Why Haven't The Seedlings Of My Corn Emerged From The Soil?

Have you planted corn seeds when the weather was still cold?

Did you forget to water your corn seeds or were there any dry spells?

Did you water your corn with a strong spray of water or was there any heavy rain after planting?

Did you buy seeds from an unreliable source or used your stored old seeds?

Did you plant seeds in different soil depths than instructed on the seed package?

Are there any white, slender, 1/2 inch long larvae with brown heads in the soil?

Are there any white, slender, 1/3 of an inch long larvae in the soil?

Are there any inch and a half long, reddish to brown, slender, tough-bodied, segmented worms in the soil?

Are there any 1/4 of an inch long, yellow-white and spindle-shaped maggots in the soil?

Are there any thick, soft grubs curled in a C-shape in the soil?

Corn seed germinates poorly in cool soil and is more prone to insect damage and rots. Plant after soil is warm to prevent problems. Do not plant corn where grass grew the year before because many pests live in sod.

Once the seeds have started to grow, even before they have emerged from the soil, they will die easily if allowed to dry out. Check the seedbed and seed flats at least once a day. Water when the soil surface starts to dry slightly.

If a seedbed is watered with a forceful spray or heavy rain, water may wash away the seeds. Water seedbeds gently. Do not allow the water to puddle and runoff. Use a watering can or nozzle that delivers a gentle spray.

Unreliable sellers may sell old, diseased or inferior quality seeds with poor seed viability. Always buy seeds from reputable nurseries or seed companies. Plant seeds packed for the current year.

Seeds vary in their planting depth requirements. If planted too deeply or too shallowly, the seeds may fail to germinate. Plant seeds at the proper depth. Follow the instructions on the commercial seed packet or consult a reputable nursery.

The larvae are called Corn rootworms. Adults are beetles. Western rootworm beetles are yellow with 3 black stripes. Northern rootworm adults are yellow to pale green and southern rootworms (spotted cucumber beetles) are yellow-green with 11 black spots. Rootworm larvae feed on seeds and adults feed on leaves, silks and tassels. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting to control soil-dwelling pests.

These larvae are Seedcorn beetle larvae. Adults are a 1/3 of an inch long ground beetles with light brown edges. Both larvae and adults feed on seeds. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting to control soil-dwelling pests. Prevent adults from laying eggs on or near seedbed by covering it with a large piece of row cover after planting. Remove row cover when tassels appear.

These larvae are called Wireworms. Adults are dark-colored, elongated click beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting to control soil-dwelling pests. Prevent adults from laying eggs on or near seedbed by covering it with a large piece of row cover after planting. Remove row cover when tassels appear.

These larvae are called Seedcorn maggots. Adults are small flies. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting to control soil-dwelling pests. Prevent adults from laying eggs on or near seedbed by covering it with a large piece of row cover after planting. Remove row cover when tassels appear.

Those larvae are called White grubs. Adults are Japanese or June beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting to control soil-dwelling pests. Prevent adults from laying eggs on or near seedbed by covering it with a large piece of row cover after planting. Remove row cover when tassels appear.

Germinating seedlings are susceptible to damping-off disease. Fungi that cause damping-off attack seedlings as they emerge from the seeds. It usually occurs in wet and cool soil. Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. Delay planting in spring until the soil warms. Use seeds treated with a registered fungicide.