How corn propagates: site selection, growing and caring for seedlings

At the end of the 15th century, Christopher Columbus brought to Europe a unique plant - corn. But judging by archaeological and geological studies, the eating and reproduction of golden cereal began at least five thousand years earlier. Corn came to Russia at the end of the 17th century, but the plant became more widespread in the 60s of the last century.

Corn or maize (from the Latin Zea mays) is an annual herbaceous plant that cannot reproduce on its own. The fact is that the grains are so firmly attached to the cob that even at the stage of full ripening they do not fall to the ground, and the fallen cob rots along with the seeds.Perhaps that is why the plant is not found in the wild, and scientists have not been able to determine the ancestor of modern corn. And there is even a theory about the alien origin of the plant, and corn is also called the gift of the gods.

How is corn propagated in household plots?

An attempt to cultivate corn on an agricultural scale in Russia has failed. Maize is a heat-loving plant and can hardly tolerate temperature changes; in difficult Russian conditions, it is cold. But it is not difficult to grow corn on a personal plot, having surrounded the plant with attention and knowing certain agrotechnical methods.

Site selection and soil preparation

Preparation for planting corn begins in the fall. The future harvest largely depends on the right place:

• The site should be located on the south side, be protected from wind and drafts, and well lit by the sun.
• Corn is demanding on the quality of the soil. For normal growth and development, she needs fertile soil with moderate moisture.
• To enrich the soil with nutrients, organic fertilizers are applied to the soil in autumn and dug up. For these purposes, you can use compost, rotten manure or peat.
• Cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes or legumes are the best precursors to corn. The landing site must be changed every three years.
• Acidic soils are limed in spring (3 kg of lime per 10 sq. m of land).
• Before planting, complex mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil to stimulate plant growth and carefully dug up.

Preparation and sowing of seeds

The yield and resistance of plants directly depends on the quality of planting material. Therefore, seeds should be selected large, he althy and without damage. Preparation:

• To test seeds for germination, they are placed in a 5% saline solution for five minutes. Only those grains that have settled to the bottom are considered suitable for planting.
• Further, to protect future crops from diseases, the seeds are treated either in a pink solution of potassium permanganate or in a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide.
• Sowing seeds is done when the threat of frost has passed, and the soil warms up to +10 degrees.
• The planting pattern is 30x60 cm, the depth of the holes is from 5 to 10 cm. On light soils, the sowing depth should be increased, and on heavy soils, reduced to a minimum.
• Three grains of varying degrees of germination are placed in each well: dry, swollen and sprouted. Thanks to this method of planting, the chances of getting friendly seedlings are significantly increased.Even if the germinated grains die, the remaining ones will hatch. It remains only to choose the strongest and he althiest sprouts.
• After sowing the seeds, the holes are mulched with peat from above.

Growing seedlings

In regions with colder climates, where spring comes later and the weather is not stable, corn is grown in seedlings:

• Seeds are sown from late April to mid-May.
• Separate containers or peat cups are filled with a nutrient substrate and a 3 cm deepening is made in each.
• 1-2 grains are placed in the resulting wells and sprinkled with a 1 cm layer of sand.
• 5 days before transplanting, plants begin to harden off, gradually accustoming young shoots to fresh air and sunlight.
• Three weeks later, the seedlings are ready for planting in the ground.

Features of care

Maize begins to bloom 6-7 weeks after germination, by which time the rapid growth of plants stops, and all the energy is spent on the formation of cobs. The plant reaches a height of 1.5 to 2.5 meters.

For the full development of the root system, it is necessary to loosen the soil regularly and remove weeds in a timely manner. It is recommended to loosen after each rain or watering so that the soil does not compact and moisture does not stagnate. With the seedless method of cultivation, the first loosening is carried out even before the germination of the grains, to a depth of no more than 4 cm.

Despite its heat-loving and drought-resistant nature, the plant needs watering, especially during flowering and grain formation. But it is important to remember that from an excess of moisture, plant growth stops, and the root system dies.If the soil is waterlogged, the green leaves will turn purple.

Cultivation of corn is impossible without periodic fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. The first is carried out in the phase of rapid growth of the plant, the second - during the flowering period, the third - in the maturation phase.

Besides this, corn plants need stem formation. To do this, stepchildren should be removed, leaving three cobs on each plant.

To avoid breaking plants, it is recommended to tie up tall stems. This is especially true in windy areas.

After harvesting, the earliest and largest specimens are left as planting material for next year, and the rest of the cobs are removed in a cool and well-ventilated place. Cobs are stored with foliage in a suspended state, and for long-term storage they can be frozen.

Corn: benefits and uses

Today, corn occupies a leading position in grain sales in the world, second only to wheat in popularity. In the United States, corn has long been propagated on an industrial scale and is still the main agricultural crop. This amazing plant has found application in various fields: food, fodder and technical.

Maize produces a variety of food and industrial products. Bread, cereals, margarine, gelatin, whiskey are made from grain; the leaves and cobs are used as animal feed, and the stems are used to produce paper, rubber, glue, plaster and other building materials.

The nutritional value of corn is superior to most vegetables, and the fiber keeps you feeling full longer.

The benefits of golden cereal for the human body are invaluable: it cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, protects against premature aging, supports the nervous system and strengthens the immune system.Regular consumption of corn is especially beneficial for children and the elderly. Corn is contraindicated for people with increased blood clotting and a tendency to thrombosis.

Corn stigmas contain vitamin K, ascorbic acid, fatty oil, resins and saponins. They are widely used in folk medicine. They are used in the treatment of liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. And also stigmas have diuretic and choleretic properties.

In addition to all these qualities, it should be noted that corn is also a beautiful plant that will effectively decorate any garden plot.

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