Corn: features of cultivation in open ground. Corn: features of growing in open ground Combination of corn with other plants

Corn is an unpretentious plant that, even with minimal investment, provides maximum returns.

To get a plentiful harvest and high-quality tasty fruits, you need to choose good quality planting material, follow the rules and recommendations for planting corn, caring for the crop in the open field.

plant description

Herbaceous annual - corn or maize- refers to cereals, but is considered a cereal. The homeland of the plant is the region of modern Mexico and Peru, it came to Russia only in the 18th century during the Russian-Turkish war. Initially, the culture was grown in the southern regions of the Russian Empire.

Unlike other cereals, corn has developed and multi-tiered root and aerial parts. Depending on the variety, individual plants can reach 7 meters. Long leaves protect the inflorescence - cob and panicle. A monoecious plant has male flowers (can be identified by the presence of stamens) and female flowers (there are only pistils).

The plant is so cultivated that corn no longer grows in the wild.

Despite the fact that corn is considered a southern, heat-loving crop, it is also grown in northern latitudes (seedling method), because seed ripening begins at +10 degrees. At the same time, seedlings can even easily endure short frosts.

The vegetation process of maize takes from 3 to 5 months. During this time, the plant forms 1-2 cobs, the average weight of which reaches 500 g, the length is 40-45 cm.

Site selection

Unpretentious culture and lighting- for stable growth, it has enough daylight hours - 12-14 hours. It is meticulously worth approaching only the choice of soil: it should be quite fertile and loose.

It is considered optimal for cereals: loamy or sandy loamy soil with weak or neutral acidity (from 5.5 to 7 pH). Good drainage is important so that water does not stagnate during irrigation, and groundwater does not come close to the soil surface.

If the soil on the site is unsuitable, then it can be enriched with fertilizer. The basic principles of increasing soil fertility, depending on the period of preparation for planting cereals, are summarized in the table.

The plant needs protection from the cold wind, therefore, it is better to plant it under the protection of large trees or near buildings.

Corn preparation before sowing

Germinated seeds or dry seeds are planted in the ground, but this is preceded by a preliminary stage of preparation of planting material.

Before germination, the seeds are first discarded, whole and large are selected. They are sorted into linen or canvas bags and left to warm up in the sun for 3-4 days.

After that, experienced gardeners disinfect planting material for half an hour in a solution of potassium permanganate or formalin, then washed and dried on a thick cloth or paper.

You can plant seeds after this step, but it is more efficient to increase germination and yield by sprouting seeds. To do this, gauze is placed in a container in several layers, moistened to a wet state, and then seeds are placed on the surface. They will take an average of 7 days to germinate.

As soon as the first sprouts appear, the seeds are planted in open ground, it is advisable to do this in the early morning.

Landing in open ground

Sowing maize is carried out in only two ways: seeds and seedlings. The first method is suitable for southern regions with hot, humid summers, and seedlings should be used by gardeners in temperate latitudes.

High germination can be achieved by planting germinated seeds in the sun-warmed earth. Therefore, the optimal time for planting is the end of May, when the temperature during the day reaches +20 degrees.

Cultivation by seedlings is relevant for the northern regions or for obtaining an early harvest (2–3 weeks earlier than when planting seeds). To obtain seedlings, germinated seeds are planted in peat cups or small containers, where the seedlings will be easy to extract later.

The soil for seedlings is best suited loose, slightly acidic, well-drained and fertile. Both ready-made soil substrates from the store and home-made soil from a mixture of leafy soil, peat and drainage in the form of sand are suitable.

Before immersing the germinated planting material, the soil is abundantly moistened. For reliability, 2 seeds are placed in each container at once. Seedlings are planted in open ground along with a clod of earth after 3-4 leaves appear. The planting depth is small - 5-6 cm, then the soil must be watered abundantly.

Landing pattern

The yield largely depends on the corn planting pattern, which is distinguished by 4:

• in two rows
• in one row
• square nest
• conveyor

The easiest and most reliable way is in two rows with a distance of 0.5 m for cross-pollination. In this case, the distance between plants should not exceed 35 cm. When choosing a method, it should be borne in mind that adult plants may suffer from a lack of air circulation with such a dense planting.

When planting in one row, the pits can be located closer - up to 30 cm from each other. The depth of planting seeds in a row is only 10 cm, while to ensure germination, 2 seeds are placed in each hole at once. Otherwise, the landing will look sloppy, with large gaps. The pits are covered with moist soil, and covered with dry mulch on top.

Square socket method dense planting is excellent for the convenience of inter-row cultivation, timely loosening and thinning of crops. At the same time, corn seeds are planted in two or three parallel lines, with a distance between rows of 70 cm and between plants of 35 cm.

Conveyor way plantings are used for continuous harvesting throughout the season. To do this, seeds of different ripening periods are planted in the ground one variety at a time every 15 days.

culture care

Watering corn requires infrequent, but plentiful: the water should soak the earth ball under the plant 15 cm deep. Most of all, the culture needs moisture during the period of laying and ripening of young cobs.

The plant does not tolerate changes in humidity, this ultimately affects the quality of the grain. For maize, loosening the soil to a depth of no more than 5 cm and frequent weeding are important.

It is also worth carrying out hilling- this is important for the shallow roots that corn tends to form. Throwing soil to the trunk, the gardener helps the plant not to fold under the influence of strong winds or under the weight of its own fruits.

Organics are considered the best option for feeding a crop: mullein or chicken droppings diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 10 and 1 to 20, respectively. They are applied 1 month after the appearance of the first shoots.

If organic fertilizers are not applied in time, then when forming 4-5 leaves, you can feed the plant with ammonium nitrate.

Timely applied fertilizers will ensure a high yield of the crop along with a large fruit size.

