Sweetcorn

wulf · Post: # 3726Post **wulf** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:38 am

Some seeds seem to take a lot longer to germinate than others. I've taken to chitting seeds on kitchen towel (absorbent paper) in a transparent covered container. I can then plant out the ones that germinate and discard any that fail.

Wulf

Millymollymandy · Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:21 am

Thanks guys. I thought that they must germinate at the same time because the ones in the farmers field did (and he doesn't have any gaps as far as I can see)! I only planted one seed per hole because there were so few in the packet I could not afford to waste any.

greenbean · Post: # 3993Post **greenbean** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:57 pm

I see Sweetcorn is now veg of the month. Yippee.

I put my corn out far too early, it is not growing now, I am hoping that it will pick up as it's getting warmer. So my top tip is: do what is advised on the seed packet, don't plant out until July 1st earliest, especially if you live in the cold north.

Andy Hamilton · Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:51 pm

greenbean wrote:I see Sweetcorn is now veg of the month. Yippee.

yep, feel free to mention other ones. We are alway open to suggestions for new articles. Especially as I now have finsihed Uni

Any small projects that you might think of, if posible I could try out and report back too.

Millymollymandy · Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:46 am

Hmmmm, well so far out of 36 seeds I have 3 plants about 5" high, one tiny thing that has been struggling to get to 1" for the last ten days (lovely warm weather), and 2 of the remaining 6 seeds I planted in pots have germinated. I think I just have a duff batch of seeds and will probably be having words with Messrs T & M.

And it's OK for you lot, but we can't buy sweetcorn in the shops here - what's wrong with the Bretons (it's not the French, I used to buy it on the other side of the country, not that there was a lot of it, but it was there if you were lucky). In France anything that is cattle fodder is not considered fit for human consumption, plus they are just not big veg eaters anyway. I bought a packet of what looks like spring greens (another unknown here) and guess what the instructions say - it's for feeding to rabbits!!!!!

Andy Hamilton · Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:03 am

Yet last time I was in france it seemed easy to buy some of the strangest meat such as horse brains!

Millymollymandy · Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:53 am

Now I'm really peeved as since we had a bit of rain on Tuesday and warm/hot weather since, the maize in the field next to my veggie patch is about 2 foot tall ........... grrrrrrrrrrrrr

greenbean · Post: # 4815Post **greenbean** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:23 pm

Update on my sweetcorn... with the hot and rainy weather my corn has been growing like bonkers. I am so relieved and vey pleased, I am now gathering materials to make a scarey scarecrow, the crows around here are quite a problem.

ina · Post: # 4819Post **ina** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:56 pm

Greenbean - maybe you should add an explanation of what "hot weather" means in Scotland, otherwise all those folks in France will think it's the same as hot weather for them! I got quite sunburnt on Saturday, spent the day outside at the local agricultural show - but it was never more than 20 degree. You are further south, of course, so perhaps it's a bit warmer in Stirling? I remember a really hot day in France (south west, summer '87), when I went indoors, because it was cooler, and the indoors thermometer showed 30 degree

!

But I agree, it has been really nice and, well, warm, the last few weeks. Ideal silage weather... And hot enough for me, if not for the tomatoes.

Ina

Millymollymandy · Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:42 am

So....... how do you know quite when to pick? Do the flowers on the cobs have to go really dry and brown? Or do I have a nosey at a cob first by pulling back the layers around it?

Got quite a lot of cobs on each plant (well 5 of the 6) which makes up for the really poor germination.

ina · Post: # 5778Post **ina** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:16 pm

I think I would have a look before I picked any... If you leave it too long, you might end up with popcorn!

Greenbean, how are your plants doing?

Ina

Wombat · Post: # 5792Post **Wombat** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:07 am

G'Day guys,

If you pull the leaves back and prick a corn kernel, and a milky white fluid comes out....................it's ripe!

Nev

Millymollymandy · Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:54 am

Thanks, I will go and have a nosey!

Guest · Post: # 5804Post **Guest** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:25 pm

Hello Ina an all,
I have been worried that my cobs are getting over ripe, the wee tassels are all wizzened and brown, I'm going to do Wombat's prick test tomorrow. Will report back with results. Yes, hot weather in Scotland means you are able to go outside without a hat, scarf, gloves, anorak and boots, ha ha. No, joking aside it has been very warm some days, I am very pleased with this weather for my veggies.
My tomatoes are ripening up lovely. My scarecrow turned out well, I'll try and get a photo on here, she's just lovely.

greenbean · Post: # 5805Post **greenbean** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:26 pm

That guesty is me, forgot to login. GB.