DH wants to rip out my indian corn!!!!!

[sparkles2307]

SOme moron at work told DH that my indian corn (planted on the opposite end of the garden from his sweet corn) will make his sweet corn taste bad so he needs to get rid of my corn before it tassles. Am I wrong in my thought that it wont affect first-year but if we tried growing any from seed the next generation would be affected?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I think it is true that it will affect this year's corn crop. Maybe you can cut the indian corn tassles when they show up and use them to hand pollinate just the indian corn? I would hate to rip out the indian corn. Corn can pollinate other plants within a one mile radius.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Here is an article on this issue that you might find helpful.

 

[sparkles2307]

Looks like Rachel will be hand-pollinating her Indian Corn...dangit.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Maybe you will get lucky and they won't both tassel up at the same time.

 

[sparkles2307]

Ooooooo I didnt think of that! I will cross my finners!

 

[Hattie the Hen]

DrakeMaiden

Thank you for posting that link. Coming from the UK I don't know much about corn (except that I love to eat it a few minutes after I have picked it. I've grown it several times & it's been delicious! This year is the first time I've grown 2 varieties. Luckily I planted them with a few weeks in between (only because I didn't want them to mature at the same time -- so I will be OK.

I have added this info to my ever-increasing 'Corn File' !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sparkles

If your patch of corn isn't too large could you isolate it by covering it with wide sheets of floating fleece & then hand pollinating it! We can't have a family crisis over corn -- then, at least, it shows willing on your part! GOOD LUCK!


:rose Hattie :rose

 

[seedcorn]

Didn't read the article but corn will cross pollinate w/recessive gene characteristics being covered up--ie, sweet corn will no longer be sweet, white corn will no longer be white, etc. IF they pollinate at different times, you'll be OK.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Hi Hattie

You are welcome! I am glad you found it useful. I have planted two types of corn before, but since I have a greenhouse, I can plant one type inside and one outside (and a distance away) and expect some degree of protection from cross-pollination. The same principle works if you separate your corn types with a building in between (obviously you plant on either side of the building).

 

[seedcorn]

Hi Hattie

You are welcome! I am glad you found it useful. I have planted two types of corn before, but since I have a greenhouse, I can plant one type inside and one outside (and a distance away) and expect some degree of protection from cross-pollination. The same principle works if you separate your corn types with a building in between (obviously you plant on either side of the building).

this won't always work. pollen will travel thru the air.