Corn Silks: The Hidden Key to Full Ears
Corn growers have long struggled with the mystery of why some ears turn out full and others are dotted with bare patches. A recent viral gardening video has shed light on this issue, revealing that corn silks play a crucial role in pollination.
The Epic Gardening video explains that each strand of silk leads to an individual kernel, and for each kernel to develop, pollen must land on its respective silk and move down to the kernel to begin fertilization. If any silk gets missed, it can leave an empty spot behind, creating gaps in the ear.
This is why most growers plant corn in blocks. By bunching plants together, they improve pollination and lead to fuller ears at harvest. In fact, growing corn in blocks can increase the chances of complete ears by allowing neighboring stalks to fertilize one another.