Your comments and tips

15 Nov 10, WogBoy (Australia - temperate climate)

re mel, 8 Nov, try not to water at the base of the plants but around them once they are establish. i have my corn in rows anbd i water in between the rows so water goes both sides of the plant. the base of the plant stay dry and you can fill the middle trench with straw to keep the ground wet and minimise evaporation

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11 Nov 10, Leah (Australia - temperate climate)

Thanks Chris - it's amazing what a difference just a few warm days in a row and some seaweed can make . . Will put in another batch of seedlings once these first lot take off.

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08 Nov 10, Mel (Australia - temperate climate)

My corn is growing well, I have noticed that there seems to be roots showing at the base of the stalk, should I build the soil up?

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29 Jan 12, Bryan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Mel, the roots you refer to are not feeder roots, they are mainly to stabilise the plant stalk.

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10 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)

The secret with corn is to keep them warm they dont like cool soil so get some straw or some mulch and cover the roots up that will keep them warm but also allow for good drainage so the roots dont stay wet and start to rot.

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06 Nov 10, leah (Australia - temperate climate)

I have planted corn in large raised beds - they plants are now very pale green and haven't grown very much - they were planted about 6 weeks ago in an out Melb suburb. I suspect I planted them too early - any suggestions - thanks.

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02 Dec 10, Sam (Australia - arid climate)

If they're not thriving, try a liquid fertlizer. Organics can work but dissolved conventional fertilizers work faster. If they are pale and weak they might need phosphorous (superphosphate or chook poo, or a soluble fertiliser) or nitrogen (urea or sulphate of ammonia are both soluble and very high in nitrogen, some soluble commercial fertilizers have a lot, chook poo also has some). It might take a week or two to see results.

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07 Nov 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

They might start moving with some warm days and nights. I'm starting mine now - they don't like cold. You could try inter-planting a few more and see how they go and pull out the ones which don't thrive. Also, watering with sea-weed emulsion can help if they are stressed.

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02 Nov 10, Sandy (Australia - temperate climate)

Sometimes a caterpillar will eat off the base of the silks - making them look ripened. Will also eat the corn. Corn love Nitrogen, Zinc and water especially early. Beans grown up corn is good, but the beans don't put much nitrogen in until they die off.. I also grow cucumber/gherkins/lebanese cucumber under the corn. 3 crops in one.

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28 Oct 10, Merlijn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I grew corn for the first time from seedlings. The cobs are now still very small but the silky threads have gone brown. So I pulled a cob off thinking it must be ripe, but there are only a few corn kernels on the cob. Have I left them too long? How do I know if they are ready for picking?? They've had plenty of water (we've had a wet spring in Brisbane!) Any ideas??

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