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Re: corn

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

I had a conversation with a long time corn breeder from the U. of NH a few
days ago, Dr. Gerald Dunn, who said that it isn't necessary to plant corn in
blocks.  Corn sheds so much pollen that there is always enough to cause full
ears to set, in a single row, or even in just one or two plants.  Of course
if you are saving seed, such a small planting would cause way too much
inbreeding, but if you are just growing corn to eat, forget the idea that it
has to be in a block to get good set.  This from a mon who has as much
experience with corn as the whole list put together, and then some. 
----------
>From: Martha Wells <flylo@txcyber.com>
>To: "'Frank Teuton'" <fteuton@total.net>, "sqft@listbot.com" <sqft@listbot.com>
>Subject: RE: corn
>Date: Fri, Apr 9, 1999, 8:08 PM
>

>Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
>
>I'm sorry to say I crowd corn. You can do this somewhat by being picky 
>about which way you lay the seed in the ground. pointy end (seed embryo) 
>and round end, if they're all facing the same way, the leaves will grow in 
>the direction the seed was lying. So you can soldier them up a little if 
>they aren't shouldering each other around with leaves. I usually measure 
>out about a foot length and turn it into a triangle and plant on each 
>corner. Three or four of these triangles and you end up with a zigzag 
>pattern for a row. Or, you can 'island plant' several triangles in bare 
>spots where shade might be needed. I'm always looking for things to grow 
>and shade the rest of the patch by early summer anyhow. I just set out two 
>squares of tomatoes, and will probably plant a block of pole beans next to 
>them tomorrow. (West!  Tall stuff to the West so I can block out that 
>afternoon sun.) Though a 4 foot cornstalk probably would only help from 3pm 
>on.
>Oh, I think Seeds of Change and Fedco and maybe Pinetree Gardens carry 
>Luther Hill corn.
>martha
>
>
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