Our sweet corn is not developing ears on all the stalks. The ones that are developing are normal and filled out completely. Problem is only about 1/3 have ears. Could this problem be from all the rainy weather we have been having? Is it a nutrient problem? Poor pollination? The variety is Silver Queen.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Sweet Corn question.
many things need asked to answer your question..
Corn is a heavy feeder, lets start with what you have been fertilizing with, and what you did to amend/prepare the area your corn is growing in.
My DH just put down 10- 10-10 when the corn was planted. We have always done this and never had a problem. I know I need to get the soil tested. We have never had this particular plot tested. Also, we need to rotate the plot to another location. The area is approx. 1/4 acre, we plant in 3 different batches so that it does not all come at once.
My father has always tended to the corn, but this year he has been in the hospital on and off since the end of Feb. As far as I know, we did everything that he did. It will be a learning experience for next year.
The other two considerations are how thickly the corn was planted....Silver Queen is a big and tall grower and needs more room.
And was the corn of a good dark green color? Too much rain without good drainage can make corn weakly. and yellowish......also too dry will do the same thing.
I think the biggest problem was too much rain. The ground has never been dry once since spring. This area usually dries out fairly quickly. Many of the stalks do not have good color.
And now the sky looks like another shower could be brewing.