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Yet more on sweetcorn

• Message 1. 

  Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Monday, 23rd August 2010

  The first couple of cobs were OK but not quite as they should have been re-flavour. Now that could be that they were not quite ready,they were very pale so I`m going to leave them another few days.
  
  But..this year the field maize for cattle is now in the field by my garden-less than 25 yards from the start of the field to my corn.
  
  Should we/me? be worried about cross pollination between cattle fodder and the enhanced sugar types I assume most of us grow?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by realfood (U13916672) on Monday, 23rd August 2010

  Yes, indeed. The sugar-enhanced genes are overpowered by the common maize genes and the resulting cobs are likely to be floury and lose their sweetness.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by BigDave (U3975543) on Monday, 23rd August 2010

  Only if you want to keep seed for next year.....If you save your own seed it is best to keep plants like corn (ie) wind pollenated under some form of cover as this will give you ture seed....if there ture type to start with.
  
  
  But as for the flavour of this years cobs I don't think, in fact I sure it will make no difference.
  
  Hope that helps.
  
  
  Whatsthematter...

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by realfood (U13916672) on Monday, 23rd August 2010

  It will indeed effect this years cobs, as the cobs are the seeds that we eat.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  Yes, for the super sweet hybrids anyway.
  
  My packet of seeds warns against sowing too close to other varieties or the extra sweetness may be lost.
  Indeed we eat the seeds and the change of flavour or texture can be affected.
  I'm not sure if it is the same for other types though. I haven't seen this warning on all hybrid seed packets.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  Maize pollen is very heavy (relatively) and is not known to travel far which is why you should plant it in blocks so it will fall on to the cobs
  It is not ideal to be growing sweetcorn right next to a field of maize though, particularly if it is to the south west of you. It may cause some imparment to the sweetness. A margin of 25 yards should be sufficent though
  To ensure maximum sweetness only pick it just before you eat it

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  It is indeed to the Southwest and so is on the prevailing wind direction at an important time for pollination.
  
  And it`s less than 25 yards-I did a `google` before posting to get a rough idea of `safe` distance.
  
  This is the first year that particular field has had maize and my plants were out before I noticed it had been drilled with it.
  
  I`ll pick some more tomorrow and see if they have improved after a week more of ripening.
  
  Fortunately the veg garden is quite large so if I do have a problem I can plant them further away next year

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  And it was about week ago that I tried them-I only posted yesterday when the thought about cross pollination entered my mind

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Logissimo (U14020652) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  Hi,
  
  Did you happen to notice whether the two crop were tasseling at the same time? quite apart from the 25m distance, it is possible that the production of pollen from the field crop may have taken place before/after your crop was receptive to pollination.
  
  Could the lack of sweetness be simply due to a lack of sun?
  
  Hope your next pick is better!

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by realfood (U13916672) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  It is not only maize that you have to worry about. Pollen from other types of sweetcorn such as Standard varieties, baby corn and popcorn can adversely affect the Supersweets.
  One seed house claims that the Tendersweets are not adversely affected.
  This year I am carrying out a trial of Tendersweets planted next to Supersweets, to see if this claim is true or if there is any cross-pollination. I will start picking any day now.
  There is some useful information on cross-pollination of sweetcorn here :-

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Tuesday, 24th August 2010

  Please let me know how the Tendersweets turn out Realfood!
  
  I personally don't have a problem with this as my immediate neighbours on the allotment don't seem to like sweet corn (strange but true) and a few others grow varieties which grow very tall and
  mature much later than mine which I like to get out asap.
  
  But always handy to know!

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