Starting sweet corn

tomatofreak Phoenix, AZ Mar 11, 2008

I have a packet of sweet corn - Sugar Dots hybrid - that is over a year old. Should I soak these seeds or 'sprout' them before planting? What would you do. I'm in Phoenix so the soil is pretty warm about now and will only get hotter so I need to get busy here and try to get some corn up. I'll happily take any advice you have.

Alma

Post #4648511

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Mar 11, 2008

One year old corn should still be very viable. (Corn seed is easily viable for about 2 years at least, room temp, much longer if frozen.)

If you feel most comfortable with it then take ten seeds and to a germ test with moist paper towels and a baggie to see how many declare.

What I often do when planting corn, especially early in the season, is soak the seeds for half a day, then drain and let them dry out, then sow them. This really speeds up germination,especially in cooler weather. It sounds to me like you have pretty warm soil so I bet you won't even have to do that.

Best of gardening to you! Let us know how your corn patch does!

Shoe

Post #4649469

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tomatofreak Phoenix, AZ Mar 11, 2008

Thanks so much! I have high hopes but gardening here is challenging to say the least. I will take your advice about soaking, drying and then planting. I might even get those seeds in before sundown!

Alma

Post #4650251

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