Zea

The genus Maize, or Maize (Zea), consists of four species, these are annual and perennial (however, the latter are also grown as annuals) plants. Among them is the world-famous common corn (Zea mais), which began to be grown in the Old World immediately after the discovery of America; today it is the most famous crop in the hot tropical climate zones of the planet. The stem is erect and strong with a height of 0.8 to 6.0 m. The leaves are regular stalk-embracing belt-shaped, with a very long leaf plate, green. Axillary inflorescences of female flowers-cobs, up to 45 cm long, wrapped in vaginal leaves. Inflorescences of male flowers are collected in apical panicles. Pollination is anemo-philic (with the help of wind). On each plant 1-2, less often 3 cobs are formed. The fruit-a grain-is usually yellow in color, but in decorative garden forms, the grains may be colored differently. Many garden forms and varieties of common corn have been obtained. Garden forms differ in various colors of leaves and seeds. 'Blue Cutie' has an ear of corn with small dark blue seeds. The 'Fiesta' has elongated grains, colored in yellow, red, blue and purple tones, arranged in a mosaic order. On the leaves of the variety 'Harlequin' - green and red stripes, the grains are dark red. The' Indian Horn 'grains are multicolored; the' Strawberry Horn ' has small dark red grains and yellow wrappers. The leaves of 'Four-colored' are characterized by green, yellow, white and pink stripes, 'Mottled' - white stripes.

The genus Maize, or Maize (Zea), consists of four species, these are annual and perennial (however, the latter are also grown as annuals) plants. Among them is the world-famous common corn (Zea mais), which began to be grown in the Old World immediately after the discovery of America; today it is the most famous crop in the hot tropical climate zones of the planet. The stem is erect and strong with a height of 0.8 to 6.0 m. The leaves are regular stalk-embracing belt-shaped, with a very long leaf plate, green. Axillary inflorescences of female flowers-cobs, up to 45 cm long, wrapped in vaginal leaves. Inflorescences of male flowers are collected in apical panicles. Pollination is anemo-philic (with the help of wind). On each plant 1-2, less often 3 cobs are formed. The fruit-a grain-is usually yellow in color, but in decorative garden forms, the grains may be colored differently.

Many garden forms and varieties of common corn have been obtained. Garden forms differ in various colors of leaves and seeds. 'Blue Cutie' has an ear of corn with small dark blue seeds. The 'Fiesta' has elongated grains, colored in yellow, red, blue and purple tones, arranged in a mosaic order. On the leaves of the variety 'Harlequin' - green and red stripes, the grains are dark red. The' Indian Horn 'grains are multicolored; the' Strawberry Horn ' has small dark red grains and yellow wrappers. The leaves of 'Four-colored' are characterized by green, yellow, white and pink stripes, 'Mottled' - white stripes.

Cultivation

Corn as an ornamental crop is grown in the open ground to mask unsightly places, create bright color spots in the general range of the flower garden and background in plantings of annuals and small groups on a flat space, and use in compositions. It is cultivated on fertile, organic-rich soils. It responds well to the application of large amounts (7-8 kg/m2) of organic fertilizers, such as rotted manure and mineral fertilizers (30 g/m2). The distance between the plants is left at least 40 cm. If corn is planted in an open area, supports will be required, at least at an early stage of development. Grain harvesting is performed when the cobs begin to dry up, and the grains no longer secrete milky juice.

Corn as an ornamental crop is grown in the open ground to mask unsightly places, create bright color spots in the general range of the flower garden and background in plantings of annuals and small groups on a flat space, and use in compositions. It is cultivated on fertile, organic-rich soils. It responds well to the application of large amounts (7-8 kg/m2) of organic fertilizers, such as rotted manure and mineral fertilizers (30 g/m2). The distance between the plants is left at least 40 cm. If corn is planted in an open area, supports will be required, at least at an early stage of development. Grain harvesting is performed when the cobs begin to dry up, and the grains no longer secrete milky juice.

Location

Corn is a light-loving plant, it needs a place in the open sun. Decorative corn is afraid of winds, especially when grown in single plantings.

Temperature

Thermophilic, successfully cultivated in the southern regions, the optimal growing temperature is 21-30 °C.

Watering

Quite a moisture-loving culture. In the hottest periods, especially at the flowering stage, abundant and frequent watering is required.

Care

Remove dried and damaged parts of the plant.

Reproduction

Corn is sown in late spring, in May, immediately in the ground, when there is no longer a danger of frost, they are arranged in rows, 2-3 seeds in each planting hole. Seedlings are thinned out and the soil is loosened at the same time. If necessary, produce hilling (loosen the ground around the plant, rake it to the base of the stem, covering the lower part).

Diseases

It is rare for ornamental crops to be threatened by pests that cause serious damage to agricultural crops (for example, the stem moth, which chews through the passages in the stems), unless, of course, they are planted near a corn field. In order to get rid of the stem moth, after collecting the cobs, cut the plants under the root and burn the remains or treat the entire site with chemical preparations. Pests that bite through the plant's soft tissues and suck the sap out of them are also dangerous. In this case, appropriate insecticides are used. Main threat - snails that are disposed of with baits. Other troubles are associated with fungi-saprophytes-blackening of leaves and cobs occurs. But this disease rarely takes on such a serious scale that it requires special treatment.

Acquisition

Decorative corn seeds can be found in the most extensive range of retail outlets selling seeds. Check the expiration date when purchasing.