The main minerals for top dressing:

1. Nitrogen. It is applied when laying inflorescences, after the formation of 6 or 7 leaves
2. Phosphorus. They are applied to the soil when the first shoots have already appeared, and then twice more: during flowering and during the formation of grains on the cob
3. Potassium applied throughout the growing season of maize
4. Calcium added if necessary to accelerate the formation of root hairs

The lack of some element is reflected in the state of the leaves: they turn pale with a lack of nitrogen, become brown and deformed with a deficiency of potassium, and turn purple without a sufficient amount of phosphorus.

After the formation of the 8th leaf, corn begins to grow actively, adding up to 10 cm in height every day. At the same time, lateral shoots begin to appear - stepchildren. They need to be cut with a sharp blade or knife in order for the plant to produce large fruits. If this is not done, then in the fall small inflorescences will form in the axils of the stepchildren.

Pollination

Corn planting yields can be increased using artificial pollination technologies. For this event, choose calm, calm weather.

The technology is simple: pollen from the panicles is shaken off on the cobs that are tied, or with a soft brush they are alternately carried out over the female and male flowers.

Harvest and storage

Harvest time depends on the method of planting (seeds or seedlings) and the maturity of a particular variety (early, medium, late). As a rule, this is the end of August - the beginning of September. Corn on the cob is considered ripe when:

• the upper leaves covering the cob are withered
• stigmas turn brown and dry out
• the wrapper becomes light green
• the grains are tightly closed in rows, have acquired a bright yellow color and, when pressed, emit a whitish milky juice

Ripe fruit

Optimal fruit storage conditions - low temperature (from 0 to +2 degrees), at which the cobs may not deteriorate for up to 3-4 weeks. If you keep the fruits in warm conditions, they will quickly disappear.

When harvesting, you can also choose planting material for the next year. As a rule, seed varieties are planted separately from others to prevent cross-pollination. You need to expect not the milky maturity of the cob, but the waxy one, at which the seeds acquire a bright yellow hue and wrinkle a little.

The cobs are cut and left to ripen for 2 weeks, then the seeds are carefully separated, which are stored without loss of germination for up to 4–5 years.

Joint planting of different crops

The plant perfectly coexists with other crops, while legumes will be the best neighbors for maize: peas, beans, as well as zucchini, sunflowers, pumpkins, melons or potatoes. For these plants, maize serves as both a natural shelter and support. Good predecessors for cereals will be buckwheat, melons and legumes.

Corn and bean seeds can even be planted in the same hole, and then do not thin out the seedlings. Such a mutually beneficial neighborhood is based on the fact that maize receives nitrogen from the soil, which produces beans. She, in turn, uses corn stalks as a support for growth.

The same successful symbiosis of maize with cucumbers and pumpkin, which corn protects from strong winds and does not allow their fruits to lie on the ground. At the same time, partner plants should not be allowed to overtake the cereal, creating unnecessary shading. It is not recommended to plant corn and tomatoes together.

The optimal planting after corn is legumes, beets, carrots, perennial greens or winter grains, leafy vegetables.

Diseases and pests

Although the plant is not demanding for care, it is susceptible to diseases, so the planting of corn should be regularly inspected.

The most dangerous diseases:

1. Bubble head. A fungal disease that develops at low temperatures and excessive levels of humidity. A characteristic sign is oval-shaped swelling in the affected areas.
2. dusty smut. In hot and dry weather, it affects the cobs - they turn black and curl
3. Diplodia(dry rot). Appears as black dots on grains and cob stalks
4. Helminthosporiasis. It goes by fast. The affected area is inflorescences and leaves on which brown spots appear

Harm to the culture is also caused by insect pests. They are fought with the help of drugs Decis, Karate Zeon, Danadim, Deltamethrin.

The danger is:

• oatmeal swedish fly
• stem moth
• root aphid
• meadow moth
• wireworm
• cotton scoop

To prevent the appearance of diseases and insects, it is necessary to observe preventive measures:

1. Carry out deep tillage mechanically
2. Disinfect planting material
3. Stick to crop rotation rules

Kinds

There are only 8 types of cereals, while only 5 of them have production value:

1. Sugar. It has received the widest distribution and is most often used in breeding due to the milky and sweet taste of the cobs. Mostly young grains are eaten.

2. starchy. It is characterized by a high content of starch and is also called flour or soft. It is used for the production of molasses and cornmeal, and is well processed. Grains are large, white or red

3. dentate. On the cob are large rich yellow grains. Differs in resistance to diseases and high productivity. It is used as a feed and industrial raw material, but it is also used for food.

4. Indian. Another name is silicon. An early ripening, starchy species, from the grains of which corn flakes and grits are produced. A characteristic feature is grains of different sizes, which are white, light yellow, and even almost black.

5. bursting. Mainly used in the food industry for the production of popcorn

6. wax. Least valuable species. It has poor resistance to adverse effects and gives small yields. The grains are white and yellow, covered with a wax film

Another 2 species (filmous and sharp-grained) have no food or industrial value.

Varieties

Of greatest interest to gardeners are sustainable productive varieties: Lakomka, Juicy, Spirit, Dobrynya, Hopi, Early Golden Sundance.

Sweet varieties have become very popular:

1. Strawberry corn. The grains are red, the cobs look like crimson big cones. It has a pleasant taste, but is also used in confectionery as a natural dye, and in dried form as a decorative element.
2. Bonduelle. Sweet, early ripe sugar variety. Unpretentious in care, has an excellent taste, is used for eating, freezing and preserving
3. Lakomka 121. An early ripening variety, very sweet and tasty. It is characterized by high resistance to diseases and pests.

For eating and for homemade popcorn, it is advised to grow the maize variety of the same name - Popcorn. In the grains of this variety, the content of fat and starch is increased, the seeds have the property of exploding at high temperatures.

Suitable varieties for different regions

Depending on the weather and climatic conditions of growth, for each specific region choose different varieties with different indicators of resistance and germination.

