Corn thriving!
By N2organics
6 May, 2011
3 likes
One of this year's corn experiments was to grow two closely spaced corn seeds in a large container of the best organically prepared soil possible and see what happens.
The farmer behind my property has planted corn this year, so I also planted a couple of seeds to compare the progress of the plants. So far, my plants are the same height as the ones in the field, but mine has already produced a bloom-head and is ready to be manually pollinated. The plants in the field are still growing leaves from the center stalk with no sign of bloom production.
The soil formula that was used on this "test corn couple" is a base soil of "Erath earth potting soil" that does NOT contain peat-moss. That was amended with "Texas green sand, lava-sand, dry molasses, and worm castings to provide the plants with the richest organic medium that supports high levels of biological activity in the soil.
All that I have done, in a nut-shell, is to recreate the biological soil activity that you find in the natural "forest floor" in a wine barrel... Gotta love it!
Comments on this photo
This looks good, but do you not think you have also supplied more water than the Farmer N2o ?
6 May, 2011
Of course Drc.. It has rained only once on the farmer's field and his crops are doing surprisingly well despite the drought. I suspect that the farmer planted a genetically modified seed that was engineered for low water conditions and high yield. That would be perfect for a "feed-corn" crop or a crop that would be converted to ethanol.
The seeds that I planted were certified organic "non-GMO" seeds, so I'm sure that there will be some differences in the growth patterns.
My goal is to grow the absolute best tasting corn in my own little area using pure organic growing techniques.
*N2O*
7 May, 2011
Thanks N20, are you growing enough to eat then?
7 May, 2011
Of course! I have about 200 sq. ft. of the same seed growing in an area in the backyard dedicated to experimental crops. {grin}
Here's the details:
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/newforum/root/n2organics-2011-corn-experiment-t13247.html
10 May, 2011
Well I wish you luck, how will you eat it is it for dough?
10 May, 2011
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Looks pretty in it's own right! :)))
6 May, 2011