Being one of the biggest highlights in Brazilian agriculture, corn can be cultivated throughout our country. Furthermore, it has the advantage of being easily adapted to different seasons, from summer to winter.
Even though corn has such a widespread crop, there are usually doubts about how to plant it. After all, these questions are important to be able to have good productivity.
Are you wanting to know more about the different ways how to grow corn? In addition to answering some other questions about land preparation, among other points, continue reading this article to learn more.
How to Plant Popcorn
The procedure for planting popcorn corn is not quite the same as for normal corn: there are slightly different requirements for both planting and growth. But there are no great difficulties, after all, with a little knowledge, it is possible to plant, cultivate and harvest your desired corn.
To learn more about step by step, just follow our tips below:
- Choose the right seed: You should buy some fertile seeds that are sold by farmers or specialist companies. Do a test before using about 20 seeds to see if the corn will germinate in a week. If it doesn’t, you can repeat the process until it works;
- Decide on the best place for planting: make sure that the chosen space receives plenty of sunlight and that the soil drains easily;
- Wait for the correct time for planting: the popcorn corn crop cannot be without water, this can influence the quality of the grains;
- Plant at the right depth: sowing depth is linked to factors such as temperature, soil type and moisture. The corn seed must always be inserted at a depth that allows a good contact with the soil moisture;
- Respect the maximum planting density: this step plays an important role in crop yield;;
- Closely monitor corn growth;
- Only harvest the mature corn.
If you want, there is a tutorial taken from youtube for better understanding in:
How to prepare the land for planting corn
Soil is a fundamental resource in any agricultural practice. Its role is so important that it has a direct influence on the productivity of crops in general. Therefore, before starting corn planting, you need to follow a few steps:
- Provide sampling and soil preparation: here you will find elements that are essential for the constitution of plants and with balanced fertility will result in the proper development of corn seeds;
- Fertilize the soil correctly: with the result of the sampling, you will know exactly how to invest so that you can achieve the productivity you want;
- Analyze the topographical position;
- He knew more about the area’s history: researching previous crops, fertilization, whether fertilizers or correctives were used;
- To correct the soil, three months before planting, apply limestone: it is almost mandatory for the cultivation of corn;
- Eliminate exchangeable aluminum and raise calcium and magnesium levels.
How to plant corn and beans
Many people are unaware, but corn and beans can be planted together. By making the so-called consortium, you have several benefits such as:
- Ease of cultivation: beans replace weeds that can occur within the corn line and that are not removed with mechanical cultivation;
- Superior use of fertilizers: as the two crops are placed on the same row, both are able to make better use of the fertilizer. Furthermore, it contributes to a better use of nutrients;
- Time and labor savings.
To plant, follow the steps below:
- The corn spacing should be one meter, but a lower corn density of three to four plants per meter should be used. In addition to having a population of 30 to 40 thousand plants per hectare;
- For sowing, a corn disk that allows the fall of four to five seeds per meter must be used;
- As for beans, the number of seeds used per linear meter should be from 12 to 16 and consider a final density of 10 to 12 plants per meter;
- Fertilization should be done in the same way as corn monoculture, with nitrogen in the coverage. However, instead of doing it with 45 days of corn, anticipate it by 10 days, so as not to coincide with the flowering period of the beans;
- That way you will be successful in planting corn and beans.
How to plant potted corn
It is possible to grow in pots, but the yield is much lower compared to planting in a field or a garden. Also, it is important to know that you need a large vase or container that is at least a foot deep and wide.
Let’s go step by step?
- You should opt for a dwarf variety of corn that doesn’t exceed 1.50 meters in height;
- Plant four to six seeds per pot. The depth should be 2.5 centimeters;
- Cover them with a thin layer of soil;
- Use a potting soil that is peat-based to get a better result;
- Pay attention to the number of drainage holes (you need to have a good amount);
- Leave the container in a sunny place, always watering;
- Put straw around the corn to keep it moist (you can also use wood shavings, grass, or newspaper).
To better illustrate, see this link with a tutorial taken from youtube:
How to plant irrigated corn
Corn is a plant that needs a lot of water, unfortunately, in times of drought or in some places in Brazil, it is difficult to always succeed in harvesting. As a result, we will present some techniques to achieve the moisture that the soil so much needs mechanically.
Basically, planting is the same as for conventional corn, but irrigation techniques may vary according to your choice and profile:
- Surface irrigation: it is done in furrows located between the rows of plants. It can range from a furrow to one or two rows;
- Sprinkler irrigation: in this method, jets of water are launched into the air, falling on the crop in the form of rain. It is advantageous to be used in small areas;
- Localized irrigation: water is only applied to a fraction of the plant’s root system. Drippers, porous tube or micro-sprinklers are used.
Costs can vary from place to place, so it is important that you analyze the cost-effectiveness of each method.
How to plant corn with fertilizer
For you to be able to increase your productivity, the best strategy is to use fertilizers. As a result, we will present five tips to be successful in corn planting:
- Make an initial planning: it is important to understand that the preparation of fertilizer starts long before sowing. Therefore, have the soil analysis history in hand. The result will be minimal costs and increased profitability in harvesting;
- Calculate the fertilization for corn planting: after analyzing the history, it is necessary to verify which type of fertilization will be done, maintenance or correction;
- Fertilize: this step is essential for the successful establishment of the initial stand;
- Fertilize micronutrients: even if it is a small amount, the absence can result in low productivity;
- Calculate the costs: to give you an idea, 25% of the planting costs are related to fertilizers. With the help of a spreadsheet, you can have a better idea of your investments and if they are carried out correctly.
After following all these tips, it will be much easier to plant your corn with fertilizer correctly.
How to make corn seedlings
It is very simple to make corn seedlings, just have little cups made of newspaper in your hands and watch the tutorial below. youtube:
This process has the advantage of being sustainable and very economical.
How to plant corn for cats
Cats are very fond of eating corn grass. One of the advantages of consuming this plant is that it helps in the elimination of hairballs, in addition to helping the bowel function. To plant corn for the cat, you will need:
- A pot, vase or bib (if you have more than one cat, we recommend using the bib);
- Buy quality soil and fertilizer;
- Purchase popcorn, the kind we use to make in the pan;
Shall we plant? Follow this step by step:
- Put the soil in the planter and mix it with the fertilizer. Try to leave approximately three fingers of the edge without soil;
- Sprinkle the corn all over the pot and prevent the pits from getting too close together;
- Cover all seeds with soil. Water evenly and be careful that no lumps are uncovered;
- Leave it in a place that gets the sun and prevent your feline from having access, because it will probably dig in the earth;
- Try to water every other day. The earth cannot be soaked;
- Around three after planting, the roots will emerge;
- After three weeks the corn stalk will be a good size;
- Let the plant grow to at least four to five fingers;
- Ready! Ready-to-eat plant for furry ones!
For all tastes
Popular in Brazil and around the world, corn is a versatile vegetable and can be used for many purposes. Also, cheap and easy, with a little patience and care, following the tips given above, you will be successful in planting corn.
Did you find these tricks useful? Leave in the comments below to learn more!