So, in Siberia with a harsh continental climate, the cultivation of maize varieties will be successful: Spirit, Farmer, Lakomka 121, Bylina, Jubilee. These varieties endure extreme weather changes and cold winds, and ripen faster.

For the Moscow region, it is better to select varieties of early ripening, which are best planted with seedlings. A balanced choice will be the varieties: Gourmand Belogorya, Triple Joy, Anava, Spirit.

In central Russia and the Urals, a good harvest can be harvested by planting a plant of varieties: Pioneer of the North, White Night and Tiraspolskaya-33.

In the Leningrad region, temperatures above +10 degrees are rarer than necessary for the full maturation of maize, so the cobs in this region must be harvested in a state of milky ripeness. The best choice would be early ripening varieties: White Night, Early Pearl, Firstborn, Early Sugar.

In June, you can engage in maize on 5, 6, 13, you should refrain from work - 6 and 17.

In July, a favorable period for work is 3, 11, 16. Unfavorable - 2 and 17. Late varieties in August can be practiced on 6 and 8, avoiding work in the garden is 1, 13, 15.

Where can I buy

It is better to buy corn seeds for planting on the site in specialized stores or online. Planting material tolerates long-term transportation by mail and storage without losing the germination and taste of the fruit.

Seed manufacturers offer varieties with different characteristics of firmness, ripening and fruit taste.

Agricultural holdings most often sell seeds of hybrid corn:

• Dow Seeds (Dow Agro Science);
• Pioneer (DuPont);
• Syngenta (Syngenta);
• Gran 220, Tesla (All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Breeding);
• Corypheus, Clifton (FAC).

The basic rules for preparing corn for planting with seeds and seedlings, planting patterns and care features are collected for clarity in short videos:

Corn is a tasty and healthy plant, which, with due care and effort, every gardener can grow in his summer cottage. The reward for labor will be a bountiful harvest of this southern crop, which can be obtained even in a temperate climate. In addition, the crop can be cultivated for silage and pet food.

VIDEO: SOWING CORN IN OPEN GROUND

VIDEO: SUBTLETS OF PLANTING CORN SEEDLINGS IN OPEN GROUND!

Planting corn in open ground: how to get a good harvest with minimal care (25 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

Corn, as a valuable protein treat, has a lot of fans. Few people can refuse the sweet cob. You can grow this culture in the country. At the same time, she will not require undue attention to herself, and with a lack of space on the site, it is not necessary to allocate a separate bed for her.

If you plant corn in the garden in compliance with the rules and deadlines, then in the second half of summer (with the onset of milky ripeness) you can delight your household with a healthy and tasty dessert.

Biological features of the species

Before you start growing a new crop on your site, it is worth studying its biological features in order to better understand the preferences of the plant. Corn is a tall cereal crop that forms a deeply penetrating root system. It belongs to heat and light-loving plants.

Sowing should be carried out in soil warmed up to 10-12 ºC. The vegetation period from germination to milky-wax ripeness, depending on the variety, is 70-120 days. In private horticulture, early ripening varieties are grown.

Harvesting of cobs is carried out when the upper fibers darken. If you unfold such an ear, then the grains will be yellow and poured, but still soft enough, and when pressed with a fingernail, juice will be released. Harvesting is best done in several stages to prevent overripe grains. Overripe cobs after cooking remain tough and lose their taste. Plucked cobs are not subject to long-term storage (no more than 2 days at room temperature and no more than 20 at zero), but they can be canned and frozen.

For the formation of a crop and a powerful vegetative mass, corn consumes a lot of nutrients and thereby depletes the soil, therefore, when growing it, it is necessary to apply organic matter and mineral fertilizers.

Modern hybrids with a short growing season and high cold resistance can be successfully grown in the northern regions. But, if in the south fertile and moisture-intensive loams are preferred for corn, then in the north, quickly warmed sandy loamy soils are more suitable for it.

Growing seedlings of corn

In regions with late spring and short summer, transplanting corn is practiced, which allows you to get a harvest a few weeks earlier. Seeds are best sown in individual peat pots or cassettes with 45 cm 3 cells. As a substrate, a universal soil mixture of garden soil, humus and sand is suitable.

Seedlings can be grown in a film greenhouse or greenhouse, subject to measures to accelerate the warming of the soil. Planting corn for seedlings is carried out with hatched seeds. To do this, the seeds treated with fungicide are laid out on wet gauze or filter paper a few days before planting.

In addition to the described methods of growing seedlings in the ground, resourceful gardeners came up with the idea of ​​growing seedlings without soil in the so-called paper rolls.

The timing depends on the region, on average, seedlings should appear a month before the planned landing in a permanent place. Seedling care consists of moderate watering and two top dressings with liquid universal fertilizers.

The root system of corn is sensitive to damage, so when planting corn in open ground, breakage of the roots should be avoided. Some gardeners who have experience in seedling cultivation of corn in the country claim that direct sowing in the ground gives the best result. This opinion was formed due to the sensitivity of corn to transplantation.

If the seedlings have outgrown, grown in a common box, did not receive phosphorus in top dressing, or were planted too early, then you should not expect a good harvest. As with any other culture, the seedling method requires more time and labor.

When to plant corn outdoors?

The timing of planting corn directly into the ground with a seedless method is determined by the region of cultivation and the prevailing weather conditions. Since this plant is sensitive even to low positive temperatures (seeds will not germinate at temperatures below 10 ºC, and young plants will stop growing when it gets cold), do not rush to plant.

In the south of Russia, sowing is recommended in early May. For Central Russia and the Moscow region, the dates are shifted by 2-3 weeks. As a rule, summer residents adhere to the general rule for all heat-loving vegetable crops. Modern cold-resistant hybrids can be sown earlier, but in such cases, young seedlings may need temporary shelter (film stretched over arches or covering material). In the Moscow region, two-week-old seedlings are often used for planting, which are planted after return frosts and quickly begin to grow.

