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Organic Gardening

How man ears of corn do you average?

urbanminimalist

12 years ago

Just wondering. I tried corn for the first time this spring/summer and was surprised at the strike rate with germinating the seeds. 100%. I transplanted about 20 or so and they all have come in nicely. They are about 5 foot plus now and starting to fruit.

Before planting, I read that most people get one or two ears per. Mine are mostly 4 ears. I am pretty pumped. Is this normal? What did I do RIGHT this time? whoo hoo.........and how do I make sure to get multiple ears next season?

JOhnny Australia

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Comments (10)

forkhorn
12 years ago
wow, have never herd of more than two, but i see mostly field corn witch is a little different than sweetcorn, can you reveal the name and veriety so i can try to have those results. also would like to see a pic.
urbanminimalist
Original Author
12 years ago
I will find out for you. Just some generic seed from the shop up the road. I will try to work out how to send you a photo. I am new to this forum. Also......I counted 5 ears on one plant. That is if I get a small ear of the side-shoot. Keep in mind the weather here in the far south of Australia. Days of 80-90 degree full sun followed by massive rains. (Current weather)....maybe that is why they have done well.

John
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Just wanting to comment on a few posts. I agree that my plants aren't 100%, like I said this is only my second year. However, I don't think its from underwatering. We've had a lot of rain here the past week or two and the days it didn't rain alot, I made sure I watered them deeply if the ground was dry. I think maybe I didn't put enough nitrogen. I read online early on that I should sidedress with a high nitrogen fertilizer once when they are a foot high and right before tasseling which I did but I guess maybe that wasn't enough. The reason I didn't put more was because I read somewhere when I was researching what to fertilize it with before planting that you can burn the plants by putting too much nitrogen on them so I didn't want to over do it. I used bloodmeal and they turned much greener after both applications. So that I know this for next year, how often should I apply the nitrogen??
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Kimmsr
12 years ago
Some of the older open pollinated cultivars of sweet corn would yield 3 or 4 ears per stalk but most all of the hybrids only get 2. Soil health also plays a role in your yield.
gunnersm8
12 years ago
is that sweet corn hes growing getting that yield? holy crap i need to know that variety. i get excited with 2 ears on a plant. anyone know?
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
12 years ago
My dog isn't bigger than your dog.lol
I get one nice ear for the most part on the delicious varieties I raise.
darthtrader
12 years ago
urbanminimalist, do you have the name of the variety for us? I'm also interested in knowing what you used for fertilizers/soil amendments, growing medium, etc. We want to know the secrets to your success! :)
jolj
12 years ago
My father got 3-4 ears off 8' stalks of Old Henry corn.
I have got 3 ears, but I do not raise much corn.
It takes to much time & labor for to little fruit per ear.
Yes, I like corn & you can compost ALL the waste, but I rather grow tomatoes,peppers & cukes.
RpR_
12 years ago
Depending on variety is- usually - is not that odd but if your variety is not one noted for it, that is a little different.

There is one variety Six-Shooter, available from Shumway and Sandhill from which six cobs is not abnormal.
urbanminimalist
Original Author
11 years ago
sorry all for never getting back to you....Very slack of me. Now it is spring again (In austrlia) so, sorry to disappoint you....but what looked like 4 healthy ears coming in only turned out to be two at best. I will try again soon with the same seeds from last year...cheers
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
11 years ago
urbanmimimalist, Thanks for the return update. My sweet corn tends to put out 2 shoots, but usually only one makes a full ear of corn. More important is the quality.

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