Gee that made you all snap to attention didn’t it?

Actually speaking, there is a uni article with that title, so it’s not original, I’m afraid.

As some of you know, I have finally got corn growing successfully to the point that there’s ears forming and they have silk tassels on top.

Pepe has been very kindly and patiently advising me through this crop, but I keep losing this advice in the threads, so I decided on a thread by itself…in fact a lot of good stuff is getting lost in the Chat thread but that could just be me…

Now I need information on hand-pollinating. Pepe advised to do it when there was no wind, but reactive me said to myself: “why?” and promptly went and shook a head of tassels when the wind was blowing…that’s how I found out the pollen is like dust and that’s why you do it when there’s no wind…

OK, in this article, they have an interesting idea about the placement of your corn sowing, plus a good tip on why the hand pollination should be done early in the morning, on dry silk tassels, etc.

http://www.au.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg040223036529.html

There are some other URLs (including the Sex in the Cornfield uni article) with various useful bits of information…but I have lost them in the Chat thread…will put them up shortly…

you could also tie a paper bag over the tassels and collect the pollen for transfer to the silks.

Thanks BlueGreen…

Here’s another URL, a very different approach…

http://muumsmusings.blogspot.com/2009/08/sweet-corn-harvest-mixed-bag.html

bluegreen said:

you could also tie a paper bag over the tassels and collect the pollen for transfer to the silks.

So, in the evening, tie the paper bag over the pollen stalks, and sprinkle over the tassels in the AM? Is that the gist?

Dinetta said:

bluegreen said:

you could also tie a paper bag over the tassels and collect the pollen for transfer to the silks.

So, in the evening, tie the paper bag over the pollen stalks, and sprinkle over the tassels in the AM? Is that the gist?

something like that. never done it myself :D

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

if you have a good block of corn, true. but if you only have a small number of plants it helps I believe.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

if you have a good block of corn, true. but if you only have a small number of plants it helps I believe.

over the years I have tried all the possibilities.. the problem about corn pollination isn’t the locality of other plants., it is the health of the plant that matters.. forget trying to pollinate them.. make sure that the plants are healthy enough to produce pollen.. one cannot pollinate without the stuff.. did you know that?

I’ve actually had a single corn plant with seven cobs.. no other plant to pollinate it.

All seven cobs were so full they were bursting their skins.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

if you have a good block of corn, true. but if you only have a small number of plants it helps I believe.

over the years I have tried all the possibilities.. the problem about corn pollination isn’t the locality of other plants., it is the health of the plant that matters.. forget trying to pollinate them.. make sure that the plants are healthy enough to produce pollen.. one cannot pollinate without the stuff.. did you know that?

RoughBarked, I lurve your posts!

One thing’s for sure, I found out yesterday that my spiky things do have pollen…but there is some leaves under the pollen and over the ears…I only have two rows of corn…about a dozen plants in total…

Next time I am going for the 5-dice arrangement…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

if you have a good block of corn, true. but if you only have a small number of plants it helps I believe.

over the years I have tried all the possibilities.. the problem about corn pollination isn’t the locality of other plants., it is the health of the plant that matters.. forget trying to pollinate them.. make sure that the plants are healthy enough to produce pollen.. one cannot pollinate without the stuff.. did you know that?

RoughBarked, I lurve your posts!

One thing’s for sure, I found out yesterday that my spiky things do have pollen…but there is some leaves under the pollen and over the ears…I only have two rows of corn…about a dozen plants in total…

Next time I am going for the 5-dice arrangement…

corn.. will grow vigorously and produce shed loads of pollen if all the factors have their boxes ticked.

Water.. without water corn will look more like kikuyu, that’s how tall it will grow.

Corn absolutely thrives on water and will not produce much pollen at all without truckloads of water.

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

definitely the best title and hottest topic of the three being concurrently facilitated by dinetta. my corn has picked up since fertilising (see piccie). two cobs per plant is normal and they need water plus manure plus pollen – so shake the top male and let it settle on the silks below.

More URLs

Here is a pic showing me the male flower…
http://thegardensmallholder.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/sweet-corn-tassels-silks-and-pollination/

And here is the article on (ahem) Sex in the Cornfield…
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/Ext/corn/news/timeless/Tassels.html

I don’t plant corn until later in the season, even though i’m in the subtropics. I’ve found they grow more vigourously with the higher temps and the more regular rainfall. So quickly in fact, they tend to shrug off pest and disease. Early crops generally require much more babysitting i’ve found. Same goes for pumpkin.

