text: Sunlight. Firstly, check how much light does your space receive in a day. Corn demands direct sunlight all day. In Obligacion’s experience, corn thrives best with eight to ten hours of sun exposure. In case your area receives six to seven hours of sunlight per day, she says it’s still possible to grow corn, yet, they won’t reach their maximum size.
  Timing. Obligacion said it is best to grow corn during the summer. Growers can sow their seeds by January or February. After three to four months, corn cobs will likely be ready for harvest. She recalls growing corn during the rainy season saying, “It did not end well. The corn tassels got drenched, which made it difficult for me to do proper pollination.”
  Germination. Corn seeds can be sowed directly on the ground or in small cups. Like melon seeds, these can germinate in just a week.
  “Sometimes, I give the plant’s main stem a light tap, so the pollen falls down. But, I also use my fingers to lightly gather some of the opened tassels and sprinkle them directly on the silk of the corn cobs,” Obligacion said.
  Container. In one pot, you can sow two corn seedlings at a distance of 10” from each plant. If using deep five-gallon containers, place them together as this may also help in pollination, too. The wider space, the higher the chance to produce bigger corn plants and cobs. Obligacion grows corn in container beds and sets a one-foot distance in every plant.
  Soil. Prepare a well-draining soil for your corn. Loam soil is a great medium to use as they retain moisture and drain easily. Obligacion suggests adding compost, vermicast, carbonized rice hull, or chicken manure to the mix. Adding mulch atop the soil will also keep the soil moist and avert them from weeds and diseases.
  Water. Since corn has a shallow root system, it’s important to stick to your watering schedule to avoid inducing stress to the plants. Water them frequently to keep the soil moist. If corn silks (female flowers) and tassels (male flowers) are wet, pollination may not be successful, leading to the poor growth of kernels. With this, avoid drenching their leaves, cobs, and tassels by watering from above to prevent them from getting fungal diseases, too.