How to Prune a Corn Plant
Corn plants overgrow and need a lot of attention. They also produce large amounts of corn, which is delicious when harvested at the right time. Corn plants require substantial pruning to make the best crop possible. This blog post will give you some helpful tips on how to prune a corn plant to get the best yield for the harvest season.
Growing corn is a rewarding process that anyone can do. You only need to worry about pruning the plants for optimal growth. To do this, start by removing any leaves on the ground or at the base of stalks. Next, remove any more significant than normal branches and cut back smaller ones, so they are all approximately 6-8 inches long with one leaf per node.
Finally, use sharp shears to trim off any extra buds on each branch that are not near the top of the plant. This will help ensure more energy goes into making ears instead of new shoots or kernels.
8 Ways on How to Prune a Corn Plant:
Here are some ways we have mentioned how to prune a corn plant.
1. Remove Dead Leaves:
If your plant is growing in a pot, check annually to see that it isn’t holding excess water. If so, remove the top few inches of soil and replace it with fresh potting mix. Any dead leaves should be removed at this time too.
2. Remove Branches:
Prune away any branches that are sticking out where you don’t want them and any dead branches at the base of the stem too.
3. Remove Suckers:
If new branches or suckers are growing in a place where you don’t want them, cut them off as soon as you see them. Suckers grow between the leaves and the stem of a plant, and if you don’t remove them, they can create new plants.
4. Remove Unwanted Leaves:
Give your plant a haircut and remove any leaves that are blocking light from other leaves. The more bottom leaves you cut off, and the more new ones will grow at the top once they become well-established.
5. Remove Seedling:
If your plant is in a pot and has grown to the size of a small tree, you should either move it or cut off its top. If you decide to let, it stay where it is, prune away any seedlings that pop up from the soil in a different location.
6. Remove Dead Flowers:
Remove dead flowers to encourage the plant to put energy into producing new blooms. If you want, you can snip off any green flower buds that are still in their “stiff” stage. Brown or shriveled flowers should also be removed since they won’t produce seeds if left on the plant.
7. Reduce Leaf Size:
If you prefer a smaller leaf, pinch off newer growth tips with your fingers to encourage the plant to produce a different leaf type. Just remember that if you do this too often, the leaves will eventually turn yellow and fall off on their own.
8. Prune for Aesthetics:
If your corn plant is starting to grow into another shape you don’t like, cut it back so only one main stem is left. The plant will respond by growing a new branch from the base of the stem, and you can train it to grow in any direction you want from that point on.
Corn Plant Caring Tips:
1. It is best to prune corn plants in early spring before active growth begins.
2. At the beginning of the season, prune corn plants to control the size and encourage them to flower more.
3. Pruning plants later in the season may damage blossoms that have already been produced. If you wish to pinch your plant’s height back, grab hold of its stem about five inches from where you would like to cut. Bend the stem until it breaks; you should now have a healthy branching point just below where it broke off.
4. Pinching is only necessary if you wish to maintain the short stature of your corn plant or need to rejuvenate an old or weak plant. Cut stems as described above, and new growth will occur on these cut points.
5. Never prune stems below leaf nodes, where leaves grow; if you do so, you will remove what might be needed for the plant’s food and sustaining processes.
6. Cut off dead and dying leaves and blooms as they appear to promote a healthier environment for your corn plant.
7. After pruning your corn plant, it is essential to let its leaves dry out for 24 hours before watering.
8. It is common for the ends of corn plant stalks to begin browning; you can pinch off these end bits or cut them off entirely with a sharp pair of scissors.
What Do I Do if My Corn Plant Is Too Tall?
Corn plants are very tall and may grow too tall for where you want to keep them. If this happens, the best thing to do is cut off a few feet of the plant’s height.
You can use a tool such as pruners or even a simple pair of scissors. Be sure to remove only a few feet, as you don’t want the plant to become unstable. Removing too much of the corn plant’s height will make it more likely that your plant will tip over.
What To Do if Corn Plant’s Leaves Are Yellow?
If your corn plant has yellow leaves, you should immediately move it to a well-lit location. You should consider moving it there if the plant is not in direct sunlight. You can also supplement with artificial lighting if necessary; be sure to place the light no more than a few inches above the plant.
Be aware of whether or not your corn plant is getting enough water; if it is not, you should consider watering more frequently. If all else fails, you can try feeding your corn plant with fertilizer to help it recover faster.
Conclusion:
The corn plant is a popular choice for gardeners because of its ability to grow both vertically and horizontally. It’s also easy to care for, making it a great addition to any yard or outdoor space. However, certain things as the season progress can lead to problems if left unattended.
With this in mind, we wanted to provide you with some tips on how to prune a corn plant. Doing so will ensure they remain healthy all summer long! Let us know if this was helpful or not in the comment below!
