My corn plants are "branching" from the base. Looks like new plants ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) ??? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Should I remove them or just leave them alone?
There is always discussion on this subject--for and against. I always get these side branches and I usually just leave them because it is so rainy here, that I do not want to take the chance of rotting via the open wound. The usual arguments have to do with whether or not the side branches will take too much 'feeding' away from the mother plant and her corn ears. The thought being that the cobs would develop larger without the presence of the "suckers", if you will call them that. In addition to this line of thinking is the fact that these side branches (suckers) often develop little cobs of their own--taking even more "energy" from the mother plant. Sometimes these smaller cobs turn out oké and more often they amount to nothing. Part of the problem is that they develop their reproductive organs a bit too late. By the time that the ear and silks have developed the tassleing of the mother plant is already finished--so, no pollination. This means energy use for nothing. In spite of all this, I usually leave them in place; as I said, because of the possibility of rotting at the removal site and that I am a bit concerned that the smell of corn plant sap will attract rats. It is situation where you will have to weigh all the +'s and -'s to see what you feel that you should do. If you are considering what to do, I would suggest using your search engine to research the options further. Some folks don't give this "side branch" a second thought and just let things happen as they will.
These are suckers like was said and most corn will do this. You can just snip them off if you want. Since you live in a warm humid climate (I think) you might spray the base of the main plant with an antifungal. We just break them off and that lets more nutrients go to the main plant. But we have also left them alone on occassion. Maybe a bit less corn but we plant a lot so no problem here.
I agree with Mart (because she is a phenomenal gardener) in that the suckers should be removed. Corn is such a heavy feeder that I really don't want energy/fertilizer/water to be wasted on stalks that won't produce. A fungicide is a good idea!
Barb Sojerd thanks for the detail info for this situation and I'll have to make a decision. Thanks Mart, I am weighing the possibilities. Marlingardener thanks for the final push!!!
KK, It depends on the size of our corn patch as to whether we remove them or not. If my patch was as small as yours I would take them off. They do tend to sap the plant of strength if they are going to tassel and trying to make an ear of corn too. The end result is a not really nice ear of corn from the plant or no ear at all. These suckers will not send out enough pollen from their tassels to pollinate the silks that are forming from the suckers ears.
KK Ng; I'm wondering what software you use to add the notes, arrows, etc. to your photographs? Would you mind enlightening me, I like the effect you achieved on the pics of your corn.. Hank
I never remove them. In my opinion the nature have created them so they should be there isn't it? But there is no problem if you remove them. Your corn look great. Good luck with it.
Mepoooo.... wow!!! so many Os hope I got the right amount I agree with Mart because the corns seems to be happier after the suckers were removed but disaster struck yesterday
KK we have a lot of wind like that in Texas. Here we do something that everyone calls "laying corn by". About halfway through the growth of the stalk,(2 to 3 ft.) additional soil is piled around the base on both sides. This lessens the blow down problem. We do it with a tractor and just plow down the row throwing the dirt toward the stalk. That also makes sure the roots are good and deep. Good thing is,, your corn won`t even know you had a windstorm, but wouldn`t hurt to add some soil/compost/food now before tassels start.
I did just that the very first time when some of the plants starts to show sign that they are not deep enough. I'll be doing that again soon, thanks for the info Mart.
