How To Grow Corn From Seeds At Home | Corn Seed Germination

Read below how to grow corn at home from seedsand the fastest method of corn seed germination, even in a small garden or indoors. The corn seed germination experiment reveals that by pre sprouting the corn seeds and then planting them in soil is the fast method for growing corn from kernels. It would take about 3 months for corn to grow from seed to harvest. 

Two methods of growing corn from seeds and even from a cob are given.

Corn Plants From Seeds

Growing Corn From  Seeds

Buy dry corn seeds, these will not rot in soil. You can also grow corn from fresh kernels, but many of the seeds will rot and the success rate will be lower. There is no need to soak fresh sweet  corn kernels in water for sprouting.

Growing Corn from Popcorn

Can you grow corn from popcorn. Yes, some of the popcorns will germinate. You can grow corn from popcorn in a similar manner as you would grow corn from seeds kernels. Plant unflavoured and unsalted popcorn kernels about 1 inch deep in a sunny spot.

Soaking the Corn Seeds

In both the methods, the first step is to soak the seeds in water for up to 24 hours. You can soak in lukewarm water if the normal water is too cold.

Throw away any floating seeds after 24 hours, they are not viable and will not germinate.

Sowing the Corn Seeds In Soil

1. Sow the seeds, about 2- to 5cm (1 to 2 inch) deep, about 10 cm (4 inch) apart. Keep a distance of 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft) between rows.
2. The seeds will germinate in about 10 days or less, depending on the temperature.
3. Sow seeds in 3-4 rows so that the corn plants are close to each other, This will help in pollination by wind.
4. The germination rate of sweet corn seeds is about 75%.

How To Germinate Corn Seeds in Kitchen Paper Towel

The fastest method of growing corn from seed is to first germinate corn seeds in a paper towel and then planting the sprouted seeds in soil. The procedure for sprouting and germinating corn seeds using a paper towel is good for all types of corns including sweet corns.

1. Take a small box and lay a kitchen paper towel in it.
2. Place the soaked corn seeds on the paper and fold the paper.
3. Spray some water on the folded paper and close the box. Instead of using a box, you can enclose the folded paper in a Zip lock bag or wrap in a polythene sheet.
4. The corn seeds inside the box are in high humid environment needed for germination.
5. Place the bag in a dark warm place.
6. The seeds will take 3 to 10 days to sprout, depending on the temperature.

Corn Seeds Sprouts in Paper Towel

Planting Germinated Corn Seeds in Soil

Next step is to plant the sprouted seed in soil.

1. You can plant the sprouted corn seeds in your garden as mentioned above.
2. You can also first grow corn seedlings in small pot and then transplant them in garden.
3. Take a small pot with drainage  holes.
4. Fill the pot with a soil mix containing perlite or coarse river sand and potting mix. 
5. Plant the germinated corn seed just below the soil with sprout part out of the soil.
6. Place the pot in direct sun. Keep moist.
7. The corn seedling will grow in a few days.

Germinated Corn Seed. Bury the roots (white) in ground.

Growing Corn Indoors

1. To start corn plants indoors, sow seed in free-draining soil 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and place in a place where temperature is 21°C (70°F) or more. 
2. Seeds germinate in 4 to 10 days.
3. Corns growing indoors will need less water. Do not overwater the plant, too much water may kill the plant due to root rot.

Corn Seedlings

How to Grow Corn From a Cob

It is interesting to grow corn from a cob. It is a good experiment for kids.

1. Fill a bowl with 1 inch water. Remove the corn kernels from lower half of the cob and place the corn cob in a bowl with 1 inch water with the remaining kernels in air.
2. Place in a sunny spot. Within a few days you will see the sprout coming out and the roots growing in the water.

Video on Growing Corn from Seeds