Hand‑Pollinating a Single Corn Plant: Collecting and Applying Pollen

Why One Plant Fails

Corn is wind‑pollinated. A single plant lacks enough pollen to cover its own silks. Minimum block: 4×4 (16 stalks).

Hand‑Pollination Method

1. Wait for tassels (top) to shed pollen (~60 days after planting).
2. Shake tassels over a paper bag to collect yellow dust.
3. Dust pollen onto silks (emerging from ear tips) within 1 day of silk emergence.
4. Repeat daily for several days.

Expectations

Results are spotty; timing is critical. But worth trying for a lone plant.