How to Germinate and Harvest 988 F1 King Corn Seed

Corn has been cultivated by Malaysian gardeners for a long time due to the unbeatable, sweet taste of its fresh-picked ears. It’s important to note that growing corn takes up a lot of garden space, but when you taste the ears, you will know it’s worth it.  
 
Please note that the sugar in the kernels of ears of open-pollinated sweet corn varieties transforms to starch immediately after harvest. However, plant breeders have produced new and ever-sweeter cultivars that retain their sugar content for days, such as F1 King corn seeds.
 
F1 seeds are hybrids. They’re produced by pollinating one parent variety with a different one, giving particular characteristics to the resulting seed. 
 
If sweetness is your choice, germinating and harvesting 988 F1 King corn seeds is an excellent option. This type of variety produces ears with a combination of sugary-enhanced kernels and supersweet kernels. 

Planting 988 F1 King Corn Seeds

Germinate and Transplant

Step 1: Germinate

• Early sowings can be made into pots at 21° Celsius 
• Sow 2 seeds per hole, 2 centimeters deep
• Seven days after sowing, thin to 1 plant at 10 centimeters tall

Step 2: Transplant

Prepare a soil bed of approximately 40 centimeters in your vegetable garden. After 10 days, the seedlings are ready to transplant. Leave 30 centimeters between each plant. It’s an excellent idea to plant at least 4 rows. 
 
 Don’t forget to be very careful not to disturb the roots.

Seedling Care

During the first 7 days, reduce water and expose the plants to more sun 2 – 3 days before transplanting. 
 
 As mentioned, as soon as the plants are approximately 10 -15 centimeters tall, you need to transplant them. Once they’re in the soil bed, you need to water them early morning and late evening. 

Land Preparation

It’s key to place your corn beds in a sunny, wind-protected area. Remember that corn needs room to grow, so make sure to plant them 30 centimeters apart. Corn can grow up to more than 2 meters. 
 
Soil beds should be about 40 centimeters wide. Separate each soil bed about 50 centimeters to leave enough room to grow while promoting complete pollination. Make blocks of at least 3 rows wide. If you plant only 1 or 2 rows, you’ll need to hand pollinate to enhance kernel formation. 
 
Please take note that for every 2 meters, mix 60g 15:15:15 + 3kg chicken manure before transplanting. 

Tips

• Keep soil moist and well-fertilized and make sure to weed early for better plant nutrients
• For better pollination, avoid overhead watering when tassels appear
• Harvest corn in the morning when ears turn dark green and silk turns brown 

Fertilizer Application

Although 988 F1 King Corn Seeds flourish in tropical weather such as Malaysia, it’s important to water regularly, especially during dry seasons.
 
 Bear in mind that corn is a heavy feeder, especially when it comes to nitrogen, so don’t forget to use fertilizers. 

Follow the guideline below:

Make sure to add fertilizer near root tips approximately 2.5 centimeters deep. 
 
It’s essential to weed the rows regularly, but avoid using chemical herbicides as they’re not recommended for home gardens. 

Harvest King Corn

King corn is ready to harvest 65-70 days after sowing, and it is recommended to practice crop rotation to restore soil fertility and prevent pests and diseases. 
 
Please note that ears are ready to pick when the uncovered ear has tightly folded, green leaves and dried, dark brown silk. It’s essential to know that corn is best when the kernels are fully formed but not fully matured.  
 
Make sure to snap the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push, then twist and pull. Hold the cornstalk with your free hand. 
 
It’s an excellent idea to refrigerate the ears to slow the sugar-to-starch process. Make sure to use the corn within a day or two.  
 
 After harvest, you can use the dried stalks for decoration or pull out and compost.

The Bottom Line

Learning how to germinate and harvest King corn seeds is crucial to quality. Remember – the fresher the corn, the sweeter it’ll taste. Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll enjoy the corn at peak sweetness. For more information, feel free to get in touch with us.