6 SWEET CORN – 6.110 – PLANT FACTS and VARIETES

 
ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY   
6 SWEET CORN – 6.110 – PLANT FACTS and VARIETES

 
Sweet corn is s type of maize which has been bred for its high sugar and low starch content. Once the cob has picked the sugar in the kernels is steadily converted into starch, which is why the flavour of home-grown sweet corn cooked within an hour of picking is so much better than the taste of shop-bought.
The 6 – 8-inch cobs are borne on 4-6ft stems - the tassels at the top of the adult plant are the male flowers; the female flowers are the ‘silks’ above the immature cobs. The plants are decorative as well as useful, but are regarded as semi-tropical by many. There is still a widespread view that sweet corn cannot be grown outside Europe, but this is no longer true. Choose one of the early F1 hybrids which have revolutionised the reliability of sweet corn in this country. Rise the seedlings indoors and best for planting outdoors in peat pots, and transplant after wait for the rainy season. Set the out in a sheltered, sunny spot and it would have to be poor summer for this crop.
 
VARIETIES
First of all, Earlyking, Sundance and more at local distributer.
 
SOILFACTS
There are two basic soil requirements – good drainage and enough humus to ensure that the ground will not dry out too quickly. Ideal it should be slightly acid reasonably fertile and deep, but the situation is more important than the soil type.
 
Choose a spot in full sun which is sheltered from the wind. Dig in winter incorporating peat or old compost if the previous crop was not manured. Rake in Grow more fertilizer about 2 weeks before sowing or planting.
 
Text from The Vegetable & Herb Expert D.D.G. Hessayon
 
 
KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
6 MAHINDI TAMU – 6-110 – UKWELI WA MIMEA na VITAMU
 
Mahindi matamu ni aina ya mahindi ambayo yamekuzwa kwa sukari nyingi na wanga kidogo. Mara tu kibuzi kikishachuna sukari kwenye kokwa hubadilishwa polepole kuwa wanga, ndiyo maana ladha ya mahindi matamu ya nyumbani yaliyopikwa ndani ya saa moja baada ya kuchumwa ni bora zaidi kuliko ladha ya kununuliwa dukani.
Mabua ya inchi 6 - 8 hubebwa kwenye shina 4-6ft - tassels juu ya mmea mzima ni maua ya kiume; maua ya kike ni ‘hariri’ juu ya masuke machanga. Mimea ni ya mapambo na pia ni muhimu, lakini inachukuliwa kuwa ya nusu ya kitropiki na wengi. Bado kuna maoni yaliyoenea kwamba mahindi tamu hayawezi kukuzwa nje ya Uropa, lakini hii sio kweli tena. Chagua mojawapo ya mahuluti ya awali ya F1 ambayo yamebadilisha utegemezi wa mahindi matamu katika nchi hii. Inua miche ndani ya nyumba na bora zaidi kwa kupanda nje kwenye vyungu vya mboji, na kuipandikiza baada ya kusubiri msimu wa mvua. Weka nje katika sehemu iliyohifadhiwa, yenye jua na ingekuwa majira ya joto duni kwa zao hili.
 
AINA MBALIMBALI
Awali ya yote, Earlyking, Sundance na zaidi katika msambazaji wa ndani.
 
SOILFACTS
Kuna mahitaji mawili ya msingi ya udongo - mifereji ya maji nzuri na humus ya kutosha ili kuhakikisha kwamba ardhi haiwezi kukauka haraka sana. Inafaa iwe na asidi kidogo yenye rutuba na kina, lakini hali ni muhimu zaidi kuliko aina ya udongo.
 
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