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

who’s counting?

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

Yes Longy apparently it is, but I can’t remember the URL that tells me this…

pepe said:

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

who’s counting?

LOL. My pint being, you need pollen to fall on all the tassels, to get maximum kernel development.

Longy said:

I don’t plant corn until later in the season, even though i’m in the subtropics. I’ve found they grow more vigourously with the higher temps and the more regular rainfall. So quickly in fact, they tend to shrug off pest and disease. Early crops generally require much more babysitting i’ve found. Same goes for pumpkin.

We have to hand water as our rainfall is irregular and most of the “annual” falls are that: they happen every year January to February…anything else is a bonus…so temps are the way to go for us up here…I did say elsewhere that a friend from town was picking and freezing her cobs about two weeks ago.,,hope my eyes didn’t go too green when she told me…

Dinetta said:

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

Yes Longy apparently it is, but I can’t remember the URL that tells me this…

OK. SO more pollen is better. You do occassionally open a cob which has a few kernels which never developed. Often toward the tip of the cob

Longy said:

I don’t plant corn until later in the season, even though i’m in the subtropics. I’ve found they grow more vigourously with the higher temps and the more regular rainfall. So quickly in fact, they tend to shrug off pest and disease. Early crops generally require much more babysitting i’ve found. Same goes for pumpkin.

if you plant crops two weeks apart the ones planted later in the season will catch up to the earlier ones because they grow quicker in the hotter sun. about the only way you’ll get early crops to be staggered is to plant advanced hothouse seedlings four weeks before of your seed planting.

about the only way you’ll get early crops to be staggered is to plant advanced hothouse seedlings four weeks before of your seed planting
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
yeah stuff the early crops. One or two big crops late in the season and freeze the excess is my preference. I don’t like to have to fight the climate, just use it when it’s best.

Longy said:

pepe said:

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

who’s counting?

LOL. My pint being, you need pollen to fall on all the tassels, to get maximum kernel development.

pint taken. interesting – but how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

yes sheer volume.. the suggestion about planting corn so that the leaves can touch each other is the norm due to the fact that the leaves direct the pollen to the silks. Wind is a no no .. it shreds the leaves and blows the pollen off towards your neighbours.

pepe said:

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

Know what you mean. Fresh is definitely best but frozen is better than none.
Good luck with the butternut. I have planted Qld blue, as a groundcover mostly.
No doubt i’ll get a feed out of it though. They’ll go mad where i put them but plenty room.

One of the things i like about corn is that if there are pests about, i can cover the crop and still get cobs, because they don’t need insects to pollinate.
However, i don’t worry about aphids on the male flowers, as they compost well, so main critter is caterpillars. As i said though, the late season healthy plantings largely avoid the problems of pests. If i was to plant a crop now, i’d get a decent feed only if i covered the crop.

Longy said:

pepe said:

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

Know what you mean. Fresh is definitely best but frozen is better than none.
Good luck with the butternut. I have planted Qld blue, as a groundcover mostly.
No doubt i’ll get a feed out of it though. They’ll go mad where i put them but plenty room.

I don’t bother planting pumpkins until January.. they just grow all over everything otherwise.

I often plant climbing beans with corn.

I don’t bother planting pumpkins until January.. they just grow all over everything otherwise.

I often plant climbing beans with corn.

+++++++++++++++
Yes i’d normally do the same but i want these to go crazy and cover a large area.
Climbing beans go good with corn but if i plant at the same time, they can outgrow the corn. Best left until the corn is about a foot high, then plant.

Longy said:

I don’t bother planting pumpkins until January.. they just grow all over everything otherwise.

I often plant climbing beans with corn.

+++++++++++++++
Yes i’d normally do the same but i want these to go crazy and cover a large area.
Climbing beans go good with corn but if i plant at the same time, they can outgrow the corn. Best left until the corn is about a foot high, then plant.

very interesting.
pumpkin no good in late summer here – no fruit. even corn in december is dubious.
so – corn, pumpkin october – beans december.
still i’m growing all of them now just to check out the ‘never average’ season.

well this topic certainly got the fellas talking! lol!

Have to admit I have sought sex in the cornfield but to this day have never had any offers..

Have to admit I have sought sex in the cornfield but to this day have never had any offers..
+++++++
Well don’t look at me RB.

I have so many things I could type about this…but there are ladies on this forum….lol

Don’t mind me…

Dinetta said:

Don’t mind me…

hehehe…….

