Sweetest corn variety? - General Gardening - Growing Fruit

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If you are hunting a white se2 type hybrid this might be what you are after HYBRID SWEET CORN, VX XTRA-TENDER . Disease resistance is much higher and it is a 70 day type corn. I would stick with open pollinated types myself like silver queen. These super sweet hybrids i mentioned really can cause a lot more extra sugar intake than you would ever guess. The OP types taste more like corn and less like sugar. That hybrid type is called resolve https://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/12-sweet-corn-varieties-for-growers-that-are-sweeter-and-hardier-than-ever/#slide=--9

So you may be wondering how it all works. The document and link will help

corn-sweet-types-comparison-chart.pdf (329.9 KB)

" SWEET CORN TYPES – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Double Standard
Sugar Buns
Latte
Look for the following to the right of each variety name: (su), (se) (se+),
(syn), and (sh2).
Normal Sugary (su).
Sugars convert to starch rapidly after picking. Old-fashioned corn flavor.
289G Double Standard
Sugary Enhanced (se) and (se+).
A four-gene trait that modifies the (su) or (sh2) gene. The result is
increased tenderness and sweetness. Conversion of sugar to starch after
picking is slowed. Isolate from (sh2) and dry/pop corn. (se) varieties have
the traits from both parents and hence are “homozygous se”; (se+) varieties
are hybrids between two (se) parents, or “fully sugary enhanced,” and are
sweeter.
267 or 267T Sugar Buns
Synergistic (syn).
Each synergistic ear has 75% (se) kernels and 25% (sh2) kernels. The sweet
taste blends (se) tenderness with (sh2) crispness. Allow kernels to get plump
before picking. Isolate from (sh2) and dry/pop corn.
G or Allure
or T Essence
T or Illusion
, R, or T Latte
or T Montauk
or R Quick Start
or T Temptress
SUPER SWEET
Shrunken 2 (sh2).
This gene results in heightened sweetness and slowest conversion to
starch after harvest. The abbreviation “sh2” refers to “shrunken,” the
appearance of the seeds (dry kernels). Isolate from all other corn types.
NEW Bolt XR
NEW Eden RMN
or R Inspiration
, R, or T Kickoff
G or RG Natural Sweet
or T Signature XR
or R Solstice
or T Superb MXR
or T Tempo XR
, R, or T Vision MXR"

Note : Eden is one of the latest

I’m not suggesting making hybrids is hard. It is very easy to develop your own unstable type hybrids. It can be done in one or two seasons

https://www.farmprogress.com/corn/hybrid-seed-corn-basics

Corn is popular https://blog.jungseed.com/growing-sweet-corn/

"

One of the highlights of summer is eating fresh sweet corn. Sweet corn hybridizers are constantly striving to develop varieties with improved flavor, seed germination, holding ability, and other desirable characteristics.

Types of Sweet Corn

Varieties of sweet corn are classified based on the type of sweetness genes they contain. The special characteristics of each class of sweet corn will appeal to different growers for different reasons. Different sweetness genes provide different levels of sweetness and flavor to each kernel, and each type has some specific isolation requirements to ensure high quality and flavor. Isolation can be achieved by physical space or by staggering planting times. Here are basic descriptions of all the different types.

Normal Sugar (su) Corn Varieties

These are the old-fashioned corn varieties that have a limited shelf life. You have to pick them and eat them right away or their sugar will be converted to starch. (Note that freezing stops the conversion process, so freezing right after picking will prevent sugar loss). They offer traditional corn flavor, but the old saying about having the water boiling before you pick sweet corn is quite apt when growing su sweet corn. Backyard and hobby growers love su sweet corn for it’s “down-home”, classic sweet corn flavor.