Vegetable corn can also be grown in Siberia. Here, the conditions allow you to get a crop of milky-wax ripeness, but the ripening of the cobs does not occur. Sowing is carried out in the last days of May or early June. At the same time, experts do not recommend the use of germinated or swollen seeds. It is enough to sow high-quality seeds on the ridges of a well-warmed area. Black agrofibre, which attracts the sun's rays, will help speed up the warming of the soil.

In the Urals and the Far East, summer residents practice greenhouse cultivation of corn, allocating narrow strips around the perimeter for it. Sowing in the greenhouse can be carried out already in early May. If it is possible to use additional lighting, then the seeds are sown in April for seedlings at home.

Rules for planting corn

Corn is a specific plant. On the one hand, it is drought-resistant and unpretentious, and on the other hand, its agricultural technology has many subtleties. Many growing problems can be avoided if you know how to properly plant corn in your summer cottage.

First of all, you must follow the recommended landing pattern. Firstly, because corn is a cross-pollinated plant and a certain arrangement in several rows is required for the full set of cobs. Secondly, because corn is very photophilous and does not tolerate even the slightest shading from its fellows. Thirdly, because at the first stage of growth, corn gives a small increase and unnecessarily rare plantings can suffer from overdrying of the row spacing.

In private gardening, the following planting scheme is used: row sowing in holes of two seeds with an interval of 35 cm, in 2-3 rows with a distance between rows of 40-50 cm, or square-nesting sowing with a distance between plants of 45 cm (on 1 sq. meter should accommodate approximately 9 plants).

The sowing depth is determined by two factors: soil moisture and seed condition (sprouted or dry). If you plant swollen seeds with sprouts in warm and moist soil, then it is enough to deepen them by 3 - 4 cm. Dry seeds need to be deepened more (by 5 - 6 cm).

For summer cottages, the joint planting of corn with other vegetables is relevant. It goes well with cucumbers, pumpkins, beans and beans. At the same time, if optimal conditions for the growth of two crops are created, then an increase in their yield is noted.

A negative growing experience can be attributed to non-compliance with two important rules:

• it is necessary to save the required feeding area for each plant (if you plant corn as a compactor, then no one will have enough food and sun and you risk being left without a crop at all);
• fertilizing with liquid organic fertilizers and mineral complexes is mandatory, since joint plantings increase the load on the soil.

Corn serves as a good support for cucumber lashes, so holes for them can be made on both sides of the row at a distance of 40 cm. But heavy pumpkin vines can injure corn shoots, so it is better to place corn around the perimeter of the pumpkin bed at a distance of 50 cm and follow the direction whips.

Beans and beans can be sown together with corn, but subject to mandatory thinning so that one representative of the species remains in one hole. It is noted that with joint plantings, the likelihood of developing diseases is reduced.

And the last point - you should not plant corn along the fence or in the shade of the house. This culture is very demanding on lighting. If you want to treat your loved ones with sweet cobs, then allocate a place for her on the sunniest side of the site.

For sowing, it is necessary to use varieties released in a particular region or, ideally, varieties of local selection. For Siberia, the Urals and the Far East, only cold-resistant early ripe hybrids with high yields are suitable. In the Moscow region, you can grow mid-season varieties and even get your own seeds for sowing next year. You can also experiment with unusual varieties that are considered decorative.

A group of cold-resistant and early ripe hybrids and varieties of sweet corn: Lakomka 121, Golden Fleece, Spirit and Dobrynya. In Central Russia, you can grow varieties and hybrids with an average ripening period (80-90 days): Early Golden 401 and Sundance. The Ice Nectar variety with a late ripening period in the conditions of the Moscow region gives a good harvest of sweet cobs of milky ripeness, and it is quite possible to obtain seeds in favorable years.

Caring for vegetable corn has some peculiarities. Despite the fact that it is a drought-resistant species, during a long drought and during the flowering and crop formation period, it needs abundant watering, followed by loosening of the row spacing.

The vegetable variety is prone to the formation of numerous stepsons, which take away some of the nutrients for themselves and prevent the plant from forming full-fledged cobs. Therefore, it is recommended to remove all side branches, leaving only 2-4 main cobs.

During the season, corn should be spudded twice and 2-3 top dressings should be carried out. The first top dressing is carried out at the beginning of active growth with organic fertilizer (infusion of mullein or bird droppings), during the flowering period, plants are fed with mineral fertilizers. If, after planting seedlings or emergence of seedlings, there is a threat of a cold snap, then foliar top dressing with phosphorus will reduce stress and prevent plants from stopping in growth.

Corn does not have to be planted in a vegetable garden, it can also be placed in a recreation area. It will become an exotic design element and will take only a few square meters.

Corn is an annual herbaceous plant that can grow up to three meters in height. This crop is grown to produce cobs with edible grains. It contains many nutrients, enriched with vitamins and minerals. Mature crops are used in cooking and for feeding livestock, as well as as fertilizer.

A good harvest depends on properly selected seeds, namely on their varietal, sowing and productive properties. Therefore, you should pay attention to such indicators as:

• viability (ability to adapt to certain conditions),
• productivity (high yield).

When choosing corn seeds, you need to rely on the following indicators:

• ripeness group - for the climatic conditions of most regions in Russia, mid-season varieties are best suited;
• moisture return of grain, since after full maturity they quickly dry out;
• resistance to diseases, harmful insects, drought and low temperatures.

Hybrid varieties of corn have good quality indicators. Their productivity in many respects exceeds high-quality crops. This is especially true for first-generation hybrids. They are more resistant to various negative environmental influences that can harm the plant. Hybrids of the second generation are inferior in this indicator.

