Corn in containers

[Ethan]

Anyone try it before? I know corn is a heavy feeder and it is usually grown in fields or beds, but I thought I'd try an experiment and do one in a container. Last year I did some okra in containers and they grew and put on fruit quite well.

[fritz_monroe]

I haven't, but I have seen it done before.  I would think that as long as you make sure there is plenty of nitrogen for the corn, it will do fine.

[Dunappy]

YOu also need to make sure that your containers are sturdy enough to hold up to not flip over as the corn grows taller and taller.

[BZHound]

Is there a reason you're trying that? Other stuff is better in containers. Is it space, and you want corn? Or is it something else? I've always heard there is no such thing as a stupid question, and at first I thought this would qualify. But it's not a stupid question. The tipping over answer is good. The nutrient question is good. But why is the only question I have.

[Jason Akers]

It certainly can be done.

There's a bit of a misconception it seems to me about tall plants.  Some believe that a tall plant just grows a long taproot to stay stabilized.  However corn and some other tall plants like to spread out quite a bit.  This gives it support and also allows the roots to take in more "stuff". 

Plus corn really needs to be planted in row blocks for pollination.

But hey it can be done and if you do it you'll have to tell us about it.  I'm not brave enough to try it.

Jason

[Ethan]

BZ,
No real reason, though time and space is a consideration for me this season. I've got a ton of containers and 5 gallon buckets, and I like experimenting with different growing methods, so I thought why not. I know about corn's needs for cross pollination, so I'll probably either have to self pollinate it by brushing the flowers and tassels myself, or group several containers close together and hope that works.

I'll try and post some pics of the progress. Either you'll see a healthy 5 foot tall corn plant in a container, or you'll see a pic of a very angry me using yet another plant for a lawn dart. LOL. 

[Jason Akers]

If you shake it the pollen will fall off the tassels.  Then its just a matter of making sure the silk is somewhere beneath the cloud of pollen as it sinks.

Jason

[WayneH]

Like mentioned earlier, pollination is the main concern here.

I start my corn indoors using seed starting trays.  I have such a bad bird problem that direct sowing just upsets me.

Nitrogen is important for corn, and they are thirsty too.

[Ethan]

Yeah, I've got tons of grass clippings and some bonemeal and bloodmeal on standby. I also planted a ton of corn out back today in small dirt patches. All planted around the same time, so it will be interesting to see the growth differences.