How many ears of corn per stalk

Soil and available nutrients have to be able to support that many plants, and each farm and each field is different. Corn varieties that farmers use today have been selected and bred for high densities, meaning that they can tolerate high populations and usually only produce one ear per plant.

But in the right conditions things could change. If those high density varieties of corn or any other cultivar of corn are spaced out with low competition, plenty of sunlight, water, and nutrients, they could branch more and produce more ears of corn. Often times, farmers will see more ears at the edges of fields because the end rows have more sunlight and more space.

But the second ear will not usually be as good of quality. The primary nutrient that is a limiting factor for overall growth and ear development is nitrogen. Sometimes farmers can increase the population of corn planted and actually decrease the number of ears. Some plants would be barren and not produce an ear.

If the farmer is growing the corn as stover stem and leaf materials to feed to livestock as chopped silage, there is no need to produce a large ear. Of course with all of this, we are primarily talking about field corn also called dent corn. Field corn can be used for human food tortilla chips, cornbread, etc. Sweet corn, the kind that we enjoy fresh off the cob in the summer, is sometimes considered a low-value crop when compared to other vegetables.

This is because it takes up valuable room — a lot of room — in a garden and only produces one ear per plant.

Sweet corn can take up to 3 square feet of space. If you harvest a cucumber from the garden, more will grow and you can get multiple harvests. But if you pick an ear of corn, the plant is done producing. Sweet corn may produce two or sometimes three ears per plant because there is wider spacing and less competition. Early maturing sweet corn varieties may still only have one ear. Later maturing sweet corn varieties might have multiple ears. Like Like. This was very helpful to me.

Jesus used the parable of sowing corn and I was curious as to how much would be produced. Planting 12 to 15 seeds in a square every two weeks will provide fresh corn all summer long. That gives a family of six an ear of corn each, twice a week. If you want a bumper crop to freeze, plant all your corn at one time. Corn has the male flowers on the top; the pollen drops on the female flowers or silk and each thread of silk leads to a corn kernel or seed.

Planting corn seeds in blocks rather than long rows increases the probability that each silk will be fertilized. Long rows decrease that probability. No matter how many are in your family, planting in blocks will increase your yield of ears of corn per stalk. The garden should be located in full sun and fertile soil with good drainage. Fertilize the corn plants regularly to keep them healthy. Squirrels, raccoons and crows love corn and will go to extraordinary lengths to get the ears.

Try growing squash under the corn. The prickly plants may deter some animals. Place brown bags over maturing corn ears to deter birds. Corn pollination can be a tricky thing. To produce the most ears of corn per plant, plant corn in a block of at least three or four rows. Because corn is wind-pollinated, your chances of getting a good crop increase if you plant corn in a block, rather than a long row.

Growing more than one variety can also be a problem because corn easily cross-breeds. When two are more varieties are planted together, the resulting corn may have undesirable qualities resulting from a genetic mixture of the two types.

Stagger planting times, if you want to plant more than one type, or plant corn varieties at least 30 feet apart. To get the most corn, plant varieties well-suited to your climate and region. Your county extension office can offer tips on corn varieties, or ask a veteran gardener. Old favorites may taste just as sweet as new hybrid varieties, but they don't store well.