Earthbox Corn 08

My corn, Breeders Choice, are pushing up very nicely. The package says "Sweet Corn Breeders Choice" so I guess that is the full name. It is supposed to have 8" very sweet corn which I do love. Today I planted "Ruby Red" corn in another EB. There are sixteen stalks to each EB. The flavor of fresh picked corn is sensational and the corn is so tender that I even eat them right from the stalk. To cook them means to boil them for a couple of minutes to warm them so the butter will melt upon touching the kernels. Don't know how this will turn out as it is late in my season but again I had my EBs standing idle and I did have the seeds so WHY NOT?? So we'll see how it turns out. I'll take pictures along the way....

Good luck buddy!!!!! Save an ear for me.

BocaBob

Way to go T... Never hurts to try anything.

You ever have roasted corn ears with mayo, parmisan cheese, butter and some mild hot pepper seasoning before?

Boca Bob -- Why not join me?

Star -- That sounds delicious!

Ya know, it's time we get together and chat. I'll call you this week (I have your number from a previous post)

Bob

Wish we could make a three way with aries44. We all have so much in common. Probably won't be home tomorrow as it will be my 71 year birthday. Where did all those years go? I feel like forty except for my darn arthritis in my ankle and shoulders. Part of the Golden Years! LOL

Here's my EB corn as of a week or 2 ago!

Oops!

Very nice plants. I really enjoy seeing all the pictures of EB's with plants in them.

One thing about growing corn that way - pollination shouldn't be a problem!

I have had good luck with sweet corn planted in two 3'x3' container planters positioned close together. Although they are self-watering containers I watered from the top. It was excellent!!! It is Maple Sugar from Burpee. Ears are about 6 - 8 inches long....some of the best corn I've ever eaten. Pulled it all last week and replanted... about 2 inches tall now. I hope it's as good as the last bunch was.
Becky

Tommy -- Last year I had to stake my corn by putting the stakes around my Eb and tying twine around the stalks to completely encircle them because of some high winds. When the stalks get tall and full the EB becomes top heavy and can spill with the wind. Perhaps you should do the same as you also get some strong thunderstorms?

Tplant, yes I will definitely stake mine, I can tell it will be top heavy. Thanks for the reminder! Mine by the way are now 4 feet tall.

My corn coming along very well so far. As you can see I did plant the Ruby Queen but not when I promised but about ten days ago. All are sprouting very nicely. A trick that I learned was to X the slots where seed was to be planted as it makes for less opening for weeds and moisture loss. The more the soil is covered the better it is!

Very nice corn. My okra is up but not holding itself up. I think I didnt plant the seeds deep enough. My red ripper peas are up and running tho. Now that I see these pictures. Going to look for some corn to plant as well.

I am inspired by the Earthbox. Is there a link to more information?

TIA
Carol

Google is your friend!

http://www.earthbox.com/

Hi TPlant,

Nice corn, hope you don't mind if I butt in on your thread and add a couple of pics of my earthbox corn.

The large ones are Bodacious, the small ones are Incredible. They were planted the same day, so I don't know why there is such a size difference...

and here's the Incredible

essentialplanet -- (mouthful) --- Fantastic growth! What type of fertilizer did you use? I would normally use 15-35-15 as corn are real gluttons but this time I used 10-10-10 the old standby only because I did not have the latter in stock but also because I really should not be growing corn at this time because it is not my season but as I said the EBs were there doing nothing so I thought that I would play with it. ?However it looks like I may be getting a good crop? Don't forget to stake them by putting the stakes snugly up against the sides of the EB as they tend to become top heavy with the growth and will tip over in high wind. It happens to me so be careful although no real harm comes from it but better safe than sorry.

Hi Tplant,

You can always call me EP for short, or by my name Boel (pronounced Boo-el)

I use organic fertilizer 5-5-5, EB Stone Organics. (comes in bag or box)

I won't be able to take your suggestion on the stakes, because the boxes are on concrete. I'll have to hope for the best!

Pretty cool that yours are doing so well in the off season!

