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addison Il

sister whos also passonate about sweet corn is growing some its about 4and a half feet tall and is already getting the pollen tassles sis is worried as she has never seen this before happen theres no corn to pollinate just the tassles filled with pollen i have no idea what im saying shes the one who knows about corn but she said that somethings wrong in corn cases the females always come first well at least in the many times she has grown so all you corn experts please tell us what to do if anything is it heat stress lack of pesticides ummm not enough fertz or too much fertz thats causing this prob i told sis help is on the way so and thats there are peaple here to help so can you help us with the prob

7/15/2005 6:13:42 PM

Follansbee, Wv

What variety is it? Some corn is just naturally shorter. Have the tassels opened completely? If the corn is sending up pollen tassels, it should also be making ears. Closely check the leaf junctions for emerging ears. If the tassels are just beginning to show, you still have plenty of time. The most common reason for short tasseling corn is an early planting date, as in too early. My neighbor started her corn inside, in peat pots and transplanted it outside in April! Needless to say, she has 24 inch tall plants with tassels. Remember that corn is a grass. It benefits from nitrogen feeding.
And speaking of corn, I noticed some flea beetles hanging out on mine yesterday. Time to spray. I had enough trouble getting that corn up this year and I sure don't plan on loosing it to Stewarts Wilt.

7/15/2005 6:38:08 PM

addison Il

ants lots of big ants in the tassles gross uckkk that and no site of corn ears at all just tasssles sis is saving pollen now lots of nitrogen pine needle mulch around plants the corn type is called locheif sweet corn matures in 85 days I planted the corn may 15 and sis and I sprayed with chemicals I am sad because the males are fully opened and no females I try to save pollion but dont know if it eill work well I will try I have been watering to keep up with the drought but if any suggestion they will help. thanks

7/16/2005 12:05:42 AM

Follansbee, Wv

That's odd that no ears are forming. I'll have to think on that one. It could very well be a phosphorus deficiency. It could also be that insects are eating the newly developing ears, have you seen a large number of Japanese Beetles around? A severe lack of water could be the problem as well, but it would have to be really bad, and the corn would be showing signs of drought stress.
The ant problem is worse than you think. They are probably farming aphids. Check your tassels and leaf whorls carefully for any signs of aphids.
I don't know how long corn pollen stays viable. I do know that when my tassels open, they shed pollen for several days.

7/16/2005 8:20:10 AM

i start to see tassles forming -before i see ears forming everyyear here-but extreme drought will produce cornplant with no ears on it-

7/16/2005 9:21:20 AM

addison Il

its illinois and hot have not had rain in long time watering everyday with hose from well but very carefull now as dad said the well needs rain. aphids will have to check NO japensese beetles and the corn and pumpkins where sprayed with ortho bug be gone on the 5th of july its like the ants are comming up the middle of the stalk. I will keep watering and spraying the corn and hopefully the ears will come if not this is not the year of the corn after all we are being hit with drought conditions

7/16/2005 3:34:44 PM