Although a relatively new variety, Alina corn is in high demand among farmers and gardeners. It has gained popularity for its high yields, ability to be grown in a variety of climates, and drought tolerance, making farming much easier. It is a sugar variety with universal uses.
Breeding history
A sweet corn variety named Alina was developed by a team of scientists consisting of Ruslan Abubekirov, Sergey Novoselov, Khusen Elmesov, and Rasul Knyazev. This new variety was officially registered in the State Register in 2011.
Despite its youth, Alina has gained popularity among agricultural producers and is now cultivated by many farmers and large agricultural companies.
Description of the variety
Alina is characterized by its excellent taste and quick cooking time—cooking corn on the cob takes minimal time. But to decide whether to plant this variety in your garden, carefully familiarize yourself with all aspects of the plant and its cultivation.
External indicators
This is a tall variety, with bushes reaching up to 200 cm in height. The minimum stem length is 165 cm. Other varietal characteristics:
- the lower ear is at a height of 60-65 cm from the ground surface;
- the root system is massive, it goes deep to almost 150 cm;
- the root has aerial shoots that are located on the lower part of the stems;
- the shoots are erect, thickened, and do not have a void inside;
- The peduncles contain either female buds, which are located in the leaf axils, or male buds, localized in the upper part of the stems in panicles;
- leaf blades are lanceolate-linear and large, their length is 95-100 cm, and the width is about 8-12 cm;
- the heads of cabbage are distinguished by their large fruits – their length varies from 17 to 20 cm, and their weight is about 150-170 g;
- the shape of the ears is conical;
- the grains are ordinary yellow, laid in even rows of 17-18 pieces;
- The texture of the seeds is tender and soft, so they cook quickly.
Taste and purpose
Alina brand corn kernels impress with their sweet aroma and rich flavor. Sweet corn on the cob can be enjoyed fresh or preserved by canning or freezing.
Ripening and yield
Alina has a medium-term ripening time for its sugar cobs. It takes approximately 80-85 days from planting to technical maturity. To ensure these results are realistic, it's essential to strictly follow all plant care recommendations.
How to grow?
Sow the planting material in May, leaving it in a moistened medium for a week beforehand. This vegetable can be grown either by sowing seeds or by using seedlings. The latter method involves the following steps:
- To begin, select suitable containers made of peat or plastic, which should have a diameter of at least 12-15 cm.
- Fill each pot with a mixture of high-quality substrate, consisting of equal parts of humus and turf soil.
- Plant three to four seeds 4-5 cm deep.
- After sowing, carefully moisten the substrate with a spray bottle and place the containers in a bright place.
- When the seedlings appear, apply nutrient fertilizer.
- As soon as three or four leaves have formed on the seedling bushes, thin out the plants, leaving a couple of the strongest ones.
- Before transplanting seedlings to an open area, begin hardening off the crop so that the bushes can more easily adapt to the new conditions.
- ✓ Use a substrate with a pH of 6.0-6.5 for optimal corn growth.
- ✓ Make sure the substrate has good air permeability and water retention capacity.
Planting seeds directly into the ground is done in the same way as propagation by seedlings.
- × Avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer after cob formation begins, as this can lead to nitrate accumulation in the grain.
How to water and fertilize?
Alina corn thrives on moisture but is surprisingly resilient to long dry periods. It's important to avoid waterlogging, as this can lead to a lack of oxygen in the soil, which in turn will cause root rot and plant death.
A key aspect of corn care is timely fertilization, without which a good harvest is impossible. Before planting corn, enrich the soil with mineral fertilizers and organic matter.
Pros and cons
The Alina corn variety boasts numerous positive qualities, making it particularly popular. Despite its many advantages, Alina also has its drawbacks, which are worth considering.
Advantages:
Flaws:
Reviews
Alina corn adapts easily to all climates in our country. The variety produces good yields and has excellent shelf life and transportability. The key is to strictly follow agricultural requirements and harvest the ripened crop in a timely manner.