Well I’m blowed if I’m going to give my corn sex education. It was hard enough teaching my kids the ins and outs. Or maybe I should say the ups and downs of sex. I think I’ll leave it there.

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

That’s what I would have said. I’ve certainly never had the problem before.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

That’s what I would have said. I’ve certainly never had the problem before.

Yes, but I’ve never grown corn to this stage before…my very first crop was a lesson in how much TLC corn needs…this time, with Pepe’s barracking from the sidelines, I have managed to coax 12 plants into not only staying alive but also producing potentially edible and delicious yummies…

I really needed to engage on a vertical learning curve about the pollination of corn…and this has been a most productive thread for information (and opinion)…

Isn’t it amazing how a subject with the word “sex” in it can bring all you fellars out of the woodwork. Another subject your experts in? LOL.

bluegreen said:

well this topic certainly got the fellas talking! lol!

It sure did. lol.

roughbarked said:

Have to admit I have sought sex in the cornfield but to this day have never had any offers..

There are only fairies at the bottom of the cornfield RB. The ones with wings I mean.

Longy said:

Have to admit I have sought sex in the cornfield but to this day have never had any offers..
+++++++
Well don’t look at me RB.

Your wings are a bit battered LF.

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

That’s what I would have said. I’ve certainly never had the problem before.

Yes, but I’ve never grown corn to this stage before…my very first crop was a lesson in how much TLC corn needs…this time, with Pepe’s barracking from the sidelines, I have managed to coax 12 plants into not only staying alive but also producing potentially edible and delicious yummies…

I really needed to engage on a vertical learning curve about the pollination of corn…and this has been a most productive thread for information (and opinion)…

Certainly brought the men out of the woodwork. Or did I already say that. LOL. Not having a dig at anyone. It’s just thatI haven’t ever had the need to hand pollinate before.
And Pepe is doing a great job of instructing too. Onya Pepe!

Have to admit I have sought sex in the cornfield but to this day have never had any offers..
+++++++
Well don’t look at me RB.

============

What, even with ears like yours Longy?

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

That’s what I would have said. I’ve certainly never had the problem before.

Yes, but I’ve never grown corn to this stage before…my very first crop was a lesson in how much TLC corn needs…this time, with Pepe’s barracking from the sidelines, I have managed to coax 12 plants into not only staying alive but also producing potentially edible and delicious yummies…

I really needed to engage on a vertical learning curve about the pollination of corn…and this has been a most productive thread for information (and opinion)…

looks like no-one has ever hand pollinated corn – i haven’t. i have had poor pollination – but that probably was on poor corn.

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

That’s what I would have said. I’ve certainly never had the problem before.

Yes, but I’ve never grown corn to this stage before…my very first crop was a lesson in how much TLC corn needs…this time, with Pepe’s barracking from the sidelines, I have managed to coax 12 plants into not only staying alive but also producing potentially edible and delicious yummies…

I really needed to engage on a vertical learning curve about the pollination of corn…and this has been a most productive thread for information (and opinion)…

looks like no-one has ever hand pollinated corn – i haven’t. i have had poor pollination – but that probably was on poor corn.

Temperature, wind and water stress all lead to poor pollination.. but hand pollinating doesn’t really change those factors due to the poor production of pollen under those circumstances. One can stand there shaking pollen down onto the silks by simply grabbig hold of the stalk and giving it a bit of a shake but be careful as this can have the possibilities of breaking the stalk and disturbing the roots. I’d just keep them healthy and growing strongly.. you won’t regret it.

Don’t be afraid…

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

I second that.

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

Is the tassel the Stamen or the Pappus? If it is the Pappus then the answer maybe no.

pepe said:

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

and pumpkin and butternut has relevance to this thread how? Hi-Jacked!

pain master said:

roughbarked said:

It is entirely unnecessary to hand pollinate corn.

I second that.

well the whole thing is set up in order to drop heavy pollen straight down onto the tassels or the leaves.. the leaves are channelled to drop the pollen into the tassels thus saving some pollen from strong winds.
So it certainly stands to reason that they should be left to get on with the job and the gardener to get on with theirs which is.. watering and feeding..

