Grinding Corn for Corn Meal, Crumbs, & Corn Soup

Discussion in 'Back to Basics' started by pearlselby, Jan 7, 2016.


  1. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    Perhaps weevil is the wrong term, but they are an inch long worm (ETA looked it up, they are corn ear worms)...
     
  2. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Ah yes, I've experience with that little beast.
    [​IMG]

    Being a small grower then this is an easy problem to solve.
    The deal is to prevent the parent from laying the eggs or to stop the eggs from hatching.
    Pesticide is used by commercial growers and not what I would do.

    The problem can be solved by the application of common cooking oil. Get yourself a new oil squirt gun, pump type is best.
    [​IMG]

    Fill the applicator with the cooking oil. As the corn starts to develop and fill out the cob to the point where the silk just starts to appear then squirt two pumps of oil into the cob at the silk ends. This will either kill the small worms, or prevent them from hatching,or prevent the laying of eggs. Too little oil is no good and daily checking of moving the shuck aside to inspect is recommended, return the shuck as you found it after each inspection.

    The oil will not harm the corn no matter what and and what ever you do, do not wait for the silk to change colors.

    Simple and organic to boot.

    Timing will vary each year as nature's pest know what's best for their brood.

    Should the worms reproduce just chop off the the damaged corn cob end and eat as normal.

    HK

    EDIT> When the oil gun is purchased be sure and remove all production contaminants, soap and water and then add the cooking oil so the pump ball does not rust in place.
     
    Ganado, Tully Mars and Hanzo like this.
  3. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++


    If you are doing a small amount, a Nutibullet with the grinder blade works well too.
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  4. duane

    duane Monkey+++

    Corn stalk borers, ear worms,cut worms, etc can be a problem if you don't use chemicals and replant corn in the same area. Old crop rotation, corn, year 1, barley, oats, alfalfa and timithy, year 2, hay year 3 and year 4, then start over minimized the weeds and insects and put life in the soil. In addition, it was the law that corn stalks had to be plowed down before the ground froze and the county weed inspector could make you get rid of the weeds, or they would do it for you and add it to your taxes.

    In most of the Anglo world we just grind the corn into meal or flour, much of the rest of the world treats it with wood ashes or something to make it easier to eat, easier to digest, or to loosen the hulls. That is a whole another topic in food for survival and how to survive on the basic foods.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2016
    Cruisin Sloth likes this.
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