In order to buy good seeds and not fall for a fake, it is better to purchase them not through intermediaries, but directly from manufacturers. For large purchases, this will help save money.

Sowing in open ground

When climatic features do not allow growing corn immediately in open ground, it is pre-sprouted. Otherwise, it does not have time to ripen and give a good harvest. This method is also used in order to get the harvest ahead of schedule. Seedlings are grown by choosing the right soil and a certain time. For each variety of corn, you need to choose your soil, as well as fertilizers.

Seedlings should be planted adhering to the temperature regime, about a month after the last frost. Initially in greenhouse conditions without additional heating and provide irrigation with warm water.

If climatic conditions allow growing corn without prior germination, it is planted immediately in open ground.

For this, the following conditions must be met:

1. The soil should be warmed up to 12 degrees Celsius.
2. Before planting, nitrogen fertilizers (potassium salt, superphosphates) are applied to the soil at a rate of about 200 grams per 10 square meters.
3. To accelerate the germination of seeds, they are heated for 4-5 days at a temperature of about 33-35 degrees, then soaked in warm water.
4. Sowing begins in late April - early May, planting is done in rows to a depth of 6-7 centimeters. Under favorable conditions, corn germinates after 10 days.

Where to plant

A sunny location with protection from the winds is ideal for growing corn. The soil should be light and moist. Before sowing, it is loosened and fertilized with minerals. Maize precursors can be:

• tomatoes,
• legumes,
• cabbage.

It goes well with pumpkin and zucchini.

Watering rules

Corn is a crop that loves water. It is especially plentiful to water it in hot weather. Water should be warm, not less than 25 degrees. Watering from a hose is allowed, but in order not to harm the root system, reduce the distance of the jet from the ground or lay the hose on the ground. Drip irrigation is considered the most favorable method. In this case, water enters directly into the root zone in small portions using special droppers. When using this method:

1. A good harvest is achieved.
2. An optimal moisture condition is maintained, which allows the corn to receive enough oxygen.
3. The soil is not waterlogged.
4. The roots develop quickly and are saturated with nutrients. Fertilizers dissolve in water and enter the roots, which is ideal in dry climates.
5. Leaves of plants are not moistened, which protects against diseases.

Care

After planting, corn grows at a slow pace, so it will benefit from loosening. The first feeding of the culture is carried out when 6 full-fledged leaves grow.

After the appearance of the first node, the plant quickly grows and by the beginning of flowering it grows up to 10 cm per day. Active growth slows down to form ears. To get a good harvest, you must follow the following rules:

1. Ensure good and proper watering. The plant is drought tolerant, but to get a juicy harvest, you need to provide enough moisture for consumption, it is especially important to observe this condition during the ripening period.
2. To form a powerful and healthy root system, the earth must be loosened between the rows. As a rule, this is done after watering. The higher the growth, the smaller the depth of loosening. For the first time, the soil is loosened even before the appearance of sprouts to a depth of no more than 3-4 cm.
3. Feed the soil with fertilizer. Growing corn without complementary foods is almost impossible. The first fertilizers are applied to the soil before sowing.

Pests and diseases

• Bubble smut
• Root and stem rot
• wireworms
• swedish flies
• Southern gray weevil
• corn moth

When to Harvest

Harvest time depends on the variety and destination. If harvested incorrectly, there is a risk of losing most of the crop. The following are the main stages for determining the ripeness of a crop:

1. Dairy - at this moment the grains have a light, slightly yellowish tint, the grains are juicy and sweet. The leaves on the cob fit tightly, it is very difficult to remove them. This corn is used for eating raw or for cooking.
2. Waxy maturity - the grains are already less soft, but not yet hard enough. They have a soft yellow color. Corn can also be used as food.
3. Biological maturity - the grains become harder, acquire a bright saturated color. The leaves on the cob are easily detached, dark brown hairs are visible at the end of the cob. This corn is used for cooking, conservation and animal feed.

The harvest of corn falls on the second half of July and can continue until the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. You need to remove the culture before the onset of frost.

Where and how to store

Corn is not only a tasty and healthy delicacy, but also an integral component in cooking and cattle breeding.

It is stored in different ways, depending on the method of processing and the purpose of its use.

For livestock feed

Use grains, peeled from the cob, in a dry form. Storage conditions: cool dry place.

For eating

Corn is used for canning. In this form, it can be stored for up to 2 years without special conditions.

Drying grain is used to prepare cereals. By crushing. There is also a method of drying with the cob, but the taste of cooked corn will be less intense.

Fresh corn does not last long even in a cool place. If moisture gets in, the fruits begin to deteriorate.

Ripe fruits can be frozen. In this way, almost pristine taste and their benefits can be preserved.

Boiled corn is well stored in a vacuum or airtight container.

So I decided to pay my respects to her too. For me, corn on the cob is a childhood treat.

The birthplace of corn is America, where it was cultivated by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. In Russia, corn has taken root for a long time and firmly (a well-known general secretary made a considerable contribution to the spread of this crop). On an industrial scale, in our country it is grown mainly for livestock feed, but it is also found everywhere in gardens and dachas. Of course, varieties for humans are distinguished by more delicate grains.

• The corn cultivated in our time is so "domesticated" that it is not capable of growing in the wild.
• It is monoecious and has dioecious inflorescences, cross-pollinated.
• corn is powerful, goes to a depth of 1.5 m. In addition, supporting roots are formed on the stem underground, which tightly fix the plant, and also help to absorb and retain water and minerals.
• Corn stalks are erect, from 60 cm to 6 m tall.
• The corn inflorescence is a complex spike, the male inflorescences are in the form of a panicle at the top of the stem, and the female inflorescences are in the axils of the leaves.

