why do corn plants not have ears

Question

I have 6-7 foot tall candy corn plants. Tassels are beginning, but there is no sign of any ears. What is happening? I planted the corn around late May.

Answer 1

Your corn could have been lacking enough nitrogen and water. As a result, it didn't initially produce enough foliage to make good corn. Corn demands more nitrogen and water than most crops. Water stress delays the emergence of the silk more than it delays the tassel. So pollination may be lacking. The pollen may be spent before much silk shows up. Here is more information that may help: http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/silks.html