Sweet Corn Suckers,Question?

[corvetteguy]

I planted 1 pound of Hybrid Sweet corn and am
probably a week or two from harvest. I note that
each corn stalk is accompanied by two 45 degree
suckers starting at the ground level. I was told that
leaving the suckers on will not influence the yield.

However, I am seeing 2 corn ears developing on the
main stalk with tassels appearing on all three stalks.
Now I am seeing 1-2 corn ears developing on the
sucker stalks as well. Is it possible that I will be
getting 6 ears of corn per plant?
I picked a few ears of main stalk corn and they are way
young but are fully developed with white, complete rows.

Any ideas?

[Gardener Don]

Hey Guy,
I grow bodacious sweet corn that normally sends off 2 suckers. The best I have ever gotten off the suckers were little "nubbins" as we call them in So. Illinois. I do not fool with picking the little ears, nor do I cut the suckers off. Personally, I do not think they distract from the main production. It might be interesting to cut the suckers off of some next year and then compare the outcome. Good Luck

[corvetteguy]

I picked one today and it seems
2 or 3 weeks imiature from the
main stalk ones.

I did notice that the suckers may
help to stabilize the stalk from
wind damage as it withstood
the same wind that took down another
variety of corn.
I tried the technique of chain
roping all of the fallen over ones
to a stake . They seemd to re-root themselves.

[rootsy]

suckers won't hurt anything and if they manage to produce an ear it'll most likely be small and more or less under developed. Most likely it will not fully pollinate and will not fill in.

If you have any stress due to drought, etc, the plant is going to put it's energy into one ear on the main stalk and the others will suffer and be stunted.

[corvetteguy]

Now that the corn is harvestible I am getting
6 six ears from one seed. The main stalk
got two and each of the suckers got two
big ears also. Though 1 or 2 inches shorter
they are still 7-8 inches.

\
This is a BUTTER and SUGAR type. Not as
sweet and a little starchy, but very full bodied.

[mr_tumnas]

What I've noticed is many heirloom types seem to produce bigger heads on the sucker. I leave mine, since I usually get a few edible ears off them.

What was the Hybrid variety you used?

[corvetteguy]

Hybrid sweet corn
Butter & Sugar (SU Bi-color)
73 days
lot 76698 FLATS

AGWAY