About
This ‘Supersweet’ variety which is extra tender and produces cobs up to 20cm long. Tasty and attractive. Sow indoors: April to May. Sow / plant outdoors: May. Harvest: August to October.
About the genus
A genus of five, large, flowering plants the grass family. The most important species, Zea mays is widely cultivated food crop. Male flowers are borne in large, terminal inflorescences (tassels) and female flowers are hidden in clusters in the leaf axils
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesPrairie planting, borders, naturalistic schemes.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a sunny, sheltered spot in soil that has been enriched with well-rotted organic matter. Sweetcorn can tolerate many soil types but prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. As this is a ‘Supersweet’ type, avoid growing next to other varieties to prevent cross pollination if you want the cobs to retain their sweet taste. 'Supersweet' varieties can also be more temperamental so the seeds need to be sown at the correct time, at the correct depth and in the correct temperature - check the packet for more information. Harvest from August to October. See sweetcorn cultivation for futher information.
PruningNo pruning required.
PropagationSow seeds undercover from mid-spring in pots or modules and then plant out May - June after hardening off and the last frosts have passed. Alternatively sow 'in situ' from late spring to early summer. Always plant in a grid pattern to ensure pollination. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to damage from birds, slugs, mice and badgers.
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to smuts which appear as large galls on the cobs and stalks in hot weather.