Out where I live they water corn like they do rice.

pain master said:

pepe said:

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

and pumpkin and butternut has relevance to this thread how? Hi-Jacked!

dunno buty.. anyway .. hand pollination may be necessary in pumpkins if one hasn’t any insects. Definitely helps with the early zucchini.

pain master said:

pepe said:

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

and pumpkin and butternut has relevance to this thread how? Hi-Jacked!

the discussion was enriched. LOL

pain master said:

pepe said:

Longy said:

how do the silks get so thoroughly saturated ? wind?
+++++++++++
Just sheer volume is the key i guess and as RB says, best volume comes from robust plants. The pollen should actually form a dusty film on the leaves.

makes sense then.
i don’t freeze corn – 5 minutes old or nothing.
early pumpkin is eaten by mites here but late pumpkin doesn’t have time to mature. i’m planting butternut very soon now and keep fingers crossed.

and pumpkin and butternut has relevance to this thread how? Hi-Jacked!

No, because the corn under discussion is in a 3 Sisters Garden attempt…

roughbarked said:

Out where I live they water corn like they do rice.

You mean they flood-irrigate it??? Stand it in water???

I think we have got our pressure back, there was not even a dribble this am…and I really need to get off my backside and take Elle Wuffles for her afternoon 5 mile saunter…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Out where I live they water corn like they do rice.

You mean they flood-irrigate it??? Stand it in water???

I think we have got our pressure back, there was not even a dribble this am…and I really need to get off my backside and take Elle Wuffles for her afternoon 5 mile saunter…

I been thinking about this as well Rough, Only way I have worked out is I’d need to hill up where the plants are and then flood the Gully.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Out where I live they water corn like they do rice.

You mean they flood-irrigate it??? Stand it in water???

I think we have got our pressure back, there was not even a dribble this am…and I really need to get off my backside and take Elle Wuffles for her afternoon 5 mile saunter…

Yes they pump the water from bores and fill up whole paddocks with water .. OK they don’t leave the water on for as long as they do with rice but.. they keep flooding it until it is ready to ripen. I have seen the river running backwards to put Kellogs corn flakes on plates and don’t mention Uncle Tobys.

pain master said:

Longy said:

I’ve always guessed, that each hair in the corn tassel, represents one potential kernel.
Is that accurate?

Is the tassel the Stamen or the Pappus? If it is the Pappus then the answer maybe no.

Uh-Oh, we’re gettin tech-nickle! I know about Stamens but I have to look up Pappus.

Not in my paper back one I keep near the puter.

It’s in the 2 volume world Book though, under Papoose. pappus:- an appendage to a seed, often made of down or bristles. Now we all know.

The corn pollen bits and the tops of the ears, are covered in tiny fine “bugs”. They’re black and look like dust.

What are these and can I ignore them?

Dinetta said:

The corn pollen bits and the tops of the ears, are covered in tiny fine “bugs”. They’re black and look like dust.

What are these and can I ignore them?

Probably aphids.

Dammit, I’ve only got the one ladybird that I’m aware of…

mix up some full cream sunshine milk powder with water like you are about to have a drink of milk.. go and spray your black dust.. which are probably sooty aphids..

spray very wel…l saturate all affected parts

roughbarked said:

mix up some full cream sunshine milk powder with water like you are about to have a drink of milk.. go and spray your black dust.. which are probably sooty aphids..

spray very wel…l saturate all affected parts

Thank you very much RoughBarked…I do have some Sunshine milk powder as it happens, as worm fattener (until I found out that worm fattener is if you want fishing worms)…I’ll do that now…

:)

Dinetta said:

Dammit, I’ve only got the one ladybird that I’m aware of…

they certainly showed up quick in big numbers. if the milk powder or soap don’t work – a short sharp hit of pyrethrum might be needed. they will certainly breed up big time – so you have to do summin.

Dinetta said:

Dammit, I’ve only got the one ladybird that I’m aware of…

You crack me up D. One won’t be quite enough I reckon.

pomolo said:

Dinetta said:

Dammit, I’ve only got the one ladybird that I’m aware of…

You crack me up D. One won’t be quite enough I reckon.

Ladybirds breed up after the aphids arrive.. they cannot breed up without food.. one ladybird in the growing stages will eat 10,000 aphids per hour.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

Dinetta said:

Dammit, I’ve only got the one ladybird that I’m aware of…

You crack me up D. One won’t be quite enough I reckon.

Ladybirds breed up after the aphids arrive.. they cannot breed up without food.. one ladybird in the growing stages will eat 10,000 aphids per hour.

that’s a lot of ‘phids for one ladybird. No doubt you know what you’re talking about RB. I wouldn’t doubt your knowledge.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

You crack me up D. One won’t be quite enough I reckon.

