How to Grow Corn: A Detailed Guide to Seed Selection and Sowing Time

Corn is also known as baogu, baolu, yujiao, baomi, bangzi, and other names, and is widely grown around the world. So how do you choose corn seeds? When do you sow them? How do you grow them?

1. How to choose corn seeds?

1. Purchasing channels

Buying seeds from seed dealers with a good reputation and a business license is relatively reliable.

2. Seed packaging

Seeds purchased from seed companies or research institutions usually have fairly good packaging, printed with the name of the seed business. Seed bags are generally sealed with a bag-sewing machine, and one variety of seed usually comes in one type of packaging. If the same variety comes in several different types of packaging, it is often likely to be fake seed.

3. Color

Normal corn seeds have a pure, fresh color. If they are small grains of commodity grain or the paternal parent from a seed-production field, they usually have a dull color because they were not carefully dried in the sun.

4. Grain size

Good corn seeds are harvested from inbred lines, and the ears are small and the grains are small too. If the seeds you buy are similar to commodity grain kernels, you need to be especially careful. If the seeds are particularly small and also uneven, pay attention to whether they are mixed with corn tips and the like.

5. Degree of grain uniformity

Seeds produced by seed production departments have undergone multiple rounds of cleaning, so the grains are uniform and neat with very few impurities. If the seed grains vary in size, differ in color, contain many impurities, and include many moldy grains, the authenticity of the seeds is worth doubting. In addition, you should also understand the characteristics of commonly used corn varieties, such as grain color, grain shape, cob color, and grain size. Based on appearance characteristics, you can often rule out some seeds that are passing under a false name.

2. When are corn seeds sown?

1. Spring corn

Spring corn is generally sown in April-May and can be harvested in late August.

2. Autumn corn

Autumn corn is sown at the latest in July-August and harvested in late October.

3. How are corn seeds grown?

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Choose a plot with deep soil, loose soil, and good fertilizer-retention capacity, then carry out deep plowing and leveling, and apply base fertilizer according to the condition of the plot.

2. Sowing at the right time

Spring corn is sown in April-May, and autumn corn is sown in July-August. When the soil is compact, the sowing depth is 5-6 cm; when the soil is loose, the sowing depth is 6-8 cm. After sowing, cover with soil and press it down appropriately.

After sowing corn, pay attention to its growth. Remove weak seedlings and diseased seedlings in time, and replant missing seedlings promptly.