Agricultural techniques for growing sugar corn (types se- su-), super-sugar corn (type sh-2) and vegetable corn (branched salad corn) are generally not significantly different from those for growing grain corn. Here are the main sequential points and a few tips to follow to get a decent harvest of cobs with proper taste.
Choosing a site.
Preferably with a flat surface, without depressions and hills. This will make it easier to carry out agrotechnical measures and ensure a uniform harvest.
An important point is the observance of isolation conditions: spatial isolation from other corn crops (corn of a different type) at least 300 meters.
1а. For super sweet corn (type sh-2), the following isolation distance should be maintained from: - sugar maize (types se- su-), in case of non-compliance due to over-pollination, you will get grain maize; - grain maize, in case of non-compliance due to over-pollination, you will get both sugar and grain type grains or all grain type grains on the same cob;
1b. For sweet maize (types se- su-), the following isolation distance should be maintained from: - super-sugar maize (type sh-2), in case of non-compliance due to over-pollination, you will get grain maize; - grain maize, in case of non-compliance due to over-pollination, you will get both sugar and grain type grains or all grain type grains on the same cob;
Spatial isolation can be replaced by temporal isolation, i.e., calculate the sowing time so that the flowering period of the grown corn does not coincide with the flowering period of the “unwanted neighbor corn”. This will prevent cross-pollination between them.
Soil preparation in the fall.
It takes place in the traditional way: disking, deep plowing, harrowing (a set of these operations depending on the previous crop, soil type, farming traditions, etc.)
Soil preparation in the spring.
It necessarily involves the operation of “closing moisture” (harrowing to destroy the surface capillary structure of the soil).
Pre-sowing cultivation.
Pre-sowing cultivation is a mandatory agrotechnical measure when sowing sugar corn (types se- su-), super-sugar corn (type sh-2) and vegetable corn (branched salad corn).
Sowing.
Sowing is carried out in prepared soil that has reached the state of “physiological ripeness”: it clumps into a small lump, and does not stick together or crumble into dust. It is important to observe the temperature regime: sowing is carried out in soil with a temperature of 12-15 °C, otherwise the seed can rot (be affected by soil fungi). The depth of seed embedding in the soil is 3-5 cm.
Fertilization.
Fertilizers should be applied before and simultaneously with sowing (nitrate, diammophoska, etc.). Subsequently, additional nutrition is provided as needed, based on the stage of corn development.
Sowing density.
Sowing is sparse compared to grain corn. This ensures sufficient insolation (solar radiation) to the plants, and also allows for more complete pollination of female inflorescences located lower on the stem, which is important for obtaining a full cob.
Sowing scheme (recommended):
- “row spacing” x “distance between plants in a row”
- 70 x 70 cm (you can sow 2-3 seeds per hole)
- 70 x 35 cm (1 seed per hole)
Seedling care.
It is important not to let weeds drown out the seedlings. Young corn plants should be given the opportunity to grow vegetative mass so that they can switch to full-fledged nutrition through photosynthesis.
Potential and existing weeds can be controlled by - soil herbicide, which is applied immediately after sowing (this will slightly inhibit corn seedlings); the dose of herbicide should be carefully calculated; - post-emergence herbicide, selecting it for a certain stage of corn development; - inter-row cultivation (passing the rows with a cutter), preventing damage to the root system of corn;. - manual weeding, if the stage of corn development no longer allows for herbicide application;
If necessary, pesticides (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) should be carefully timed.
Attention: these compounds must be removed from the plants by the time of harvesting the finished product!!!
Remember that harvesting can begin on the 65th day after sowing (see the growing season of each specific hybrid). Accordingly, 25-30 days before this moment, pesticide application should be avoided. That is, such cultivation is possible during the first 30-35 days of the growing season.
Harvesting of the finished product takes place:
- For sugar and sweet corn, at the stage of milky-wax ripeness of the cobs (when the threads (stigmas) have begun to dry out);
- For salad corn, at the stage when the threads (tassels) are just beginning to emerge from the cob wrappers.
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