You will be glad to know that corn can be grown in pots!
Many people do not think about using containers for growing corn and yields will be lower than when growing corn in the garden. With the right containers and good conditions, you can get the highest yield possible by planting corn in your garden beds.
In fact, all you need is a spot with plenty of sunshine, little wind, and the ability to keep the soil moist.
Corn is a warm-weather crop, so it is best to plant seeds for the past two to three weeks after the last frost. When growing potted corn, you will need a container that is at least 12 inches deep in diameter.
Each container box holds four corn plants. Corn eats a lot, so compost or fertilizer should be added to the soil before planting. Fertilizers should also be used during the growing season. Moist the soil regularly by watering.
Don’t even think about growing corn in a pot, but despite the difficulties, it’s worth a try. This can be a fun experiment for your family as you watch the corn grow. Plus, homegrown sweet corn tastes great. For your potted garden, we’ve put together a simple guide that walks you through the steps.
How to start growing in the container?
Growing corn is a hobby for adults and children. Children love to watch the trees grow; Hiding in a corn tree is always a fun game for kids.
If your family wants to try growing corn stalks in their garden this year, this is what you need to do.
Choosing a potted corn variety
So many people I don’t know, there are different varieties of corn. Not all corn is a table and salted.
Corn varies in some places may be different. There are significant differences in grain maturity, internal structure, texture, smoothness, and aroma. Think about the different types of corn you can grow.
Sweet corn
If you need fresh corn for dinner, then sweet corn is the way to go. It is soft and mellow, the perfect accompaniment. Sweet corn is usually yellow in color but comes in a variety of colors, such as brown and red.
Popcorn
Yes, you can grow popcorn like the one you eat when you watch a movie with your friends. These seeds are hard and crunchy.
The popcorn you recognize from the shop is yellow-orange. However, the popcorn you may develop at home may also be blue!
Flint Corn
This type of corn has a hard glass surface, a sticky popcorn-like texture that appears when heated, but is used primarily as corn tortillas.
Flour corn
In the south-western United States. Corn flour is starchy, but corn flour is soft and can be made into finer corn flour. It’s also sweet, and if steamed or baked, you can eat it without a core.
Dent corn
This type of corn, known as field corn, is grown by many farmers because it is commonly used as animal feed and food. It is the most commonly grown corn in the United States.
The mashed corn will dry out and the soft heart will shrink. This is why the beads look wrinkled, hence the name. You can use mashed corn to make cornmeal or dry it to make corn.
Right pot for container
You can grow four corn plants in a container this size, so you may need multiple containers depending on how many corn plants you want to grow and the container size you choose.
The one you choose has enough drainage holes at the bottom. Corn needs moisture, but these plants don’t like standing water. So drainage holes are essential. If your pot does not have a drainage hole, you can drill it with a drill.
Suitable location for your container
Corn is a warm-weather crop and requires a lot of sunlight to grow well. Find a place with six to eight hours of sunshine every day. The plant acts as a wall of privacy because the corns cobs grow quickly even in a pot.
If you plant corn in May, you can expect it to become a curtain in the middle of summer. While container-grown corn will never grow 12-15 feet taller than garden-grown corn, it can easily grow up to 6-8 feet.
Also Read: How to Grow Tamarind Tree?
Prepare your soil for planting
Now it’s time to prepare the soil for sowing corn seeds. Corn needs soil to retain moisture.
Do not dry out too quickly, and the soil must be well-drained so that the soil does not get soggy, one of the best options is to make a pot of peat.
Fertilize rotting chicken droppings or some fish dung into the soil before planting. This helps to add essential nutrients to the corn during the first few weeks of growth.
It is important to understand that corn feeds a lot. According to farmers, corn can destroy the soil if not replenished because it consumes a lot of nutrients.
Planting Corn Seeds in a Pot
Now it’s time to plant corn seeds in your bucket of choice. Too easy!
Six corn kernels per pot. Each seed should be sown 1 inch deep and lightly covered with soil.
Don’t worry if you are planting your corn very close to the substrate because sowing closer to the seed will help pollinate and produce more fruit. That’s better!
You must sow each seed six inches apart along the outer circle of the pot. The seeds should be three to four inches from the edge of the container.
After planting, it is imperative to water the seeds. The sun will do the rest of the work for you. Corn seeds germinate for 10-14 days, in cooler weather conditions, 55-60 ℉. At 65 ℉ and above, it may take as little as six days to germinate.
Caring For the Corn Growing In Containers
After planting, it’s time to tackle the corn. It’s easy but remembers that growing corn in a container can be tricky. You will need to notify your plants.
1. Water your corn
Corn plants need a lot of moisture. You should water the plants every other day and keep the soil moist at all times.
Moisture is one of the essential ingredients for tasty, sweet, and smooth corn, so this is one of the reasons why water is so essential. Especially during flowering and fruiting, the more you need to water the corn pot.
2. Use fertilizers
Ten weeks after sowing the corn, it should be fertilized. Try using ½ tablespoon of 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 fertilizers per plant. It is best to dig a small hole at the base of the tree and spread the manure, mixing it well with the soil.
3. Don’t forget to mulch
Even though corn grows in a barrel, adding mulch around the corn isn’t a bad idea either. The coating helps to retain moisture.
Wood chips, newspapers, and grass clippings are great ways to prevent soil moisture loss. Mulch also helps reduce weed growth; nobody likes weeds!
Common pests and diseases affecting corn
In general, corn is considered resistant to crop pests, but this does not mean that this is not impossible – diseases and pests are always possible, so take a look, understand the common problems your crops are facing
Corn leaves aphids
Aphids can be a problem for many different crops severe infections can cause warping and stunted corn cobs. Plants you may have black mold in your home Corn beetle
This beetle is active in the spring. They start out by killing weeds in the area and then move on to corn plants as they begin to grow. You will know you are infested with corn fleas if there are small holes in the leaves for blood circulation.
This pest can affect almost any plant in your garden, not just corn. Scoops usually damage the tops of the plants, but in some cases, the worms can eat the tops.
Also Read: What is Mango Farming all about? A complete guide
Harvesting
Picking corn in a pot is essentially the same as harvesting corn in a garden. Most ripen in 60-100 days, depending on the cultivated variety and weather conditions. You should be aware that your containerized corn crop may not be what you expect. This is why grow a variety of container-friendly corn varieties and pay as much attention to the yield as possible.
Planting four branches in each cage and keeping them together for the best possible pollination will ensure the best yield.
Early in the morning when the sweetness is at its highest.
When you’re ready to pick up the corn, take the ear and pull it down. Then twist and pull. He will quickly crawl out of the trunk.
You can harvest as much corn as you can eat in a few days.