Sweet corn in a box.

I trust that I am in the right place in Dave's Garden . I am a Bostonian, transplanted into Florida. I am a fruit growing person, next to the water. I try vegetables in boxes and pots -- do pretty well with tomatoes. But I grew jealous of the Silver Queen sweet corn that I get at the market. So, first time, I tried them in boxes.

They sprang up like magic -- out of the ground in four days -- growing like crazy. The first box started five weeks ago. I have three boxes and planted them two weeks apart. The first set are almost six feet high and already are tasseled.

First is a photo of the tassels in the first box.

But, disaster hit the second box (now three weeks old).

Second is a photo of one of these plants.

Help! Can anyone explain what's happening.

Be well

(o_O)

Flyboy looks like corn worm or corn borer to me. Have you inspected at night with a flash light. I often am surprised what I find You have a computer how about trying a google search and poking around those two words and see what you get. I don't think it's a slug because I don't see a slime trail.

Is there a spray I can use? A kill-all?

Be well

(o_O)

Flyboy try googling btk

I found something the locals use. THURICIDE

So, I gave it a go.

Be well

(o_O)

Flyboy I think that's what the T is in btk.

eweed:

Thanks. Hope it works,

Be well

(o_O)

It looks like your new growth is a little pale, too. Remember that corn is a great big grass. To keep the keep the color dark green, a fertilizer with nitrogen should help, a balanced N-P-K is even better.

Thank you.

I hear and I obey

Bt is Bacillus thurengiensis which kills foliar feeding worms. Thuricide is a brand name. I'd suspect fall army worm, not corn ear worm, from the pattern. Can you provide photos of any droppings or signs of worms?

Certain varieties of corn do well in northern Fl. I've never heard of corn grown more southerly. As said, it takes a lot of fertilizer. Lots and lots. Perhaps others can do it organically but my experience is that it equates to a lot of petrochemicals and therefore don't grow it. Florida soils are sandy/porous so everything leaches through. Crops are especially fertilizer challenged unless helped along. I am speaking from experience as I am a native Floridian (but SO is a garden challenged Bostonian). lol

May~

I planted three series -- two weeks apart. The first showed no signs -- here are some of the ears. It still has about a month to go.

The second started showing infestation, but got through it with very little devastation showing

The third set (photo showing feces and eaten foliage) is a disaster.

Be well

(o_O)

First picking. Wouldn't win the 4H prize -- but, we did it!

Be well

(o_O)