Floriani Corn Report

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In the spirit of experimentation, we planted two sections of Floriani Flint Corn in the 2024 season.

Each section was about 15 x 15 feet – not very large!

The soil had been prepared in prior years using the Living Soil method of compost tea “fracking.” (I’m sure there is a better term than that!)

When we planted, the ground had a light amount of mulch from prior cover crops and hay.

  1. Plot #1 we removed the mulch and planted rows about 15 feet long by 2 feet across. Seeds were planted 3-4″ apart.
  2. In Plot #2 cover mulch was not removed. Rows were not used. The corn was just planted by pressing into the soil.

These plots were right next to each other.

Plot #2 did significantly better. It was taller, greener, and produced more kernels.

Plot #1. Corn planted June 1 2024
Two weeks old. June 16 2024. Both plots were covered with bird netting which was removed when the corn reached a couple feet in height. The white arches are pex plumbing tubing.
July 24 2024 – corn is nearly 2 months old.
There was a freak storm in late August. This photo is from September 1 2024. Despite the storm damage, it shows the differences between the two plots, as well as how close they are in proximity.

The corn was harvested in late October. It was wet and while harvested slightly early, turned out fine. We let it cure on the cob for several weeks on shelves in a cold barn, and shucked it on Thanksgiving.