Sweetcorn Problem

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Paul Blackburn, Apr 14, 2023.

  1. Paul Blackburn

    Paul Blackburn Gardener

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    I planted some sweetcorn seeds in March which were in one of myn heated trays.I transfered them to some 3 inch pots but since I moved them they don't look very healthy.Would it be to late to plant another batch.
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    No not too late unless you live in the far north.
    Mine will get sown in Roottrainers in the cold greenhouse this next week. They sulk if they get cold after germination or on planting out. Mine will be planted out mid to late May.
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I wasn't even going to sow mine until the beginning of May.
      Agree with Nigel, they like warm conditions otherwise they stall.
       
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      • Paul Blackburn

        Paul Blackburn Gardener

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        Thanks for the replies I have got several roottrainers so if I plant the seeds in the roottrainers when would the best time be.I have a unheated greenhouse and normally start them off in heated trays and then move them into the greenhouse.Do you keep them in theRoottrainers or transfer them to pots.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Sow in early May as pete says. You don't pot on with roottrainers, you need to plant them in their final position before they get too big, roots appearing at the bottom of the roottrainers is too late.
         
      • Paul Blackburn

        Paul Blackburn Gardener

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        So I should put the seeds into the roottrainers and perhaps then put the roottrainer into my heated propagator and start them off there and pot on into pots and then put them into my unheated greenhouse untill they are ready to plant outside.Perhaps plant the seeds next weekend.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        No you don't pot on rootrainer grown seedlings into bigger pots. The idea of rootrainers is for plants that dislike root disturbance.
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          I've grown them quite well in just ordinary 3.5in pots.
          One reason for late sowing so they dont get potbound, the other reason is that within a week of germination they should be ok to go into the cold frame, say mid May, and then plant out at the end of the month with other tender veg.

          Of course we need the weather to get its act together very soon.
           
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          • Paul Blackburn

            Paul Blackburn Gardener

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            So should I plant the seeds in 3.5 pots at the beginning of May and put them in my heated Propagator and when they have germinated put into my cold frame and then plant them out
             
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Well that's how I do it but a lot depends on the weather, if you are still getting cold nights in mid May you might have to hold off putting in the cold frame or be ready to cover the cold frame, i use the green house for a few days after the propagator, then the cold frame, but just make sure it's a gradual process.
            Even planting out is not a set time and mostly weather dependent.
             
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            • infradig

              infradig Gardener

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              Such is the failure rate for early plants(ie April sown), that I usually sow spares later,in early May.
              I like to plant out as a 'square', which looks bad if gaps occur. It doesn't hurt to have a progression of cobs; for that reason I avoid F1 varieties.
               
            • Paul Blackburn

              Paul Blackburn Gardener

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              I have just realised I have no 3.5 pots all in use would 2.5 do instead
               
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              Probably a bit small I would say, you can still use the root trainers.

              I just use 3.5in because I start most stuff out in those.
               
            • Paul Blackburn

              Paul Blackburn Gardener

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              I have found 12 3.5in Pots so will plant the seeds at the end of the month
               
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