Sugary Enhanced (se and se+) Corn Varieties

Sugary enhanced varieties have increased sweetness compared to normal Sugary types. Because sugar levels are higher than su varieties, the sugar is more stable and kernels retain their sweetness longer than su types. These se and se+ varieties also have more of a “corn” flavor than sh2 types and the kernels have a creamier texture than sh2 types. Because the kernels are softer and more tender they are more apt to bruising when picked. Handle with more care during harvest to prevent serious damage. Farmers’ market growers and backyard growers appreciate the longer lasting sweetness combined with their classic corn flavor of the sugary enhanced types. Many se varieties offer the lowest number of days to maturity as well.

Supersweet (sh2) Corn Varieties

Supersweet varieties contain the “shrunken” (sh2) gene that increases sugar levels and greatly slows the conversion of sugar to starch. These varieties have the sweetest flavor and the longest shelf life of any type of sweet corn. Supersweet ears have kernels that are crisp and juicy in texture. All types of growers can take advantage of sh2 varieties, but rules for planting are a bit different.

Because they contain so much sugar and so little starch, the seed of sh2 varieties is smaller than the seed of other types of sweet corn, and it appears wrinkled and shrunken, hence the name. Because of the reduced carbohydrates within each seed, their reserves to fuel germination is lessened. As mentioned, these sh2 varieties should be planted only when soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60° F and at a shallower depth, to ensure positive results.

SSW Corn Varieties

SSW, or SuperSeedWare, varieties are a new, patented type of sh2 corn that provides all the eating quality benefits of sh2 without the poor germination and seedling vigor. Essentially, the SSW varieties switch off the sh2 genes as the kernels dry, resulting in fuller, less shrunken kernels that germinate better even with cool soil temperatures.

Synergistic Corn Hybrids

Synergistics are also newer varieties that combine both supersweet (sh2) and sugary enhanced (se) kernels in every ear. This provides the benefit of improved sweetness and shelf life combined with the flavor and tenderness of sugary enhanced genes. Usually, 25% of the kernels are supersweet and 75% are sugary enhanced, though this can vary among varieties.

Augmented Corn Hybrids

Augmented types are similar to synergistic varieties, as they contain both sh2 and se kernels. Unlike synergistic types, all the kernels on the ears contain both sh2 and se genes. This gives them the sweetness of supersweet varieties combined with the tender texture and good flavor of sugary enhanced types.

All of these more modern hybrids have excellent flavor and texture qualities enjoyed by all kinds of growers. Some offer good cold soil germinations while others perform better with warmer conditions, but there are so many good options, look for the one that best suits your needs.

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Sweet Corn Isolation Guidelines

To grow the best quality sweet corn, there are some basics you should know about sweet corn pollination. Planting the wrong types of corn together can result in tough, starchy kernels instead of the expected sweet, tender ears.

First, all types of sweet corn need isolation from all types of field corn, ornamental corn, and popcorn to avoid starchy kernels and poor flavor.

Normal (su) and sugary enhanced (se and se+) varieties can be grown side by side, without isolation. You can also plant more than one su variety or more than one se variety without isolation.

Supersweet (sh2) varieties should be isolated from all types of sweet corn other than augmented varieties. You can plant more than one sh2 variety side by side, and SSW varieties can be grown with supersweet varieties without a problem.

Synergistic (sh2 / se) varieties should be isolated from supersweet (sh2) varieties and other synergistic varieties.

Augmented (sh2 + se) varieties need isolation from all except sh2 types and other augmented varieties.

Isolation Methods

Isolation can be accomplished either through spacing or through timing. In garden settings, space non-compatible varieties at least 25 feet from other corns in the garden. For larger plantings (acre-sized and larger), isolate incompatible varieties by at least 200 feet. For fields larger than 20 ac. 8 to 16 border rows may be removed at harvest, to ensure the best quality from the rest of the field. In general, larger isolation distances are beneficial and help to ensure there is no unwanted cross-pollination.

Isolation can also be accomplished in time by planting varieties that mature 14 days or more apart. This helps to ensure that no pollen from incompatible varieties is present while another variety is producing silks.

