Sweet corn seed

[Ohiowoodchuck]

Anybody have a good supplier for there sweet corn seed. I'm tired of planting it and not getting no results. I planted 2/10 of a acre and probably only got 2 dozen sprouts. Another farmer I know plants a bunch and he has planted it three times just to try to get some sweet corn. It seems like it's getting worse and worse every year.

[Super A]

I buy my seed locally at the local feed/seed/garden center store where they will weigh out what you need. Theirs comes from Wyatt-Quarles. http://www.wqseeds.com/

Sounds like you got a batch of old/bad seed. Happened to us a few years ago in wheat. Seed was short that year so we got a pallet in 50 lb. bags like normal, the rest was in the big bulk bags. The 50 lb bags came right up but the other seed was almost all bad. Fortunately the dealer found some good seed to replace it.

My FIL likes to buy his from mail order companies. It seems like he has at least a few issues with seed emergence every year. I had almost a perfect stand, the biggest issue I had this year was the ##*$@! crows. I only plant a couple rows but I had to put bird net over it until it got about 6" tall to keep the crows from destroying it.

Al

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I get mine from the local dealer also. It wasn't me that had the same problem, guys I worked with had the same trouble. It just gets really old going through all the work and getting no results.

[Bill Hudson]

It is not always the seed's problem. Other problems: seedbed preparation, seed-to-soil contact, planting depth, insect control, available moisture, soil temperature. Get a couple of these wrong and poor germination will result in a poor stand.

Bill

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I understand that and feel like I done everything correct. I plowed, disced, put 300 lbs of pel lime on, planted with a one row planter and side dressed with triple 19

[ScottyD'sdad]

I've used Harris seeds, for the last half century, with good results.
Ed

[Super A]

I understand that and feel like I done everything correct. I plowed, disced, put 300 lbs of pel lime on, planted with a one row planter and side dressed with triple 19

When are you side-dressing? Before emergence? If so where is the fertilizer in relation to the seed?

Next batch of seed, try a germination test. Count out 100 seeds, roll em in a couple wet paper towels, and keep moist/warm. After 4-5 days count how many have started to sprout. It'll at least confirm if your seed is good.

Al

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I side dress when planting and it's within a couple of inches of the seed. What did come up looks great.

[Super A]

Probably need to move the fertilizer a little further from the seed......at least 6" over, 6" deep. But I still think you have a seed issue.

Al

[ScottyD'sdad]

Bill Hudson's advice is good. Variables like moisture, soil temperature. (Most sweet corn likes above 60 degree soil). Also, crow population! I once planted 50 pounds of field corn seed, for a cover crop. Crows rototilled the field, so finely, you could have made a golf course out of it. 1 corn stalk, grew! My first planting of sweet corn, came up spotty, due to heavy rain and low soil temps.
Ed

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I didn't plant till June 5th the soil was dry but it got a decent shower on it within a week. It wasn't a downpour just a good steady rain. I disced it all under yesterday and planted again. I'll take my shotgun to the crows and if it don't come up after shooting the crows. well I don't know.

[Denny Clayton]

Read up on Ohio hunting of crows. There is a hunting season and it's very specific.

[Ohiowoodchuck]

Yes it came in June 2nd fridays, Saturday's and sundays only. I've been a avid outdoorsman my whole life and respect the laws, even though I don't agree with some of them.

[Denny Clayton]

Yes it came in June 2nd fridays, Saturday's and sundays only. I've been a avid outdoorsman my whole life and respect the laws, even though I don't agree with some of them.

Yes, crow season is a strange one.

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I'm leaning toward bad seed. After three days of trying to germinate in a wet paper towel, there is no indication. I'll give it two weeks though. There ought to be a law against selling junk like this.