Ladybirds breed up after the aphids arrive.. they cannot breed up without food.. one ladybird in the growing stages will eat 10,000 aphids per hour.

that’s a lot of ‘phids for one ladybird. No doubt you know what you’re talking about RB. I wouldn’t doubt your knowledge.

you are welcome to doubt me.. but the above is true.. if we look at baby ladybirds with a microscope.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

You crack me up D. One won’t be quite enough I reckon.

Ladybirds breed up after the aphids arrive.. they cannot breed up without food.. one ladybird in the growing stages will eat 10,000 aphids per hour.

that’s a lot of ‘phids for one ladybird. No doubt you know what you’re talking about RB. I wouldn’t doubt your knowledge.

I have ladybirds all over my artichoke leaves, must be something in them they really like. I hope they venture over to the roses when the aphids return.

orchid40 said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

Ladybirds breed up after the aphids arrive.. they cannot breed up without food.. one ladybird in the growing stages will eat 10,000 aphids per hour.

that’s a lot of ‘phids for one ladybird. No doubt you know what you’re talking about RB. I wouldn’t doubt your knowledge.

I have ladybirds all over my artichoke leaves, must be something in them they really like. I hope they venture over to the roses when the aphids return.

http://www.pbase.com/antjes/lady_bug

and as for 10,000.. I’m most likely not correct..depending upon which species.. but they sure do eat a lot.

A taste for aphids

— Hippodamia convergens eat up to 50 aphids each a day

— Female ladybirds can lay 1,000 eggs twice a year. These hatch into larvae that feed for 30 days before entering the pupal stage

— The larvae – which look nothing like their attractive parents – are voracious eaters and consume their own weight in aphids every day

— A half a pint glass of ladybirds, about 4,500, will keep an area of 3,000 square feet (280 sq m) clear of aphids

some species will eat more than others .. my memory of 10,000 may well relate to more than one ladybird larvae.. it was just a number in the back of my head from some science program I watched on a TV on some day in my past..

but here are some facts on one species. One larva will eat about 400 medium-size aphids during its development to the pupal stage. An adult will eat about 300 medium-size aphids before it lays eggs. and will eat around 5,000 to 10,000 in its one year of life.

roughbarked said:

some species will eat more than others .. my memory of 10,000 may well relate to more than one ladybird larvae.. it was just a number in the back of my head from some science program I watched on a TV on some day in my past..

but here are some facts on one species. One larva will eat about 400 medium-size aphids during its development to the pupal stage. An adult will eat about 300 medium-size aphids before it lays eggs. and will eat around 5,000 to 10,000 in its one year of life.

Amazing figures when you talk about one LB. Up the ladybirds.

It is a very good reason to tie your hands behind your back when you think of spraying insecticides.

I have ladybirds all over my artichoke leaves, must be something in them they really like. I hope they venture over to the roses when the aphids return.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you sure it aint the 28(?) spotted bug?
More of a foe than a friend methinks.

Longy said:

I have ladybirds all over my artichoke leaves, must be something in them they really like. I hope they venture over to the roses when the aphids return.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you sure it aint the 28(?) spotted bug?
More of a foe than a friend methinks.

No Longy, they’re definitely ladybirds :)

orchid40 said:

Longy said:

I have ladybirds all over my artichoke leaves, must be something in them they really like. I hope they venture over to the roses when the aphids return.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you sure it aint the 28(?) spotted bug?
More of a foe than a friend methinks.

No Longy, they’re definitely ladybirds :)

As are the 28 spotted lady bird :-)

Longy said:

orchid40 said:

Longy said:

I have ladybirds all over my artichoke leaves, must be something in them they really like. I hope they venture over to the roses when the aphids return.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you sure it aint the 28(?) spotted bug?
More of a foe than a friend methinks.

No Longy, they’re definitely ladybirds :)

As are the 28 spotted lady bird :-)

LOL! Of course they are ! These have got a lot fewer than 28 spots :)

orchid40 said:

Longy said:

orchid40 said:

No Longy, they’re definitely ladybirds :)

As are the 28 spotted lady bird :-)

LOL! Of course they are ! These have got a lot fewer than 28 spots :)

Excellent. 15 spotted ladybirds are the bug of choice i believe.

The aphids are from the green panic, and the ladybirds shouldn’t be far behind…this explains why I’ve often found ladybirds in the green panic in years gone by…

My next Q is: how do I know the corn ears are ready to pick? The tassels on most of them are rather shrivelled, is this an indicator?

Dinetta said:

The aphids are from the green panic, and the ladybirds shouldn’t be far behind…this explains why I’ve often found ladybirds in the green panic in years gone by…

My next Q is: how do I know the corn ears are ready to pick? The tassels on most of them are rather shrivelled, is this an indicator?

