Sweetcorn

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by davygfuchsia, Apr 20, 2011.

  1. davygfuchsia

    davygfuchsia Gardener

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    I believe I read in an earlier thread that sweetcorn is often sown in long cardboard or paper tubes ..
    Would sowing in 3.5in pots suit or are they not considered deep enough ?

    Dave
     
  2. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    The Garden centre sells them in tiny module cells! I'm not sure they are as fussy about lack of root disturbance as is made out.

    However, I grow mine in newspaper pots that are 2" / 2.5" diameter and 6" - 7" tall and I get excellent results, so I can definitely recommend that.

    Tabloid. Open up a double page, fold in half top-edge-to-bottom (so its about 7" - 8" wide). Wrap that around a spray can (of about 2" - 2.5" diameter) so about an inch sticks out below the bottom of the can, and tuck that under the can, then slide the paper "pot" off. I stand them in a seed tray - pushed together to make them fit the tray tightly (which you can;t do with 3" plastic pots, they never fit well in a seed tray!)

    http://kgarden.wordpress.com/tips/how-to-make-pots-from-newspaper/

    no need to save up loo and kitchen-paper rolls :)

    The newspaper last surprising long, and the roots will grow through. Tear off the top inch or so of paper when you plant - if it sticks up above the soil it will act as a wick and dry out the paper that is underground.

    I ought to try growing a couple in 3" plastic pots alongside to see if it makes any difference at all though.
     
  3. davygfuchsia

    davygfuchsia Gardener

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    Thanks Kristen..
    My first time with sweetcorn so will follow your tip .I will try 3/4 in 3.5in pots and see if there is a difference.

    Dave
     
  4. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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    I've sown mine in those coir/peat pots that can be planted straight in to the ground; as I do with my tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and pumpkins.

    I have been collecting toilet tubes though to try next year and may well try the news paper too, it will be cheaper than buying the coir/peat pots; which in all honesty are very cheap anyway, but every little helps.
     
  5. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    In the past I found that peat pots are quite a barrier to roots - they take a while to rot down - whereas damp newspaper, once its in the ground, is no barrier at all!

    But I haven't used Coir pots

    Newspaper pots don't take long to make, and I have never run out of them yet :thumb:
     
  6. boebrummie

    boebrummie Gardener

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    thanks for sharing. im going to give that a try. plus how do you water them. using the paper pots.
     
  7. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I water from the top - I've not had the courage to try standing them in a tray of water to give them a drink!

    I use a watering can with a slow spout, and just pour some water into each "pot", but a rose would probably do just as well.
     
  8. boebrummie

    boebrummie Gardener

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    thanks kristen, mine are in seed trays at the mo, could i transplant them today in to some of these paper pots, ( i got kids to make them,) or are they fussy about repotting
     
  9. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    Yes, transplant them into pots. They won't be happy in the seed trays, and I don't think they will mind being transplanted if they have just germinated - they'll only have a single root + shoot at that stage.
     
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