This complex spike is the corn cob. Its mass can be different, on average from 35 to 500 g.

planting corn

For me, any plant comes down to digging up the earth, breaking it with a rake, sowing, and that's it. But still, in order to get a higher yield, you have to follow some rules, we'll talk about them.

More than once I noticed that the fields of corn alternate with the fields. So it was in the grandmother's village with a "live" collective farm. Therefore, I can safely say that maize precursors can be winter, tilled, legumes, even spring wheat. In the garden plot, the predecessors can be, and.

To grow corn in the garden, you need to choose a sunny, warm place for it. Corn grows on a variety of but prefers well-warmed lungs with good water content. Does not tolerate heavy lowland soils with poor water outflow.

To get good harvests the soil must be fertile. To do this, in the autumn digging, add organic (rotted) and phosphorus-potassium according to the proportions on the package for the number of meters intended for planting. In the spring, the planting area is usually raked over to break up the crust and clods of earth.

Planting corn directly into the ground

• Corn is planted in the soil warmed up to +12 °С, the day before planting, you can make at the rate of 200 g per 10 square meters. m. Immediately before planting, the soil to a depth of about 10 cm.
• To speed up seed germination, they need to be heated for about 5 days at a temperature of about +35 ° C, after which you can soak them in warm water.
• Start planting corn at the end of April to a depth of about 7 cm. In field conditions, seedlings of corn will appear already on the 12th day.
• In garden plots, corn is best drill. Between rows, take about 60 cm, between plants in a row - about 40 cm.

I tend to sow corn at the edge of the ridge on the windy side (drawstring planting), in which case my corn is planted closely and this does not work well for the crop.

Is it a matter square socket method, in this case, I put 3 grains in each spilled hole. After I sprinkle with slightly damp earth and dry earth. After the seedlings have appeared, I leave the strongest seedling of them, and break through the rest.

For corn pipeline method is also acceptable when varieties with different ripening periods are planted at intervals of 15 days. In this case, the harvest will be continuous throughout the summer.

Many hybrids and varieties of corn will germinate when the temperature is around +10 °C. Some familiar amateur gardeners plant seedlings in order to get a crop in a shorter time without worrying about.

Planting corn for seedlings

Disembarkation usually goes seedlings at the age of about 30 days.

1. In the beginning of May seeds are sown. It is best to use humus-earth bags or peat-earthen. Because the seedlings will be immediately isolated, and during transplantation, the risk of damage to the root system will be eliminated as much as possible. It is because of damage to the roots that corn does not like to be transplanted. When planting corn seedlings in containers, you need the root system to fill the container.
2. Already June 15 you can plant corn seedlings in open ground, the sprout should have no more than 3 true leaves.

Plant the corn a little deeper than the soil in which the seedlings were grown. After planting, water and mulch the soil.

Corn Care

Corn responds well to and, but mullein, as well as corn, is an excellent food. I had kuryak (chicken manure) on hand, I can say that the harvest turned out to be very solid. Top dressing is done when the corn seedlings already have 6 full leaves. In addition to organics, it is possible to add ammonium nitrate between the rows in liquid form, and.

• The first time after planting, corn grows slowly, so weeding and loosening will benefit her. You need to loosen between the rows about 3 times per growing season. The higher the plant, the shallower the depth of loosening, so as not to damage the adventitious roots.
• I have seen gardeners many times pollinate corn plantings, for this they pluck male flowers (sultans at the top of the stem) and shake them over flowering cobs (female flowers).
• Corn develops side shoots. Them need to be removed so as not to delay the formation of young cobs and the growth of the plant.
• Maize and watering are also welcome, it is especially necessary during the period of initiation and ripening of cobs, but excessive watering is undesirable.

Types of corn

So, corn belongs to the cereal family and is grown as an annual plant. During this time of selection and natural selection, modern corn has undergone many changes and is strikingly different from that grown in 17th century America. But all varieties of corn cultivated in our time belong to three main types.

Common corn, or sowing (Zea Mays)

The most common and familiar to us corn. This main view has subspecies, which are different from each other by the morphological features of the grains:

• - the most beloved in our country, most often grown and is the progenitor of many beautiful hybrids. When corn reaches full maturity, it accumulates a large amount of sugars. The surface of the grains is wrinkled, if cut, it is vitreous. It is used in the canning industry.

• - the grains of this subspecies are distinguished by the dullness of the peel and smoothness. When the grain is cut, its structure resembles wax.

• hulled corn- this species is not used in industry. Not only the cob, but also the grains are covered with individual wrappers.
• popcorn- when heated, the grains of this corn burst. Popcorn owes its appearance to this species. The grain surface is smooth and shiny. It has two subgroups: rice and barley. The difference is in their grains, and they resemble pearl barley and rice flour in taste.
• starchy corn- a shiny, smooth powdery grain distinguishes this subspecies. It is made from cornstarch.

• - the shape of the grain resembles a tooth, at the top there is a depression. The main type of corn grown in the United States. Used for livestock feed.

• flint corn- the wrinkled grain of this subspecies can be either yellow or white and consists almost entirely of hard starch. From above, the grain is rounded, without depressions. Flakes and corn sticks are made from it.

When this subspecies was crossed with dent corn, a hybrid was obtained half-tooth corn.

• Corn, sharp-grained, or nosed (Zea rostrata)- not common, not of great value.
• Corn Caragua (Zea Karagua)- bred in North America for fodder purposes. Reaches very large sizes.

Varieties and hybrids of common corn

• Corn "Spirit"

If you grow this variety with seedlings, then plant it in open ground in the garden at the end of May, after 2 months it will ripen and give you a good harvest. Suitable for almost all regions of Russia. The grains are bright yellow, large, collected in cobs about 20 cm. The plant itself is about 2 m in height.

Corn variety "Spirit"

This is a relatively new hybrid of sweet corn, the taste is sweet, tender, the flesh is not devoid of juiciness, which is especially attractive in this hybrid.

