Can Extra Sweet Corn Seed Be Kept?

kensfarm · May 27, 2004

Some of the new varieties will keep their sweetness longer.

Normal Sugary (su) Kernels contain moderate but varying degrees of sugar, depending on the variety. Sugars convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Most available varieties are of this type.

Extra Sweet sh2 This gene is name is descriptive of its effect on the dry kernel. Its presence creates greatly heightened sweetness and slow conversion to starch after harvest. Common names for this type are Supersweet and Shrunken. Cross pollination between a Supersweet and Normal or Sugar Enhanced variety will result in tough, starchy kernels in both types. Isolation is required for maximum sweetness but NOT from themselves.

Sugar Enhanced (SE) This gene, when present, modifies the normal sugary (su) gene. The result is increased tenderness and to a varying degree, sweetness. The conversion of sugar to starch after harvest is slowed. All varieties described as SE and EH are included. No isolation from Normal sweet corn is necessary, but it is suggested.

TripleSweets A new, extraordinary sweet corn that marries the exceptional tenderness and flavor of a sugary-enhanced type with extra sweetness and extended shelf life of a supersweet. Consequently, TripleSweet varieties can be harvested over a longer period and can deliver more consistent, long-lasting sweetness than sugary-enhanced varieties, even under stress from high temperatures. This is possible because 25% of a TripleSweets sugary-enhanced kernels are spiked with supersweet genetics and sugar levels. Isolate TripleSweets from SH2 but NOT necessary to isolate from SE's.

DaveNay · May 27, 2004

Ahhhh...one of the best parts of living in Illinois is the sweet corn around the middle of Aug. It's a really difficult chore though to get the corn......I have to walk about 80 feet from my front porch to the edge of my property, and then carry an armload of hand picked sweet corn back into the kitchen for boiling or roasting.

The neighbor grows almost 900 acres of sweet corn, and told me that all the corn my family (Me & my wife...lol) can eat won't even make a dent in his harvest. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Dave

Golfgar4 · May 27, 2004

I had a farmer in our area tell me once that "the farmers" all would plant 5 - 10 rows of field corn on the outside of a field of sweet corn so that passers-by wouldn't stop and steal the sweet corn out of the field.

This never made much sense to me. It seems that going to all of that effort to save a few ears of corn was a little extreme.

Is there any truth to what he said?

BigDan · May 27, 2004

The saying where I grew up (East Tennessee) was that to get the best sweet corn, you should get your water boiling before you go out and pick the corn -- and if you trip on the way back in, throw it away and go get some more, as that batch was already spoiled.

In truth, the sooner you cook it, the sweeter it is. Many field corns are edible if you cook them as soon as they are picked. IMO, most of the corn you can get in the supermarket is marginal.

DAP · May 27, 2004

Gary, I've also never heard of this. But if he was having a problem with sticky fingered passersby/neighbors, it sure seems like an excellent idea.

Golfgar4 · May 27, 2004

Yeah, I guess.

But I still wonder how many lost ears of corn it would take to make up for the additional hassle and cost of planting a few rows of field corn and then going back to plant the sweet corn.

It's like Dave's neighbor said </font><font color="blue" class="small">( The neighbor grows almost 900 acres of sweet corn, and told me that all the corn my family (Me & my wife...lol) can eat won't even make a dent in his harvest )</font>

So how many lost ears does it take "to make a dent"? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

DaveNay · May 27, 2004

I personally wouldn't put much faith in this. As you say, the effort to stop short when planting the sweet corn, and then clean out the planters and switch to field corn, and then when harvesting keep them seperate jsut seems like more than it is worth to save a couple bushels of stolen corn.

Dave

DaveNay · May 27, 2004

I can definitely attest that the 5 minute old corn is the best, but I really like it roasted instead of boiled.

Mmmmmm.....slightly caremelized sweet corn is the best. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave

skent · May 27, 2004

I put in 15 rows (about 150' long) of seed that was leftover from spring 2002. (Stored in garage - not too hot or cold) Then 15 rows of 2004 seed from Southern States. Planted on may 3rd (later than usual, but it was too wet). All rows look populated to the max. Can't tell the diffrence between the old stock and the new. Plants are close to a foot tall. Way ahead of schedule due to the hot humid weather we had the last two weeks.

put the beans in last weekend - they haven't shown yet.. . .