Bending over maize can be profitable for your yield, if you do it correctly.
Bending maize is a popular method in Central America and has different advantages. With bending, less water gets to the tip of the ear. Therefore, the plant dries better, rots less and has less diseases. Also, the kernels are not being attacked as often from birds.
At the same time the maize will stop growing and doesn‘t get any water, food and sap from the roots anymore. You always have to make sure to find the right time to bend.
Right bending time
As long as the plant is green, it is still growing. But when the plant starts to become yellowish and looks like straw it is full grown. Husk one ear of a corn and remove a few grains to see, whether there are black points on the tip of the corn. If there are, you know it is time to bend your maize. Always consider that you will destroy maize, if you bend it to early.
A slowly growing maize needs more time until it can be bend. If you have fast growing maize, you can also add a second-season crop to your field like beans or sesame.
