Corn : Double Standard

Open pollinated, bi-color variety

This beautiful full-season bi-color corn produces 7.5" ears with 16 to 20 rows of kernels per ear. It is sweet, tender, and germinates in cold soil. Double Play is an open-pollinated, bi-color variety, and is a great choice for home gardeners.

Poaceae Zea Z. mays

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Corn: Open Pollinated & Heirloom

Double Standard

There are relatively few open pollinated heirloom sweet corn varieties still available and they have pretty much disappeared from commercial growing because the newer hybrids stay sweet for much longer. However, some cooks maintain that sweetness isn't the only thing that makes for a great sweet corn and that the old open pollinated heirloom varieties have a superior flavor. If you grow them you just have to be more aware of their ripening, as they ripen all at once and don't maintain their sweetness for very long.

Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 80-90 (Spring/Summer)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Tender

Corn is a tropical grass and needs warm weather. It is not at all hardy.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Summer
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: Early
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot

Corn is a sub-tropical plant and uses C4 photosynthesis, which enables it to grow more efficiently in high heat and light levels. It needs warm weather and as much sunlight as it can get.

Sweet Corn can be grown in an intensive bed, but it must be in a large block for best pollination. There must be at least a group of 12 plants to insure good pollination.

It is a tall growing plant, so must be planted where it won't shade other plants.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F

Corn needs a warm soil for good germination. It will take 3 weeks to germinate at 50 degrees, but only 4 days at 80 degrees.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot)

Corn uses an especially efficient form of photosynthesis that enables it to grow rapidly in the high intensity light and heat of the tropics. It should be placed in the sunniest spot in the garden.
Water: Moderate

The best way to irrigate is with a soaker hose or a drip system. Don't use sprinklers during the pollen shedding stage, as it may affect pollination.
Feeder: Heavy

Corn is a notoriously hungry plant, which isn't surprising when you consider how fast it can grow. For best growth it needs generous amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as all of the other plant nutrients.
Suitability: High heat, Needs lots of space
Small Gardens?: No
Containers?: Yes, but will need a large one, like a half wine barrel

It is possible to grow corn in a large container of fertile soil, but it's probably not worthwhile. Be aware that you won't get much for the space it takes up, and you will have to hand pollinate such a small number of plants.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Golden-yellow and butter-yellow
Fruit Size: 7.0 - 8.0"
Plant Height: 72.0 - 96.0"
Plant Diameter: 12.0 - 18.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance: -
Taste Profile: Tender and succulent with a sweet traditional corn taste.
Rotation Group: Soil Builders and Cleaners: Legumes + Corn + Potatoes

Legend

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Plant Guide

Corn : Double Standard

Open pollinated, bi-color variety

Double Standard

Basics