Hillingdon Allotment News 16: Query Corner

Question: Last year my sweetcorn didn’t develop properly. Some were short of kernels at the top of each cob and others full of gaps. Can you tell me what went wrong?

Answer: The male and female flowers on sweetcorn are carried on different parts of the plant with the male flowers at the top and the female (cobs) lower down. The cobs are wind pollinated when the conditions are right, i.e. dry days. Last year was very wet for long periods and there were fewer opportunities for the plants to release their pollen which is then blown or drifts towards the female cobs. If this does not happen you will get the condition you describe. Grown your corn in a block with 15” in each direction rather than in a row and if necessary use a wind break which will increase your chances of success.