Corn pollination how-to

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Aug 09, 2007

I'm experimenting with a fall corn crop, which is supposed to be possible here in the middle desert of Arizona. I sowed a 4' x 4' square-foot-type garden area with 16 corn seeds, all spaced 1' apart. Unfortunately, it looks like my seed wasn't in such good shape, and I've only got about 8 plants in a random pattern in my little block. They're all still little, so I've got some time, but I'm wondering, is it possible for me to hand-pollinate them, since I don't think there's enough plants for them to pollinate each other? And, if so, how do I go about doing this?

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Pinger42 Mooresville, NC(Zone 7b) Aug 10, 2007

I'm not sure about this Tucson, as I am a beginner...but I think if you gently shake the stalk when the tassels come in and make sure some of the pollen falls on the silks...that should do the trick.
Hopefully, someone will correct me if I am wrong.
Good luck!

Oh yeah....if you have any seeds left, go ahead and put them where the others didn't come up.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Aug 10, 2007

Thanks, Pinger, I appreciate the advice! I'm gradually reseeding my area, but I'm afraid that I'll still have the same problem with not enough plants available for pollination at the same time, since now they're staggered by a couple of weeks in planting times as well. Hey, if all this does work, we'll be eating fresh corn for months! :)

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