When all the tassels go brown.. this is an indicator .. yes.. then you feel the cobs to see how lumpy they are.. then you open the top of one or two and press a thumbnail into a kernel or two.. if they squirt milk .. they are perfect.. if it comes out starchy.. you left them too long.

Thanks RoughBarked…BRB!

My next Q is: how do I know the corn ears are ready to pick? The tassels on most of them are rather shrivelled, is this an indicator
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I use the method where you open a cob and pierce a kernel.
If the fluid exuded is clear, it’s not quite ready.
If the fluid is white, it is ready.
If there is no fluid, it is probably over ripe.
If there is no kernel. Someone stole your corn.

Okies, they won’t peel back, the tassels are very green and fresh inside the corn…I’m covered in those horrible little black bugs, they can fly…why oh why didn’t I start spraying earlier? and I have to go away until next Wednesday…

So I guess that means the cobs are not ready yet?

Out cleaning eskies…brb…

Longy said:

My next Q is: how do I know the corn ears are ready to pick? The tassels on most of them are rather shrivelled, is this an indicator
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I use the method where you open a cob and pierce a kernel.
If the fluid exuded is clear, it’s not quite ready.
If the fluid is white, it is ready.
If there is no fluid, it is probably over ripe.
If there is no kernel. Someone stole your corn.

men must be the corn experts because those two got it right LOL.

Dinetta said:

Okies, they won’t peel back, the tassels are very green and fresh inside the corn…I’m covered in those horrible little black bugs, they can fly…why oh why didn’t I start spraying earlier? and I have to go away until next Wednesday…

So I guess that means the cobs are not ready yet?

I’ll wager that while you are away, the cobs will be invaded by larvae. (Moth, butterfly, whatever they are)
Hopefully, not too badly.
I have pulled old socks over each cob to prevent this.
Don’t worry about the aphids on the tops of the plants. The tops have done their job by now.

Longy said:

I’ll wager that while you are away, the cobs will be invaded by larvae. (Moth, butterfly, whatever they are)
Hopefully, not too badly.
I have pulled old socks over each cob to prevent this.
Don’t worry about the aphids on the tops of the plants. The tops have done their job by now.

Thanks Longy…I knew there was a reason I’ve been keeping the odd-socks-basket for the past 20 years LOL!!

Irrespective of the bugs, I’ll put socks on the ears…

Well I’ve been back about an hour, and surveyed the damage to my garden from hot winds and fine very hot days…

The corn is quite good, the seedlings are doing best, both of them…the socks on the ears of corn worked a treat, thanks Longy, for that bit of advice…do I still spray the bugs with sunshine milk, or just put socks on the developing ears after the silks have dried off? I picked an ear, took the sock off (just to see what was happening) and it was immature to the top but the rest of it was juicy (except for 2 seeds at the bottom) so I gave it to Sonny Jim as his reward for putting the socks on last Friday…sweet…

Dinetta said:

Well I’ve been back about an hour, and surveyed the damage to my garden from hot winds and fine very hot days…

The corn is quite good, the seedlings are doing best, both of them…the socks on the ears of corn worked a treat, thanks Longy, for that bit of advice…do I still spray the bugs with sunshine milk, or just put socks on the developing ears after the silks have dried off? I picked an ear, took the sock off (just to see what was happening) and it was immature to the top but the rest of it was juicy (except for 2 seeds at the bottom) so I gave it to Sonny Jim as his reward for putting the socks on last Friday…sweet…

G’day D. Dunno nuthin about milk sprays.
Sox work for me.
How are the aphids? Being eaten yet?

Sorry, I had to go and check other e-stuff…

Well, are the little black things aphids? They are very crawly…and I think they can fly…no ladybirds yet…

Well, are the little black things aphids?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well, that’s what always gets into the tops of my corn plants but as i say, if the cobs are almost full, who cares? Give ‘em to the chooks.

I’ve done a bit of a “google”, and as near as I can tell these little black midge-types might not be a bad threat, but I will continue to “sock-up” the corn ears as the literature says these larvae that you’re speaking of, is the biggest threat…

I have harvested the corn and it’s been disappointing…as I think I left it too late in this heat…one plant was completely dried out this morning…there must be a way of telling, from the leaves, when the cobs can/should come off…however I’ll chalk this up to experience…thanks to all for their input :) … the beans are climbing the corn but for some unknown reason the pumpkin, after a brilliant start, have got the sulks…