Sweetcorn seedlings dying off

Hi all,

This year I sowed the rest of my packed of Incredible F1 in the hope of finally growing decent sweetcorn. The seed sprouted well and grew to a few inches high. Then the seedlings started keeling over. They didn't have what I think of as the usual signs of damping off - overly damp soil and withered sections of stem. I planted them out and even the decent looking ones have died (three survivors out of 30 or so!). I've ordered some more seed and I'll try again – my daughter loves it and we were so excited to grow it this year that I will even look at buying plants if the new seed doesn't take off or is looking too slow to develop.

I've never had luck getting my corn to the plate, but I've also not had problems at the seedling stage before. They were going downhill before transplant so I don't think it's to do with transplant shock or root disturbance.

Any ideas other than damping off? Pro tips to avoid problems with my next batch? Should I just chit them and then transfer to the plot instead of growing into little plants first?

Thanks!

Because I forgot about mine and it's a bit late in the season, I am just going to sow direct with a sheet of glass over for added warmth for germination.

My sweetcorn is never taken home as I eat it raw at the plot for a snack (if I get any, that is!?)

The only advice I can offer is do not over water, the soil should be damp not wet.

As an afterthought, is the compost reliable, I remember lots of problems last year with Homebase compost

Because I forgot about mine and it's a bit late in the season, I am just going to sow direct with a sheet of glass over for added warmth for germination.

My sweetcorn is never taken home as I eat it raw at the plot for a snack (if I get any, that is!?)

Thanks, I'll probably try some straight in the ground and some in pots.

The only advice I can offer is do not over water, the soil should be damp not wet.

As an afterthought, is the compost reliable, I remember lots of problems last year with Homebase compost

It could be that they didn't like the peat-free Aldi compost they were in. There's no pesticide contamination, as far as I can tell, since most other things have grown in it. I'll try it in some other stuff that we have at the house this time to see if that'll help. Thanks.

Sweetcorn seems quite easy to overwater when its small. That said, the spare tomatoes I've grown to give away are not liking the Wickes peat free at all.

Also sweetcorn doesn't care for the cold, could they have got chilled?

They'd been outside during the day and in the porch overnight for a week or so. Shouldn't have gotten too cool but maybe that was enough on top of not liking their compost or moisture levels. My seed has arrived so I shall try again!