The question of whether an ear of corn can be used to grow a new crop is answered with a qualified “yes.” Corn kernels are the seeds of the plant, possessing the genetic material necessary to germinate. However, the successful transition from a kernel on the cob to a productive corn stalk depends on two major factors: how the kernels were handled after harvest and the specific genetic variety of the corn. Most corn purchased for eating has been processed or bred in a way that significantly reduces its ability to grow into a plant that will produce a desirable yield. Success hinges entirely on understanding these biological and agricultural limitations.
Determining Kernel Viability
The biggest hurdles for growing corn from a store-bought ear are the kernel’s physical viability and its genetic makeup. When sweet corn is harvested for consumption, the kernels are kept plump and moist, a condition that quickly leads to the destruction of the embryo if not planted immediately. Unlike dry grains, kernels intended for eating have not been cured or dried to the low moisture content required for long-term dormancy and successful germination.
Most commercial corn varieties are F1 hybrids, the first-generation offspring resulting from the cross of two distinct parent lines. These hybrids are specifically engineered for traits like high yield, uniformity, and disease resistance, which are maximized in that first generation. While a kernel from a hybrid ear will grow a plant, the corn it produces will be the F2 generation, which often exhibits “hybrid breakdown.”
The F2 generation results in unpredictable characteristics, producing plants that are highly variable, less vigorous, and have significantly lower yields than the parent plant. Saving seed from an ear is only reliably successful with open-pollinated (OP) corn varieties. OP corn, which is pollinated naturally by wind, will consistently produce offspring true to the parent type, allowing gardeners to save and replant the seeds year after year.
Preparing and Planting the Seeds
For any corn kernel to grow, it must be carefully removed from the cob and prepared to act as a seed. The process involves shelling the kernels from a fully mature and dried ear, which is particularly important for non-sweet varieties like popcorn or field corn. Once separated, the kernels should be completely dry before planting or storage to prevent mold and ensure the embryo remains dormant.
Corn is a warm-weather crop, and successful planting depends entirely on soil temperature. Seeds should not be sown until the soil temperature at a two-inch depth consistently measures at least 60°F. Planting in cold, wet soil causes the seeds to rot before they can germinate.
The ideal planting depth for corn seeds is consistently between 1.5 to 2 inches, which promotes strong nodal root development later in the plant’s life. Seeds should be spaced approximately 7 to 12 inches apart within the row to allow for proper plant development. Initial watering should be thorough, but the soil should not be allowed to become waterlogged, which can also lead to seed death.
Understanding Corn Variety and Pollination
The type of corn on the ear determines the final product, and cross-pollination can spoil the desired outcome. Sweet corn is bred for high sugar content and a tender kernel texture. Popcorn requires a specific hard endosperm and moisture level to pop. Field corn, or dent corn, is starchy and is primarily used for animal feed or milling.
Corn is a wind-pollinated plant, possessing both male flowers (tassels at the top) and female flowers (silks on the ears) on the same stalk. For an ear to develop a full complement of kernels, every single silk must catch a grain of pollen. This requires a significant amount of pollen to be distributed among the plants.
To maximize the chance of successful pollination, corn must be planted in a block pattern, not in a single, long row. A block of at least four short rows, such as a four-by-four square, ensures that the wind circulates the pollen effectively across the silks of all the plants. Planting in a single line often results in poorly filled ears with scattered, missing kernels because much of the pollen is simply blown away from the row.