• Sundance corn

A low variety, two cobs about 20 cm long are formed on one plant, the cobs themselves are about 5 cm in diameter. Sowed at the end of May, it will take about 70 to 95 days to reach full maturity.

Sundance corn

The grains are slightly elongated, yellow. Great for canning and eating fresh.

• Corn "Dobrynya"

Hybrid with early maturity. It is planted in May, at a stable temperature of 10 °C. This hybrid has a sweet taste and large ears. Grows in any soil, disease resistant. Plant height is about 170 cm. Cobs are formed at a height of about 70 cm.

Corn variety "Dobrynya"

Suitable for cooking, freezing, canning and fresh consumption. On the 70th day after planting, you can already collect the cobs.

• Hopi corn

Unusual in its black and purple color. It was first seen among the Hopi Indians, hence the interesting name. The taste of Hopi is unusually gentle and sugary, with a pronounced nutty flavor. It is safe to say that this is a very ancient variety that was supplanted by the yellow or orange corn we are used to. Hopi grains give an unusual color anthocyanins with antioxidant properties

Purple corn variety "Hopi"

Hopi corn is widely used in mixtures, cosmetology and for the preparation of corn, and is also part of the Peruvian drink Chicha Morado.

Hopi has many varieties ranging in color from dark purple to red.

One of the varieties of corn "Hopi"

In the registry, the main varieties of this corn are indicated by three primary colors: "blue-gray", "hard blue", "standard blue"

I wanted to plant such a curiosity at home, I even contracted the laying, a bag of such outlandish corn in Russia costs about 600 rubles. for 200 g. It was proposed for cultivation in Russia, so I will assume that it can take root in the middle lane.

Friends, tell us what kind of corn do you grow in your country?

Corn is an annual plant with a powerful stem and root system. Depending on the cultivar, the culture reaches from 4 to 7 m in height. Corn is grown everywhere: in cold regions, early ripe undersized varieties are grown. In the article we will tell you how and in what time frame corn is planted in the open field, we will give recommendations to gardeners.

Corn is usually grown in two ways:

1. seeds;
2. seedlings.

Growing periods vary depending on the climatic conditions of a particular region. In dry and hot summers, from 5 to 9 ears are formed on one corn plant.

Corn is a sun-loving, heat-loving crop. Differs in unpretentiousness in leaving. However, to get a healthy plant with rich fruiting, corn should be grown on the following types of soil:

• sandy;
• loamy;
• peat;
• with a neutral reaction;
• subacid.

Corn can also be grown on poor, acidic and podzolic soils, given the recommendations of experienced gardeners:

• From autumn, add humus or compost to the soil on the site with the calculation of one bucket of organic matter per m 2.
• In the spring, a month before planting, add dolomite flour and wood ash to the soil. For each square meter of planting, 500 g of dolomite flour and 1.5 kg of wood ash are added.
• 2 weeks before planting, the soil should be weeded and a complex mineral fertilizer applied.
• Before planting, 400-500 g of humus must be added under each plant.

Experts note that corn does not take root well in lowland areas with a weak outflow of water.

Tip #1Corn is a backdoor plant that can be planted as a protection for more tender crops from withering winds and cold drafts. However, corn itself needs protection from northern winds, so it is recommended to plant it under the cover of more powerful trees. You can protect corn from cold and gusty northerly winds by planting the crop near buildings.

Pre-sowing preparation of corn grains

Sow corn seeds in open ground in a dry and germinated form. Before sowing, like other plant seeds, corn grains are sorted. Select the highest quality seeds (large and whole grains). Before proceeding with the germination of seeds, the selected seed is placed in special linen bags and heated in the sun for 3-4 days. The sun-warmed seeds are ready for germination.

It is not difficult to germinate corn seeds if you follow the step-by-step instructions:

• Seeds are disinfected in a solution of formalin or potassium permanganate. The seed disinfection procedure lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.
• The seeds are removed from the solution and washed in warm water. The washed seeds are laid out to dry on thick paper or cloth.
• In a wide flat container, gauze fabric is laid out in several layers and, using a spray bottle, the gauze is abundantly moistened with warm water.
• Seeds are evenly spread on the surface of wet gauze and left for 5-6 days to germinate.
• Sprouted seeds should be planted the same day. The optimal time of day for sowing seeds is in the morning.

Only those seeds that have hatched are suitable for sowing.

Tip #2 If sowing is planned with dry seeds, then it is enough to warm such seeds in the sun and disinfect in a formalin solution.

Features of sowing corn seeds in open ground: timing, methods and sowing schemes

Sow corn in several ways, which differ from each other in the planting pattern:

1. "Double row" - two rows are formed on the same bed at a distance of 50 cm of the hole type. Holes are formed at a distance of 30-40 cm, depending on the variety of corn. Sow seeds to a depth of 10-12 cm, depending on the friability of the soil.
2. "Single row" - a row of a hole type is formed on the bed. Sow seeds in holes at a distance of 30-35 cm. Planting depth 8-10 cm, depending on the type of soil.
3. "Row row" - the beds are formed according to a square-nested pattern. Seeds are sown in rows at a distance of 30 cm. The distance between rows is 60 cm.

In the table, we consider the main disadvantages and advantages of the above methods of planting corn:

Landing methods	Advantages	disadvantages
double row	The best planting method for cross-pollination of plants.	Mature plants form a dense planting, which prevents the free movement of air flow.
Single Lane	Tight fit. Save space on site. Ease of thinning and care. Opportunity to grow other green crops between corn.	With low seed germination, planting looks inferior, with gaps.
line row	Tight fit. Ease of thinning and care.	Requires more space on site compared to other planting patterns

The above methods and schemes for sowing corn grains are also suitable for planting seedlings of this crop. In order for the seedlings to be guaranteed, I put corn grains in the planting holes in 2-3 pieces. With any planting scheme, the grains are embedded in moist soil, on top of which mulch is laid out.

