Figuring out relative maturities of sweet corn
Before moving to insect protected corn several years ago, I used to plant Trinity, Ambrosia and Delectable, 67, 75 and 82 day maturities. If planted on the same day, these varieties were ready one after another perfectly. After my initial planting of all three, I mainly stuck to delectable unless a rain held me out, then I could make up the gap/delay with a planting of ambrosia. I switched to Rogers BC0808 and BC0805 and found them to work pretty much the same way, with 77 and 82 day maturities. Last year BC0808 was replaced with BC0822 and even though it is listed as the same maturity it seems as if these varieties are ready virtually the same time. Three different times they were planted side by side the same day and it gave me two plantings ready on top of each other.
I am considering trying temptation II instead of the BC0822 for this slot. It is listed as a 72 day but I have no real idea how it compares to anything else. It might be a tad TOO early. Does anyone have any experience with it? Or, is there data somewhere that compares the relative maturities of corn across companies (how they compare to other varieties not from the same seed company).
In the real world, I cant always plant when I want to so I need something to make up a gap.
Thanks!
Toby Brown
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt on -
I don't think you will get ACCURATE numbers from ANY company. Growing conditions vary everywhere. Extra heat, lack of heat, water stress, etc. can swing maturity by WEEKS. What you see in catalogs from various seed companies is usually what they experienced from their trials or the marking from the breeder.
I don't change my variety. My customers expect a certain type of corn from me. I always have the same type, but I succession plant every two weeks so I have corn throught my growing season. I grow Xtra-Tender 274A. Have grown this variety for 15 years and never been disappointed in taste. Could have a stronger stalk, etc., but I have not found any variety to be it's equal for taste. ALL of my chefs love it. The only knock I have ever heard is that it is too sweet for corn soup. For fresh market there is NO equal in my opinion.
I would highly suggest that you keep records of how long maturity is for the varieties that you grow in your area. Some of this will require some trial and error for a few years. Record the variety, plant date, weather during growing season and harvest date. You should see a pattern emerge. My guess is that it will be within a week of the stated maturity from the vendor.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen on
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Matt,
Do you have trouble with 274 and rust?
Matt said:I don't think you will get ACCURATE numbers from ANY company. Growing conditions vary everywhere. Extra heat, lack of heat, water stress, etc. can swing maturity by WEEKS. What you see in catalogs from various seed companies is usually what they experienced from their trials or the marking from the breeder.
I don't change my variety. My customers expect a certain type of corn from me. I always have the same type, but I succession plant every two weeks so I have corn throught my growing season. I grow Xtra-Tender 274A. Have grown this variety for 15 years and never been disappointed in taste. Could have a stronger stalk, etc., but I have not found any variety to be it's equal for taste. ALL of my chefs love it. The only knock I have ever heard is that it is too sweet for corn soup. For fresh market there is NO equal in my opinion.
I would highly suggest that you keep records of how long maturity is for the varieties that you grow in your area. Some of this will require some trial and error for a few years. Record the variety, plant date, weather during growing season and harvest date. You should see a pattern emerge. My guess is that it will be within a week of the stated maturity from the vendor.
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Permalink Reply by Matt on
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No, not really, but I find rust is temperature dependent. I tend to NOT plant later in the season. When I do it is 277a (ok so I do grow other than 274a). It is usually just smaller amounts and only to the farmers markets. I find later plantings have disease, environmental and other "issues" to deal with and it only makes sense when I can sell it at retail.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Willis on
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Toby,
I work in the vegetable seed industry and I am not aware of any complete listing of all sweet corn varieties and thier maturity dates. Also, the maturities listed on many varieties can vary depending on where the seed company is located in the US and how they count the days to maturity. Some companies count from the time they are seeded and others count from the time they emerge from the soil. This can make a difference of 7-10 days in maturity for the same variety.
Mark Willis
Harris Seeds
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