Who wouldn’t want a “mini cornfield” on their balcony? Watching tender green seedlings break through the soil, shoot up to 2 meters tall, leaves unfurling in the wind, and plump ears hidden between bracts—this sense of accomplishment from sowing to harvesting is more healing than buying ten pounds of corn!
But many friends always worry: “Is the balcony light enough?”
“Will the corn grow spindly and produce empty cobs?”
“It’s so hot in Fujian in August—Is it still too late to plant now?”
Don’t panic! This ultra-detailed guide to growing corn on the balcony will teach you step by step to avoid all pitfalls and easily achieve “corn freedom”!
Step 1: Seed selection and germination are key
Planting supermarket corn kernels at first all failed—choosing the right seeds is the key!
Seed selection: For sweet corn, choose Jinbaitian/Snow Waxy; for fruit corn, look for Jinguang 218.
Three-step germination method: Soak in warm water for 3 hours → wrap in a wet paper towel for 2 days until white tips appear → 99% germination rate when sown!
Step 2: Sowing schedule + container guide
In the north, sow when the soil temperature reaches 12℃ at the end of April; in the south, plant two crops in March and August. Sisters in Fujian, hurry up and plant in August!
On the balcony, use a 40cm deep planting box; for in-ground planting, build 20cm high ridges to prevent waterlogging.
Sowing tips:
① Dig 3cm holes, put 2 seeds in each hole (to prevent bird pecking)
② Keep a plant spacing of 35cm and row spacing of 60cm (overcrowding leads to nutrient competition)
③ Cover with soil and water thoroughly—sprouts will emerge in 5-7 days!
Step 3: Three key points for water and fertilizer management to ensure plump corn without bald tips
Seedling stage: Water with rice water once a week (prevents lodging, makes stems super strong)
Tasseling stage: Sprinkle wood ash + sheep manure fertilizer (makes corn cobs plumper)
Filling stage: Spray water mist in the morning and evening (the key to juicy kernels!)
Pollination tip: When the tassels are shedding pollen, shake the plants every morning to aid pollination and reduce bald tips!
Pest control + harvesting guide
Hang yellow sticky traps to prevent aphids; spray Bacillus thuringiensis for corn borers; immediately remove leaves with egg clusters.
Harvest signal: Corn silk turns dark brown, and milky juice oozes when kernels are pinched. The best harvest window is only 3 days! Freshly picked and boiled, the sweetness is maximized~
How to grow corn in pots on the balcony
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