A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 What the heck happened to my corn???

We just moved into our new home not too long ago, and before we moved in, someone was kind enough to put a cob of corn out for the squirrels. Well some of the kernels managed to grow into stalks of corn. I figured since Mother Nature was kind enough to seed them, then I would let them grow, even though they are in my flower beds.

Well, yesterday I was weeding my flower beds and noticed that the husk on one of the stalks was pushed open. I figured a squirrel or something had gotten in it. I walked around to the front of the stalk, and noticed something really wrong with the ear of corn.

It looked like cucoons or something to that affect. I put on gloves, I don't normally wear them I like the feel of the dirt, and grabbed the camera. I got pics of it while still of the stalk, and pics after I removed it from the stalk.

It looks like the kernels are badly formed and there is black stuff inside of the "kernels"

What happened to my corn? Is this a bad plant all together, or a bug? I just threw the ear into the trash, didn't want to risk contaminating my compost heap or anything.

I set up a page on my web site for pics of my corn problem Corn problems

Thanks

Shirley

WOW!!! That is some weird corn thing happening!

I hate to be the one to tell you, but my first guess is ALIENS!!! That is WILD!

Hopefully someone will check this out and dispel the alien theory!

Cindy

Unfortunately, you have been the victim of corn smut!
(cute name for a fungus) Generally the spores are transmitted by watering or wind but can be introduced through manure. The fungus spores can live in the soil for up to seven years until the conditions are right for it to grow. It might be affecting a few ears or all of them. Don't throw infected plants and ears in your compost!

Next year be sure that the seeds you buy are a "smut resistant" variety.

BTW... the smut is edible, it's just really ugly...

LOL Cindy!!!

I about fell out of my chair laughing!!!

Shirley

Bill,

If the smut can live for 7 years in the soil, will it affect any other plants that I have or is it strickly a corn fungus?

I threw the ear in the trash, since I didn't know what was wrong with it, I didn't want to risk it in the compost.

Thanks for the info!!!

Shirley

Corn smut is strictly a corn issue.


**** For your further information...****
Our Cindy IS an alien... that's why her mind works the way it does...

Bill...Bill...Bill...be nice now! <img border="0" alt="[tongue]" title="" src="graemlins/tongue.gif" /> ....the alien thing came to my mind earlier as well.....sure am glad I didn't say anything. Cindy you sure left yourself wide open for that one.
Come on Bill....that "stuff" surely isn't edible. Yucky :p

It's great to be around people that joke with each other

And there is NO way I would even try eating that stuff, there is like black stuff in it and all

Shirley

Not only edible, but some gourmets consider it to be a delicasy! Yummy with anchovies on the side!

Ok, PLEASE tell me you are kidding!!!

I really couldn't see eating that stuff, maybe I'll have my husband try it out LOL

Bill...Don't you just hate it when I tell new members that I think they have aliens reproducing in their corn?

Guess maybe I should let them get to know us a little better before I scare them off with my alien theories!

Sorry!

Cindy