Growing corn in containers is one of the easiest ways to grow the popular vegetable. It is a beautiful crop that will produce plenty of kernels for a colorful display in the fall. Corn thrives in large pots with good drainage. The correct pot for corn is large and has two drainage holes. Choose a container that will allow it to grow tall. Corn likes plenty of moisture but needs good drainage to avoid mold. It is also better to choose a large pot than one with only one drain hole.
Sweet corn
Sweet corn is easily grown in containers in the same soil and climate conditions as outdoor planting. The best time to sow seeds is when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees. Plant up to six seeds per container. Once seeds have germinated, cover the container with a thin layer of soil and water once it is dry. Plant sweet corn seeds at least 1 inch deep and do not bury them deeper than this. Container corn plants can easily be moved to another location if they outgrow their containers.
Corn requires regular watering to keep them healthy and productive. An inch of water is needed once a week. During the spring and summer, sweet corn needs a little more water. The soil should be evenly moist. It is important to water sweet corn plants frequently, but not too much or else the seedlings will not sprout. You should also water your plants every two days, but avoid over-watering. It is important not to let the soil dry out because this can kill the plants.
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Short-stemmed varieties
Corn plants grow from seeds, so if you’re interested in replicating a plant you’ve seen in a friend’s yard, request a mature cob. This way, you can save the seeds for planting next spring. Make sure the variety you get is an heirloom one, though – hybrid varieties are sterile. Also, remember that corn plants grow faster than their companions.
When growing corn in container, choose a peat-based potting soil. Be sure to use adequate drainage holes for the pots you choose. Plant the corn seeds 6 inches apart along the perimeter of the container, three to four inches away from the rim. Use a fine-mesh planting medium, or you can use newspaper and wood chips. Water regularly and fertilize every 10 to 14 days, depending on climate.
Container varieties
When you’re ready to grow some of your own sweet corn in a container, the first thing you should do is select the right kind of corn for your growing space. The standard, tall varieties of sweet corn won’t do well in containers and can even cross-pollinate. For best results, stick with dwarf varieties that grow five to six feet tall and have smaller ears. These varieties are the best for container gardening. Also, keep in mind that corn can grow up to five feet tall, so it is best to choose varieties that are shorter.
Another option is to grow corn in 5-gallon buckets. These buckets are relatively lightweight and can be easily moved around to ensure that they get proper sunlight exposure and pollination. Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer to help get the seeds off to a great start. A good blend of 10-5-5 fertilizer is recommended for the best results. Once the plants have established, transplant them into the containers and wait for them to grow.
Pollination
There are several ways to promote healthy pollination when growing corn in containers. For example, you can choose to plant a variety that is dwarf, or four to five feet tall. You can also choose to plant a variety that is cross-pollinated. Generally, corn is easy to pollinate by wind. If you are unsure about cross-pollination, just choose one type. Corn can tolerate cross-pollination if you keep them separated from one another.
Ensure that there are plenty of seeds in each container. You should plant about four to six seeds per pot, and they should be spaced about three to four inches apart. If you are not sure about the spacing of the plants, you can plant them six inches apart. Plant them at least three inches away from each other, and make sure to water them properly. Corn needs at least six hours of sunlight a day.
Care
When growing corn in a container, watering is essential, especially in the early days. Fertilizing is best started about ten weeks after planting. A half-cup of water-soluble fertilizer should be mixed with the soil before sowing. Corn grows best in moist soil. Water the plants every other day. When you harvest the corn, be sure to remove any remaining silk, which will make the kernels plump and brown.
Plant super-sweet corn about 400 yards apart and at least two weeks apart. Place corn containers in a sunny spot, away from winds. Corn requires a good amount of nitrogen, so make sure to amend the soil before planting. Fertilize corn plants with aged compost. Make sure to keep the soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8. If the container is not big enough, use large storage tubs. Bricks may also be placed in the bottom to weigh down the container and prevent plants from tipping over.
Harvesting
There are some important factors to remember when harvesting corn grown in containers. Corn requires a large amount of nutrients. The nutrient content in the soil needs to be maintained, as corn quickly absorbs nutrients from the soil. Soil type is important, as corn feeds primarily on nitrogen and phosphorous. Proper soil mix can ensure a healthy yield. If you’re growing corn in containers, make sure to amend the soil as necessary.
When corn is ready for harvesting, it is full and plump. If you puncture the kernels, milky juice should come out. If the juice is clear, the corn is not ready for harvest. Remember that corn quickly loses its sweet flavor after harvest, so harvesting it early is important. Store the harvested corn in its husks until ready to eat. If you’re growing corn in container, make sure you’ve planted it in an appropriate container.
