Zea mays 'Mirai 003'

RHS Plant Profile
sweet corn 'Mirai 003'

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A ‘Supersweet’ early variety which produces slightly shorter cobs at approximately 15cm long but the shorter length is made up for by the really sweet juicy kernels (some eat them raw they’re so sweet). Each plant also usually produces at least two cobs and the cobs are filled well to the end. Sow indoors: April to May. Sow / plant outdoors: May to June. Harvest: August to September

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Clay, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Clay Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
A genus of five, large, flowering plants the grass family. The most important species, Zea mays is widely cultivated food crop. Male flowers are borne in large, terminal inflorescences (tassels) and female flowers are hidden in clusters in the leaf axils
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny, sheltered spot in soil that has been enriched with well-rotted organic matter. Sweetcorn can tolerate many soil types but prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. As this is a ‘Supersweet’ type, avoid growing next to other varieties to prevent cross pollination if you want the cobs to retain their sweet taste. 'Supersweet' varieties can also be more temperamental so the seeds need to be sown at the correct time, at the correct depth and in the correct temperature - check the packet for more information. Harvest from July to October. See sweetcorn cultivation for futher information.

Propagation

Sow seeds undercover from mid-spring in pots or modules and then plant out May - June after hardening off and the last frosts have passed. Alternatively sow 'in situ' from late spring to early summer. Always plant in a grid pattern to ensure pollination. See sowing vegetable seeds

Pruning

No pruning required.

Pests

May be susceptible to damage from birds, slugs, mice and badgers.

Diseases

May be susceptible to smuts which appear as large galls on the cobs and stalks in hot weather.