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Garner, NC

I know that this is a watermelon board but I know you guys and gals here can probably answer this for me. I have some Mexican June corn seeds that I want to plant this year, but I also plant alot of sweet corn for the family. Will the two cross and possible infect the sweet corn. I know in years past white corn and yellow corn have crossed giving me a mixed ear, which is fine because it still taste good. I just don't want to mess up a 1/4 arce of corn. Thanks

3/28/2010 7:59:18 PM

Corryton, TN

If its an ear type corn the answer is yes. You might be able to limit or eliminate the damage by staggering your plantings. It depends on time to tasseling.

3/29/2010 6:04:11 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Since you eat the seed with corn, a cross this year will effect the product this year. I would be very careful about mixing the two.

3/29/2010 2:20:32 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

MMM, how much space b/tween crops, to keep em genetically apart? Peace, Wayne

3/29/2010 5:27:23 PM

formerly RGG

I think that isn't true, a cross this year would effect the corn NEXT year.There would be no effect on this years ears or plants other than the corn seed would contain different genetics if they were cross pollinated.The look and taste of this years crop wouldn't be effected.

3/29/2010 6:11:39 PM

Bethlehem CT

Like Minnesota melon man said it will effect this years corn. One of the few crops that you have to worry about cross pollination, because the seed is affected the year the cross is made. (and in corn, the seed is what you eat.) In most other crops you eat the fruit, so the cross isn't seen until you plant the seed and harvest the fruit. So in most instance what Tennessee says is true.)
One year I planted super sweet corn next to regular hybrid corn, many of the kernels were no good to eat. Isolate the corn or stagger the planting dates so that the tassels are showing 10 days apart. Isolation of 25' will be good enough 100' is better.

3/29/2010 6:50:22 PM

Garner, NC

So I guess if sweet corn matures in 88 days and the tall Mexican corn takes 110 days to mature, I could plant the sweet corn in the first of April and wait until the first of May to plant the Mexican corn, that would be 52 days in difference. Do you think that would be a safe idea, sounds like I am eating corn when the Mexican corn would be tassling.

Thanks guys for the help, I really don't have to plant the Mexican but I want to have some fun with friends growing 20 foot corn stalks and not telling them it's not sweet corn!

3/29/2010 8:14:32 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

As long as they do not tassel at the same time you are fine.

3/29/2010 8:24:53 PM

formerly RGG

I stand corrected.

3/30/2010 6:16:07 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

You had me worried there TD, since I was working from past memories. I was pretty sure about this one.

A friend of mine's father had a hobby of growing popcorn. A hobby that would make our attempts at watermelons look feeble at best. Since he had many gardens through the country and would cross hundreds of variations each year. He spent many evenings popping and sampling corn throughout the winter.

I knew that the results of this years crosses showed up immediately in use (popping and eating) of this years crops. The characteristics of the seed are effected by the current cross.

3/30/2010 10:17:53 AM

sevierville, Tn

Along this line but in regard to melons.....the polinator plant will help determine what the watermelon seeds look like?? But won't effect the watermelon itself? Correct ??

3/30/2010 2:40:29 PM

Lexington,IN

I have always been told that the pollinator has no effect on the fruit produced. It only effects the seeds...

3/30/2010 3:04:12 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

You are correct Dewight, but in the case of corn, you are eating the seeds, and as such are experiencing the effect.

3/30/2010 3:24:08 PM

formerly RGG

Pretty nice discussion for something that's off topic.I appreciate all gardening tips though. I love learning to grow things and especially to be corrected on something I was wrong about. Thanks guys.

3/30/2010 9:44:16 PM

Lexington,IN

Right on MMM, and I have experienced the effect with yellow and white corn planted together, it was yummy...

3/30/2010 10:21:22 PM

Netherlands

Hala/Jala corn (also from Mexico) takes about 180 days to produce tassles. The corn stalk actually stops growing first. In some climates it will never produce tassles on time. You might want to try this type.

3/31/2010 12:54:57 PM