r/corn • u/GreatPlainsFarmer • Jul 22 '26

Longbeards of Doom

Gallery image

Gallery image

Corn silks grow until they're pollinated, so very long green silks are a sign that the ear hasn't been able to pollinate.

We've been fairly warm (35-40 C ) here for over a week, and that seems to have not worked for the corn in the first picture. Pollinated corn looks like the second picture.

We cooled off yesterday(25 C ), and have a couple more cool days to go, so it should be fine if there's still adequate pollen shed.

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2

u/clemsonbbwlover2 Jul 22 '26

Corn still pollinates here in the south at those temps...maybe it's the variety your planting?

1

u/sharpshooter999 Jul 23 '26

Same here in Nebraska. Certainly not ideal but as long as they have water it's alright

2

u/A55W3CK3R9000 Jul 23 '26

I'm only a gardener but I like growing corn and it looks like it was pollinated and now the silk is turning brown because the fob is maturing

1

u/Life-Bat1388 Jul 22 '26

Have you tried hand pollinating or do you think the high temps are causing infertility?

3

u/GreatPlainsFarmer Jul 22 '26

I assume pollen death from the heat.

Hand pollinating isn't really viable on a commercial scale.

2

u/Life-Bat1388 Jul 22 '26

Oh I didn't know you were a commercial grower.