Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

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LeftField11
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Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by LeftField11 » June 8th, 2017, 10:39 am

I'm not sure where to post this, but I chose the Organic forum since cracked corn might be used more amongst the "organics".

I spread cracked corn on 13 May as part of an attempt at a biofungicide program. 15 lbs per 1000 sq ft. About 10 days later I noticed a couple sprouts and didn't think much of it. A few more days and it had sprouted everywhere. It is thoroughly dispersed through my KBG, especially in thin areas.

A couple searches here and it sounded like the corn would not survive a couple mowings. Well I've mowed approximately 5 times (@ 3") since it sprouted, each time hoping to see it whither away, but it appears to still be going strong.

I'm getting a little concerned, but trying to remain patient. My specific concerns are these:

1.) Obviously, it looks like s**t - light green corn sprouts all through my nice KBG, I'd like them to go away.
2.) If the corn sprouted, did it not provide the biofungicide benefit by breaking down into the soil?
3.) I'm due to apply corn again next week - is this going to happen every time I spread corn?

Should I seek a different source for my cracked corn?
Should I use a post-m to kill the corn? If so, what?

Thanks for any advice, hopefully this is much ado about nothing.

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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » June 8th, 2017, 11:12 am

Once you mow it a few times it will die. Cracked corn just does this. Not all of them get cracked enough :D :D :D

If you really hate it - would cornmeal be a decent replacement?

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by g-man » June 8th, 2017, 1:34 pm

What is your source? I'm using tractor supply and have spread 150lb this year. I think I saw one sprout. If you are getting a lot then it is not really getting cracked. A different source might give you better results.

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by PSU4ME » June 8th, 2017, 3:32 pm

Just curious, you sure its corn and not another grassy weed?

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LeftField11
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by LeftField11 » June 8th, 2017, 3:33 pm

g-man wrote:
June 8th, 2017, 1:34 pm
What is your source? I'm using tractor supply and have spread 150lb this year. I think I saw one sprout. If you are getting a lot then it is not really getting cracked. A different source might give you better results.
I bought mine from Tractor Supply too. 50 lb bags, 3 of them. I have a local feed mill where I'm pretty sure I can buy bulk cracked corn, but I was worried about it being a little "dirtier". Weed seed and whatnot.

We had a ton of rain after I put it down, maybe it was just bad luck that it sprouted on me. Today I think the corn looks like it might be fading. I mowed last night. Plan to mow again Saturday, maybe that will be enough to finish it off.


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1977212
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by 1977212 » June 8th, 2017, 5:58 pm

I did 2400lbs of corn last year and half of them sprouted and stayed for months. Defiantly didn't go away with a few mows

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LeftField11
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by LeftField11 » June 9th, 2017, 7:32 am

PSU4ME wrote:
June 8th, 2017, 3:32 pm
Just curious, you sure its corn and not another grassy weed?
Yes, because when I first saw them I thought the same thing and panicked. But I pulled a couple up and you could actually see the corn kernel at the base of the plant still.

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by g-man » June 9th, 2017, 8:30 am

If you read the online reviews from tractor supply some folks are complaining. It seems like they are not having a consistent supplier. There are pictures of the content of the bags with corn cobs and junk. The ones I bought a couple of weeks ago had no problem.

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by Dchall_San_Antonio » June 12th, 2017, 1:02 pm

When corn is cracked it falls through a sieve. Everything on top of the sieve continues to be cracked until it falls through. A very few corn kernels are already small enough to fall through the sieve intact. Those will sprout.

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GeorgiaDad
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by GeorgiaDad » June 15th, 2017, 11:19 am

g-man wrote:
June 9th, 2017, 8:30 am
If you read the online reviews from tractor supply some folks are complaining. It seems like they are not having a consistent supplier. There are pictures of the content of the bags with corn cobs and junk. The ones I bought a couple of weeks ago had no problem.
Producer's Pride is the brand I get from TTC. Looks like it's gone down hill since last spring/summer. :blackeye: Guess I'll have to find another brand.

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by bernstem » June 15th, 2017, 6:42 pm

Even partially cracked corn can sprout if the embryo is intact. The corn plants drive me crazy so I don't use cracked corn anymore.

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by desirous » June 15th, 2017, 10:34 pm

Did you guys use pre-emergent? I got zero sprouts after applying about 17#/K of the Producer's Pride cracked corn.

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bernstem
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by bernstem » June 16th, 2017, 10:08 am

Yes. I have seen cracked corn sprout through a Barricade barrier. I don't know the effectiveness of Prodiamine in preventing corn germination, though.

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LeftField11
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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by LeftField11 » June 19th, 2017, 2:51 pm

I applied Prodiamine at .75oz / 1000 sf on 27 March. Apparently corn doesn't care.

The corn plants are still going strong, I won't be using cracked corn again.

What's the application rate for cornmeal? Pounds per 1000 sf? I'm guessing it has to be less than what the cracked corn application rate is.

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Re: Cracked Corn Sprouted Everywhere

Post by Dchall_San_Antonio » June 20th, 2017, 4:56 pm

Pounds are pounds. Corn meal goes on at 15-20 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

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