This situation is abnormal, and we recommend removing the extra small ear. If left untouched, it may compete for nutrients with the main ear, affecting the overall quality and size of your main corn.
This kind of abnormal growth usually occurs due to incomplete or irregular development of the female flower (silk) during the reproductive stage. If pollination is uneven or incomplete, the plant may experience stress and attempt to “compensate” by growing a secondary ear on top of the original one.
The main causes of this abnormal floral differentiation are often linked to:
- Weather factors: Extreme conditions such as wide temperature fluctuations, continuous rain, or hot and dry weather can interfere with proper flower development.
- Nutrient deficiency: Especially during the early growth stages, if the plant lacks sufficient organic nutrients (like compost), it may not have enough minerals and energy to support proper flower formation and successful pollination.
Recommended actions:
- Before the flowering and pollination stages, apply a moderate amount of Baba Compost-base Fertilizer to ensure the plant has enough calcium, phosphorus, boron, and other trace elements. These help with proper flower development and successful pollination.
- If you notice an extra ear growing on top of the main one, remove it early to allow the plant to focus its nutrients on the primary ear. This improves overall yield and fruit quality.
