A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Corn. . . how and when?

ok guys. . . . i'm having problems with the seeds i've planted outdoors for corn. i dont see them poking through the ground at all. I soaked the seeds overnight in a cup of water, and planted 4-5 seeds per location. only one has poked through. . of course it has been crapola weather for the past 2 weeks with hardly no sun/warmth and a good 3 days of solid rain too.

However i have now successfully gotten 4 plants transplanted outside, that i started indoors in some seed start mix and they shoot to a good 3" tall within a week!

Questions here. . . is there a better time to plant seeds outside? or is germinating indoors in warmth & petemoss containers going to be my only choice?

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Danno. First do you have any idea of ground temperature? Most sweet corn don't germinate well in cool soil. Needs to be 55 up at planting depth. There are a few varieties that will germinate at cooler temps.. First I would look on your seed packet it should say. That is what it sounds like to me. If so wait till it warms a little and replant and they should come up ok. Good luck. Jay

ty man Due to the cold weather i'm sure its avg is below 55! Good thinking!

i would say cold soil is the problem!
i always start mine in the greenhouse, then transplant outside when its warmed up!

yah i like the idea of transplanting. . unless your doing ALOT of corn lawl. That way you ensure germination!

Yes to the soil temps, they like it a bit warmer..

But direct sowing is best for them, cause they resent being transplanted...
***We've had the same yicky, dull, drab, drizzly rain I think, I've been waiting to plant mine too***

i never have trouble transplanting mine!
i start them in paper tubes (i hate making em) but its time well spent.
when there ready to put out the roots are coming through the paper tubes.
i just make a hole, put em in, and away they go!!
worth a try,,,

Mark, how do people eat corn in England? On the cob or what?
I agree with you about having new potatoes with butter only ! YUM ! And a sprinkle of salt- a feast !!!

yeah on the cob with butter.
now my mouth is watering, thinking about new potatoes!!!

i start them in paper tubes (i hate making em)
++++++++++++++++++++
Spent toilet paper cardboard rolls and plastic wrap rolls work well for this too.They break down a little more slowly than paper but it forces the roots to go deep.

I planted corn two weeks ago when it was nice and warm, then the rain came, about 20% made it, the rest of the seeds rotted before they came up, last monday I filled in all the gaps with new 73 day seed, we'll seed what happens. yukyuk.

Yeah, corn needs warm soil to germinate...
I think half of our farmers here, haven't planted yet, we've been soooo cold and rainy here
*and frost advisories tonight*
that they are waiting for the wee~bit warmer weather to get it in...

I started mine off indoors in peat pots (as recommended by all the literature I'd read). Not sure it was such a good idea, as the roots have popped through virtually all of them very easily. Still, they look healthy, and are hardening off outside as we speak. I might try the toilet roll holder idea next year if these are a success.

I've only got about nine, as I'm planting in a border in the garden, so hope that'll be enough for pollination? (3x3 block)