Sweet corn falls over when 1" tall

[rfs55]

This happened last year and has now happened again this spring. The sweet corn was planted on 5/23 and this morning, 5/27, it was up 3/4-1" tall. This afternoon it has all fallen over. When it happened last year, it was a very wet spring in upstate NY, we were told it was "damping off" primarily due to over watering, (excessive rain). The suggestion was made at that time to add a bale of peat moss, which was done.

This week has been unseasonably warm and we have watered moderately. What could be causing this?

We have almost 30 chickens that roam and scratch in the garden in the spring before planting. They should be taking care of any cutworm/larvae. The chickens are not allowed in after planting.

Last year we had the soil tested through the local cooperative extension, Cornell, and the pH was a little high but not outside the range that corn should grow well in.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

Ray

 

[seedcorn]

Could be several things.

1) how deep are you planting? Needs to be minimum of 1.5" deep (seeds). Otherwise you don't get good root development. 2" is better yet.

2) Rootworm could be eating you roots thus causing them to fall down. They are hatching now in Indiana. Nothing will stop them except RW gene (not available in sweet corn) or use of insecticides in soil (too late for that now). I have them every year. They shouldn't kill the corn plants but you will have a much reduced root system, so feed/water, ears will develop.

3) chickens are of no value to stop grubs/cutworms. grubs can be problem. Cutworms will cut the plant like a pair of scissors. Wireworms will also kill the plant. Again insecticides are only option or replant (what I do). Wireworm are a problem in cold, wet soils. Heat will drive them deep in ground, so they become no problem at all.


Pictures would be very helpful to help diagnose, need picture of how deep seed is, and picture of plant from roots to top of plant.

 

[boggybranch]

They have a lot of trouble in the UK with their growing season and weather as it relates to corn. They solve the problem by starting their corn in pots and planting out when the soil temp and moisture levels are more in line with what the corn plants need. That might be something to try.....course, depends on just how many corn plants you want to plant, too.