Soil |
Corn is a heavy feeder so add manure or compost, and use 0.5kg (1lb) of canola or complete organic fertilizer (p.81) per 6m (20') of row, mixing it thoroughly with soil below seed furrow. Seed Spacing: Plant 2.5-5cm (1-2") deep, (shallower for sh2 seed or cool soil).
Garden: 4 seeds/30cm (12"), in rows 80cm (30") apart. Because corn is wind pollinated plant in a block (or circle) of at least 4 rows. Farm: 100 foot row: approx. 113 grams; Acre: Su & se varieties 4.5-7kg/acre; Sh2: 2.5-3kg/acre. If using untreated seed in cool soil--double seeding rates.
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Diseases |
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Prevent disease and nutritional exhaustion of the soil by using 4-year crop rotation and composting old stalks.
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Insects |
Loopers are pale olive-green caterpillars up to 2.5cm (1") long. They chew into the centre of young corn plants and can kill the plant if the growing tip is damaged. Hand pick or spray all the leaves with BTK. See wireworms. Seed corn maggot is a small, legless maggot that attacks germinating seed. Planting in warm soil or using predatory
nematodes (see p.85), may help prevent seed-destroying soil creatures.
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Growing Tips |
Loopers are pale olive-green caterpillars up to 2.5cm (1") long. They chew into the centre of young corn plants and can kill the plant if the growing tip is damaged. Hand pick or spray all the leaves with BTK. See wireworms. Seed corn maggot is a small, legless maggot that attacks germinating seed. Planting in warm soil or using predatory
nematodes (see p.85), may help prevent seed-destroying soil creatures.
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Harvest |
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When the silks at the top of an ear are a dry brown, the cob seems to start to droop and the kernels release milky juice when cut.
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