Maize
Zea mays 'Fiesta'
Also known as
Corn, Mealie, Sweetcorn, Mielies, Suikermielies (Afr.)
Corncobs edit1 by User:Waugsberg (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Full Sun
Moderate care
Moderate watering
Tender
6a-11b
USDA zone
-23°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
2.5m | Max | 50cm |
1.5m | Min | 40cm |
1 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
Maize Overview
Maize is a large annual vegetable that needs lots of water, added plant food and direct sun. Starch in sweet corn is converted into sugar more readily while the starch in maize will stay. These plants require plenty of space in the vegetable garden. They will quickly grow to about 2 meters high! What makes them attractive for a garden is the varying colours of the kernels. 'Fiesta' is a cultivar of the traditional corn that produces large multicoloured cobs ranging from pale pinks through to purples that are so dark they're almost black and various oranges and yellows mixed in too.
Common problems with Maize
Wireworm, stalk borers and black beetles are the most found insect pests on corn. Control with insecticide and keep the area weed free.
Maize Companion Plants
Beans, cucumbers, peas, squash, potatoes, parsley
How to harvest Maize
The cobs will be ready to harvest 70 - 80 days after sowing. The 'beard' usually dries and looks brown. To harvest a cob, grasp it firmly, bend it down and pull toward the ground with a twisting motion. Husk and cook or freeze immediately for best quality. Husks can be shredded and then composted or dug back into the garden soil.
How to propagate Maize
Seed
Sowing time best during Spring and Summer. Sow the sweetcorn and maize in blocks rather than rows for effective wind pollination. Sowing depth between 40 - 50 mm and germination time is 5 - 7 days.
Special features of Maize
Crop rotation
Heavy Feeder
Attractive leaves
Light to medium green thick stem with long green stemless leaves.
Wet sites
Hedge plant
Often used as a hedge in the vegetable garden.
Other uses of Maize
Culinary
Edible
It is best to steam or grill corn on the cob to get its full nutritional benefits.