Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Corn Problem

SharonY 2SharonY 2 Posts: 19
in Problem solving
Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone could give me some advice please? I planted a few corn seeds in a big tub and after many weeks they have cobs on them. Trouble is it’s absolutely covered in tiny black insects so I sprayed it with a diluted washing up solution and they went and returned. Problem is when I went to spray again I notice several bigger black insects with orange in their backs and also a couple of ladybirds. Could it be the infestation is ladybird ‘babies’? I wouldn’t want to harm ladybirds. The plant is not very healthy but I’m not convinced these black specs are eating it. 🤷‍♀️I’m really not sure so any advice would be great. Thank you 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited September 2022
    I can't really tell from the picture, but have a look at this thread for some good pics of ladybird larvae and see if they match yours https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1051564/this-is-not-a-pest/p1
    For the corn, I wouldn't have thought it was a good plant for containers and any plant that's weak will be more prone to attack from things like aphids which could be what the tiny black insects are. If so, the ladybirds and their larvae will be having a feast on them.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • SharonY 2SharonY 2 Posts: 19
    Thank you. I followed the link and yes the bigger ones are definitely ladybird larvae. Question is, the tiny black specs are they a pest and the ladybirds are there enjoying a running buffet?? I don’t really want to spray the corn now so I think I will just have to leave it and see if any cobs survive. Thank you
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Those cobs look almost ready to me. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SharonY 2SharonY 2 Posts: 19
    Yes but they are still small. Can you pick them small?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2022
    Yes ... they won't grow any more now ... in a container they probably didn't get enough water to grow very big ... corn is a very thirsty plant ... it's been a hard year for sweetcorn ... the fields of it out here are half as tall as they should be.  But when the silks turn dark brown they're usually ready ... gently peel some of the 'wrap' open and stick your thumb nail into a kernel ... if the liquid is clear it's not ripe.  If it's milky it's ready to pick.  

    Take a look here https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/corn/tips-for-harvesting-corn.htm

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SharonY 2SharonY 2 Posts: 19
    🤣 I pulled one off 😂😂 It’s not ready but despite the infestation the corn underneath does look quite healthy. This kernel won’t go far in feeding though 😂 I’m going to have another bash at growing in a much larger container or in the garden. Thank you 👍
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2022
    That yellow kernel is the only one that’s been pollinated. The others will never turn into kernels. 
    There’s been a pollination problem … how and where are they planted?  Were the silks on that cob dark brown when you picked it?
    Can we see a photo of all the plants please? The whole kit and kaboodle so to speak. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2022
    Is this your ringed fellow?



    He's a ladybird larva.  Don't spray him.  (Do larvae have sex?  - not the verb)

    The black things probably blackfly.

    For the rest I would go with Dove.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Sign In or Register to comment.