It seems that I have read somewhere that honeybees don't really care for corn. The reason being because of the genetic manipulation. I am growing an heirloom verity called "Tennessee Red Cob Corn"(TRCC). It is supposed to be the absolute best to grind down to meal for cornbread making. A friend of mine swears that it makes the best cornbread in the world.
...anyway.., Last year I didn't grow anything because the root knot nematodes were so bad the year before. I remember back than that I had absolutely no bees on my TRCC. I also didn't have bees. This year they are wearing it out. It's such a great pleasure to go out in the garden and hear the buzzing of honeybees. I'm wondering if it's because it's heirloom or if the story about them not fooling with GMO corn was just bunk. Any comments?
btw, That TRCC has always grew tall, I mean dang tall! I will have to stand on something to reach some of the "bottom" ears. From two years ago I have a picture of me holding a hoe up all the way and it not reaching the top of the stalks. Yes, 2 to 3 ears a stalk, and decent size.
Hello GSF,
I'm growing corn for the first time and there were bees all over it, pollen sacks full. I see though how easy the wind pollination is as the pollen is very fine and you can see it drift. I am hoping we don't have the same trouble with genetic modification here.
The variety I planted is not so tall (unless you are very short, GSF). Some of it does not grow as tall as my head, and some of the later ones I planted to fill in bare spots have got cobs when they are only about 2 foot tall. It would not make a very good maize maze, that's for sure. They used to have one at Arthur's Seat in Victoria.
My main trouble is what on earth do I do with all the corn?
Lone
Hey Lone, I'm about 5'11". It's just this corn - I guess. We have other types around here that will do good to get head high. If I remember right some of it got close to eleven or twelve feet tall. Usually when it gets that tall too much of the wrong fertilizer was applied at the wrong time and it has stalk but little fruit, this one bears pretty good.
i've seen them work silver queen hard. i think they'll work it fine but the pollen isn't all that nutritious if i remember right.
Sweet corn is not tall usually and my bees work the tassels for pollen. But I have read there is not a lota nutrition. Probably better then nothing though.