How to Grow Ivory Prince Clear
Wikimedia Commons
Ivory Prince Clear
Zea mays subsp. mays
vegetableIvory Prince Clear is a sweet corn variety known for its white kernels, tender texture, and excellent flavor. This hybrid variety produces medium-sized ears with consistent quality and good disease resistance. It is a popular choice for home gardeners and commercial growers seeking reliable sweet corn production.
When should you plant Ivory Prince Clear in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Ivory Prince Clear timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Ivory Prince Clear
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Ivory Prince Clear
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ivory Prince Clear dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; thrives in warm-season climates with adequate moisture
Sign up free to see if Ivory Prince Clear grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Ivory Prince Clear timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
7-14 daysSeed germinates in 7-10 days. Single leaf emerges, grows 2-4 inches tall with characteristic grass-like foliage.
Ensure consistent soil moisture and warm temperatures (70-85°F ideal). Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings if overcrowded.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple true leaves, root system expands, stalks grow taller. Side shoots (tillers) may develop at base.
Apply balanced fertilizer at 3-4 weeks. Begin deep watering regimen. Monitor for early pests. Support tall varieties if needed in windy areas.
Tassel & Silk Emergence
2-3 weeksMale flowers (tassel) emerge at top of plant. Female silks appear from ear nodes. Plant reaches full height (6-7 feet for Ivory Prince).
Critical watering period—maintain 1-2 inches per week. Apply nitrogen fertilizer if growth appears slow. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal disease. Pollen falls on silks for fertilization.
Pollination & Ear Development
3-4 weeksSilks mature and darken as kernels develop inside husks. Ears fill out and enlarge. Silks gradually brown from tip upward.
Keep soil consistently moist—critical for kernel fill. Avoid drought stress. Watch for pest damage. Do not fertilize at this stage.
Physiological Maturity & Harvest Ready
Variable, typically 17-20 days after silkingKernels reach full size, milk stage evident when punctured. Silks turn dark brown. Ears feel firm and full. Husk covers ear completely.
Begin harvesting when silks are dark brown and kernels release milky juice when pressed. Check ears regularly for peak sweetness—harvest timing is critical for Ivory Prince Clear.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray at silk emergence; hand-pick affected ears; use pheromone traps; plant trap crops nearby
-
Scout regularly; apply Bt spray or spinosad; remove affected plant parts; encourage natural predators; use row covers early
-
Apply Bt at whorl stage; remove affected stalks; practice crop rotation; plow under crop debris thoroughly
-
Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; apply neem oil if population is heavy; encourage birds
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryIvory Prince Clear is an excellent eating sweet corn with tender kernels and pleasant sweetness. Use fresh in salads, grilled, boiled, or steamed; kernels can be cut and frozen for later use. [source]
Corn preservation
CulinaryCan be blanched and frozen whole or kernels removed and frozen, or canned for long-term storage and use in soups, stews, and side dishes. [source]
Animal feed and compost
HouseholdStalks, husks, and cobs make excellent additions to livestock feed or compost piles, enriching soil with organic matter for future growing seasons. [source]
Wildlife habitat
WildlifeCorn plants and seed heads attract and provide food and shelter for birds, small mammals, and beneficial insects throughout the growing season and after harvest. [source]
Decorative corn arrangement
CraftWhite corn ears with husks intact make attractive autumn decorations, dried corn cobs are useful for various craft projects and household applications. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks are dark brown and kernels release milky liquid when punctured with thumbnail, typically 17-20 days after silk emergence. Ears are ready for 3-5 days at peak sweetness. Grip the ear, pull sharply downward and outward. Chill immediately after harvest to preserve sugar content. For Ivory Prince Clear, harvest in early morning for maximum sweetness.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ivory Prince Clear is a hybrid variety bred for disease resistance and consistent white kernel color, making it more uniform than traditional open-pollinated white corn varieties.
- 🌱 Corn silks have a completely different genetic origin than the ear kernels themselves—they are the female reproductive structures, and each silk connects to one potential kernel.
- 🌱 Sweet corn loses about 50% of its sugar content within 24 hours of harvest as sugars convert to starch, which is why immediate cooling and consumption is crucial for maximum sweetness in varieties like Ivory Prince Clear.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Ivory Prince Clear planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Ivory Prince Clear seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Ivory Prince Clear timeline →