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Winchendon, MA

Anyone having problems w/ black and pink mold on the top of their corn stalks(where the pollen came from)? The flys seen to really like it and the ants. I figured it was the rain but only 2 plants have it out of 36. They have good sized corn comming an Im wondering if I should just cut them down. Dont know if will effect the corn itself. Dont want to start hallucinating or anything. Thanks in advance, Danielle

7/26/2008 11:42:41 PM

Bethlehem CT

I noticed that quite a few of my early corn stalks had grey/black fungal fruiting bodies on the tassels. This is corn smut.( when it grows on the tassel it looks a little different than it does when it is on the ear), I just cut the tassel off, the ears are still fine. Normally I am a little more vigilant and prune off corn smut as soon as I see it. Once it dries out it will spread spores, so try to get it early. I neglected to do that this year and I think that is why I have more of it than usual. The wet weather we have had is very conducive to it's growth. People eat corn smut, in some countries it is considered a delicacy. I am not sure what the pink fungus is. Corn smut is grey turning to black. I hope this helps.

7/27/2008 9:27:11 AM

Winchendon, MA

Thanks big moon. I did find out what I had and its worse than mold. I had about a million baby stink bugs all over my corn tops!!!! I put so much dust on them now everything is white. Succes in the end. killed all of them and the ants!! YES! My access to the corn was hard so it looked like mold at first. Unfortunately though I killed all the lady bugs too. But I dont want the stink bugs so I guess its ok.

7/30/2008 12:15:22 AM