Double Red Sweet Corn

[Jang]

Yes, the main root hairs were red. I hope that’s a promising sign!

[Galina]

Did you see red roots when you transplanted them? Just some of the root hairs being red?

[Jang]

I planted out my Double Red in the polytunnel yesterday thinking they might be slightly protected from too much cross pollination in there.
The red colouration Is definitely present in the stalks but not as prominent as in some of jayb’s earlier photos. Perhaps it will develop as the plants mature or I wonder if it’s related to growing conditions.

[Jang]

So investing in something like this seems worthwhile? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100Pcs-Ec...foSa5mvlUuT7DA

[jayb]

Agreed.

[Galina]

Usually paper bags are recommended, like the paper bags for supermarket speciality rolls or the type you get from market vegetable traders. But in prolonged rainy weather or in windy weather they are not particularly practical.

[Jang]

Thanks. That’s very helpful. In my ignorance I’ve given seed to the Seed Circle which is likely to be below par. I’ll put a warning out.

For hand pollination have you bought special bags for both tassels and ears?

[jayb]

If I've been looking to save seed from one variety, I've aimed at 100 to 150 plants grown in a block and when possible hand-pollinated too. If looking for a crossing between varieties, fewer plants are fine but then you get into are they going to flower at the same time. Plus they don't always cross-pollinate as much as you would think so hand-pollinating is needed to ensure as much crossing as possible. As Double Red is now available to buy in the uk I would probably choose this route for these.

I've not repeatedly saved and grown out named varieties so I can't give much own information, other than saved seed has always germinated and grown well. The two varieties I grew for the seed Circle were in excess of 100 plants, I think closer to 150 but this is from memory.

Others I know have produced good seed using I think around 50 plants and employing hand pollination.

[Jang]

Yes, this is part of what I’m wondering about having been made more aware of possible problems.
I had a stand of about 30 plants perhaps and saved seed from about six. Certainly not text book numbers but I’m not sure how serious the shortfall is. As I sent seed to the Seed Circle I’m feeling that perhaps I should warn that there might be some inbreeding depression.

[triffid]

I grew Hooker's Sweet Indian last summer, saved a lot of seed, but wasn't happy with the number of plants that made it through to adulthood. So I guess I'll see this season the results of limited population.

[triffid]

How many plants did you keep for the Medzi seeds?

[Jang]

Fresh from Carol Deppe, I'm wondering about breeding depression in relation to corn. You mentioned, jayb, in the earlier parts of this thread, saving seed from Double Red. The textbook advice seems to be that a large number of plants are needed to produce good quality seed.
How have you found this in practice? How necessary is it?

[triffid]

Seed I bought last year says 'ST Amateur variety'

[jayb]

Fingers crossed the mice have left them alone for you.

[clumsy]

jayb the multi coloured sweetcorn near got round it to carry on I still have the seeds that I harvest that year in the shed at the allotment as long as the mouse hasn't got them by now. I need to check on the plot sunday haven't been for a while.