Germination Temperatures

All sweet corn requires warm soil temperatures for good germination. For all types other than supersweet (sh2) varieties, the soil should be at least 55 degrees F before planting to ensure good germination. For untreated supersweet (sh2) seed, plant only after soils reach 65 to 70 degrees F. Treated supersweet (sh2) seed can be planted once the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees F, but as mentioned, planting depth should be ½ to 1 in. shallower in most soils."

When I started gardening, I only had the vaguest of understandings of different types of corn. My family had grown some hybrid sweet corn, and I knew that the popcorn they sold in the stores and the stuff people used as decorations in the fall were different. If you’re new to gardening or heirlooms, you might be in the same place. Browsing catalogs that offered heirloom and open-pollinated varieties of corn opened my eyes to the wide range of possibilities. It can be a bit overwhelming, so here are a few things to consider when selecting corn for the home garden. 

Hybrid Sweet Corn

We carry two varieties of hybrid sweet corn at SESE. Hybrid sweet corn has the advantage of typically maturing all at once, which can be helpful for some farmers. Most hybrids have also been bred to be extra sweet and to hold their sweetness after being harvested. Hybrid corn also has weak seedling vigor and doesn’t perform well in cool soil. For good pollination and ear development, open-pollinated corn should be planted in blocks at least four rows wide.

Open-Pollinated Sweet Corn

Unlike hybrid sweet corn, open-pollinated varieties often don’t mature all at once and aren’t always uniform in size. This feature can be helpful for home gardeners looking to harvest over a more extended period. They also have a more old-fashioned corn flavor that many home gardeners and seed savers value. The seedlings tend to be more tolerant of insect damage and cool temperatures than their hybrid counterparts. Open-pollinated corn should be planted in blocks at least 5-6 rows wide for good pollination and ear development.

Popcorn

Unlike sweet corn, you harvest popcorn when it’s fully mature and dry. You’ll then need to dry it further for it to pop nicely. Popcorn can be removed from the ear by hand or with a sheller to make the process easier. Today, we mainly use popcorn for popping, but traditionally some Native Americans also ground popcorn to make bread.

Flint, Dent, & Flour Corn

All three of these broad categories are types of grain corn. However, they differ in climactic adaptation, kernel composition, kernel shape, and best culinary uses.

Flint corns are a traditional favorite of the northeast because they thrive in cold, wet climates. They have hard, pointed kernels and are a good choice for cooking methods that involve boiling, like making polenta or johnnycakes.

Dent corns are what we focus on at Southern Exposure. They are typically heirlooms of the southeast and midwest. They get their name from their tell-tale dent created by a flinty ring surrounding a floury center which sinks and creates the characteristic dent as it dries out. Heirloom dent corns make excellent cornbread, hominy, and roasting ears. Some old-timers prefer eating the starchy dent corns in the same manner as sweet corns.

Flour corns are commonly grown in the Southwest but have been grown in many areas. They have soft, rounded kernels and, as the name suggests, are typically ground into flour. Their soft kernels create fine flour that can be used like wheat flour and is excellent for baking.

Gourdseed Corn

Gourdseed our one of our oldest corns and dates back to at least . They were once commonly grown in southern Virginia and were used for feed, roasting, and flour. The plants are heavily stalked and bear ears having a large number of rows of thin, deep kernels. Some varieties were so easy to shell that it only took a light touch to the ear.

Gourdseed corns were grown until about before hybrids became popular. In , gourdseed corn won the Great Corn Contest sponsored by the American Agriculturist, yielding 255 bushels per acre. Because of interest in hybrid corn, gourdseed corns were virtually extinct by the s, but recently they have been found to be valuable because of their resistance to some diseases, notably southern leaf blight. After a year-long search for this disease-resistant variety, Dr. Brown, former president of Pioneer Hi-Bred rediscovered gourdseed corn on a Texas farm.

There’s so much more diversity to explore than just a few varieties of sweetcorn you’ll find at your local grocery store. I highly encourage anyone with the space to grow some of their own corn and experience the joy of tasting sweet and nutty cornbreads, colorful, buttery popcorns, or sweet corns with vibrant flavors and histories. 

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