Boel

Tplant, over here it's traditional to plant a second crop of corn right about now. We're just moving into the summer rainy season, and there's still plenty of time for it to grow and produce before we get too cold. I would imagine, since you're warm for even longer than we are, your corn might do just fine!

I'm trying a second corn crop in my raised beds; the EBs are still filled with tomatoes that haven't given up yet.

Good luck with it!

Tplant: Is it too early to start a new crop of corn in the EB here in 9 (florida) I see you just did yours and you are hotter than I am. Mine didn't do so well the first time around, I made many mistakes. For one, I didn't put the cover on until they were about a foot tall, then didn't stake them in time and they went through an awful lot of shock. I'd like to try again, but was going to wait. I see you have started though, so I was just wondering.

I think your good to go in Dade City, seems this is a perfect time. I know Im fixing to have a go at it and im north of you. My okra is kicking in and I have some scallope squash in an EB that is just loving its situation. Just cut an X wherever you want a seed and I think you will find your luck totally different. If you put it where you can put stakes in the ground at the corners, you can take string and go round and round the stakes and make a little sting 'tube' for the corn to lean against when it gets heavy.

Hi Boel --- When using organic fertilizer I would use twice the amount for corn as they are gluttons. You can also prop up a couple of cinder blocks ,one on each side to prevent them from blowing over. Keep them well watered s as they do get thirsty but they are certainly delicious when the hairs turns a light golden brown.

Tobusy --- I do believe your timing for corn is just right. Go buy a small bag of Superbloom or 15-30-15 fertilizer as the corn really loves it and use two cups plus two cups of lime for a real super crop. Best way is to direct seed by cutting X's in the cover.

Latest EB corn shot!

Hi Tplant,

I like the idea of supporting the boxes with cinderblocks, (or I might use rocks or bricks). That should do the trick!

This being my first time ever to grow corn, (in or out of an EB) I can certainly use all the tips and suggestions you have to offer.

I have noticed they are VERY thirsty indeed. In hot weather I have to fill the box twice in a day.

Yes, twice a day for my corn AND tomatoes as well.

Worth it though!

With the price of fuel it is well worth while to grow your own food although I must be cautious with my corn toppling over but staking it solves that problem. I am sorry that I did not use the Super Bloom fertilizer (15-30-35) as the corn does superb with it but I will with my next crop.

My corn is yellowing on the bottom leaves in my EB. What causes this? Is it normal?

How much yellowing? A little or a lot? Can you take a picture? I don't recall having any yellowing!

Hi Tplant - Where dod you get 15-30-35?

Hope all is well,

Bob

Yo Bob! Lowes has it in their organic section. It comes in 5lb and 25lb bags and is called Super Bloom. I buy the larger as it is more economical and also use it on my flowers as they love it. You will be amazed at the results you will obtain with the corn. I am so sorry I did not use it on mine as I said before I just started it early as a lark but will start my real batch in a couple of weeks. I will also start my tomato seeds in a couple of weeks between the 1st and 15th of August. Meanwhile I have a lot of clean-up and prep work to do. I use dolomite lime and 10-10-10 fertilizer for my tomatos and peppers but 6-6-6 for my legumes as they generate their own nitrogen. Flip (aries44) should be joining us shortly if he got his soil problem worked out as his area is on coral and requires a lot of soil preparation.

This message was edited Jul 14, 2008 9:06 AM

Tplant,
See my photo above in this thread....

tommy2006 --- I have never seen anything like that before but the upper stalks look very healthy. Did you fill your Eb to capacity and use the proper fertilizer? Did you direct seed ?

TPlant,
Followed directions to a tee. Direct seeded. She's tasseling now so I should be o.k. for this season.

Maybe it is just the variety of corn?

Tplant,

Maybe. It is Burpee "Sweet Perfection" Hybrid. I thought it may be a common problem. Maybe it is just that variety.

Yeah as I said Tommy the corn stalks look real healthy! Can't believe how delicious the corn is when picked fresh.

Can I reuse the soil in the box and just add the fertilizer and lime? That's a lot of lime, is that just for one earth box? Do I put both the lime and fertilizer in and mix everything? Then should I let the soil sit after watering well for 24 hours?