Features of growing seedlings of corn: growing seedlings in closed and open ground

Grow seedlings of corn for an earlier harvest. Seedling corn is cultivated mainly in cold regions. Sprouted seeds are sown in planting containers in mid-April. Peat cups or small plastic cups can be used as planting containers.

For growing seedlings in plastic cups, the soil mixture should be light, loose with a neutral reaction. Such a soil substrate can be purchased ready-made, as well as mixed with peat and sand. Grow seedlings as follows:

• Germinate seeds, prepare containers and soil mixture.
• Fill the containers with the substrate and pour abundantly with warm water.
• Sprouted seeds are laid in a moist soil mixture to a depth of 3-4 cm. It is best to put 2 pieces of seeds in each planting container.
• Planting containers with sowing are cleaned in a warm place.

Transplant seedlings in open ground as soon as 2-3 leaves appear. Seedlings are planted in open ground with a clod of earth to a depth of 6-7 cm. After planting seedlings, the soil is abundantly watered with warm water.

With the correct laying of seeds and the maintenance of containers with sowing, the seeds will sprout in about 15-20 days.

Basic outdoor corn care

Corn is not whimsical in care. The main activities for the care of culture are:

• Frequent weeding and loosening of the soil. The depth of loosening is not more than 3-4 cm.
• Timely watering. Watering is carried out rarely, but plentifully.

Corn is watered with a drip method. The main condition is soil moisture 10-15 cm deep.

• Top dressing with organic fertilizers. The first feeding is carried out after 15 days, as soon as shoots appear. Top dressing is used in liquid form: the mullein is bred in warm water in a ratio of 10:1. The second top dressing is carried out as soon as 5-6 leaves appear. Young shoots are fed with ammonium nitrate in liquid form. The third feeding is carried out after 2-3 weeks with mineral fertilizers, which include phosphorus-potassium substances.

The lack of certain nutrients in the plant manifests itself in the form of a change in the color of the leaves. So, for example, with a lack of nitrogenous substances, corn leaves turn pale. With a lack of phosphorus, a purple hue appears on the leaves of the plant. With a lack of potassium, the leaves are deformed, the color of the leaves fades or becomes brown.

Disease resistant maize varieties

Hybrid maize varieties are resistant to major diseases. Practically not affected by mosaic, rust, helminthosporiasis. Consider the common varieties of corn that are characterized by high yields, sweet taste and the ability to grow in any type of soil:

• Sundance;
• "Spirit";
• "Dobrynya";
• "Gourmet";
• "Juicy".

Heavy equipment and tools for growing corn on an industrial scale

It is difficult to imagine the cultivation of corn on an industrial scale without heavy equipment. For industrial purposes, fodder and sweet corn are planted. Practice growing hybrid varieties of this crop. Planting is sown by the method of conveyor production, namely, sown in batches with an interval of 12-15 days. Corn is grown using agricultural equipment - a tractor and implements such as a seeder and a cultivator.

The table shows the leading brands of tractor manufacturers suitable for growing corn:

Equipment brand	Technical features	Advantages
Tractor MTZ-80 + seeder SUPN 8	Permissible speed 8 km/h. Sowing corn on 150 hectares. High stability technology. Automated seeding control.
MTZ-82 + seeder SUPN 8	Permissible speed is 5-6 km/h. Sowing corn on 120 hectares. High stability technology. Automated seeding control.	The ability to adjust the depth of sowing. Equipped with necessary equipment.

For zero tillage, a universal seeder is used, which is adjustable to a certain sowing depth, and is also capable of removing weeds.

Analysis of fertilizers for planting corn on various types of soil

Light loamy, peaty, slightly acidic and neutral soils are best suited for growing corn. Unsuitable soils are heavy and dense, with clay and stony subsoil. In the table, we consider the types of soils and fertilizers that can improve soil structure:

Soil types	Types of fertilizers	Fertilizer grades	Region
Sour	Phosphorite flour	"LiveFlora", "Kostroma Chemical Plant"
Sandy sandy loam	Organic fertilizers - manure, bird droppings	"Fasco"	Moscow region, Leningrad region
loamy clayey	Mineral fertilizers - Ammophos, Nitrophos	"Siberian Organics" RusAgroChem	Moscow region, Leningrad region
swampy	Organic fertilizers - compost	"Bioud"	Siberia, Volga region, Ural, Moscow region (Eastern region)
	Phosphate-potassium fertilizers	PolyChem, Permagrobusiness
Podzolic	Humus	"Vermicompost", "GreenPick"	Siberia, Ural, Volga region, Moscow region
	Azofoska, Ammophos	PhosAgro

Common mistakes when growing corn

Experienced gardeners identify several common mistakes that are often made when growing corn:

1. For sowing or planting seedlings, low-lying places on the site are chosen.
2. Landing is carried out in heavy, dense clay or stony soil.
3. Sowing grains and planting seedlings of corn is carried out in cold soil, the temperature of which is below 9°C.

Frequently asked Questions

Consider the most common questions from gardeners that arise when growing corn:

Question number 1. The best predecessors of corn?

Corn grows well and bears fruit after growing melons, cereals and legumes. Experts note that corn develops well after planting potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage.

Question number 2. What plants can be planted with corn?

Squash, zucchini and cucumbers can be planted next to corn. Often beans and lettuce are planted between corn.

Question number 3. What can reduce the yield and weight of grains in corn?

The thickening of plantings significantly reduces the formation of cobs, and also impairs photosynthesis, which leads to the development of small grains.

Question number 4. When should you pinch corn?

Lateral shoots are formed due to the high concentration of nitrogen substances in the soil. Shoots are removed during the period of active growth of corn. This period is due to a daily increase in growth, an average of 4-5 cm.