Growing sweetcorn in pots

[SunnyKlara]

I'm trying this for the first time this year. I had little hope, due to the size of the plant, but fresh sweetcorn is my absolute favourite thing. I used to get it from a friend with an allotment, but she has moved, so desperate times call for desperate measures.

Well, I am astonished and very excited to see that I have the start of ears! (I'm sure there is a better technical term, but seeds where ears would form)

Problem is, they are very close, and in some cases touching the roof of the greenhouse. I need to move them outside don't I? Will they be OK?

As long as you move them gradually (so if they've had a bit of shade and humidity in the greenhouse don't suddenly shove them out into full sun all day on a 30 degree day), protect them from getting blown over, and arrange them in a block so they can pollinate each other they'll be fine. Close together actually works well for sweetcorn.

Thanks @Gliblet

I'll start by leaving the greenhouse open at night to reduce the humidity and go from there. I have a pretty sheltered garden by uk standards, so not too worried about that bit.

How quickly do the seeds become ears? I'm going on holiday in 2 weeks and have got an greenhouse irrigation system set up to keep everything alive. Will I need to move the corn out before then?

Although, I'm less worried about the corn survival than the tomatos, water wise. It seems quite happy with a dousing once a week rather than keeping moist. Although that might just be in the humid confines of the greenhouse I suppose...

The ears form further down the stem - between 1/3 and 2/3 of the way down. The fluffy bits on the top are the flowers and will need to be able to wind-pollinate to fruit so if you want ears of corn to form you need to get them out and into a block shape so they can swap pollen!