Corn Tillers: What They Are and Why You Should Leave Them Alone
Corn is a staple crop in the United States, and many people grow it in their gardens or consume it in large quantities during the summer months. If you’re growing corn, you may have noticed small shoots growing from the base of the main stalk. These shoots are called corn tillers, and they’re a natural part of the corn plant’s growth process.
What Are Corn Tillers?
Corn tillers are vegetative or reproductive shoots that grow from the axillary buds on the lower five to seven stalk nodes of a corn plant. They’re essentially identical to the main stalk and can even form their own root system, nodes, leaves, ears, and tassels.
Tillers are often mistaken for suckers, which are shoots that grow from the roots of a plant and can rob the main plant of nutrients. However, corn tillers are not suckers and do not have a negative impact on the main plant’s growth.
When Do Corn Tillers Form?
Tillers typically form later in the growing season, when the corn plant has surplus energy to foster their development. They can also form after an injury to the main stalk, such as hail damage, frost, or insect damage.
Are Corn Tillers Detrimental?
There is no evidence to suggest that corn tillers have any adverse effects on the main plant. In fact, they may even provide some benefits, such as:
- Increasing the plant’s yield by producing additional ears of corn
- Providing a backup stalk in case the main stalk is damaged
Should You Remove Corn Tillers?
Since corn tillers are not harmful to the plant, there is no need to remove them. In fact, it’s better to leave them alone, as pruning them can damage the main stalk and open it up to insects or disease.
How to Identify Corn Tillers
Corn tillers can be identified by their location on the stalk and their appearance. They grow from the lower stalk nodes and are identical to the main stalk, with leaves, nodes, and ears.
Conclusion
Corn tillers are a natural part of the corn plant’s growth process. They do not have a negative impact on the plant’s growth and may even provide some benefits. Therefore, it’s best to leave them alone and let them do their thing.
