Sweetcorn; 4 questions!!

[Veggie Mackem]

It's the first time I've grown sweetcorn and some unusual things have happened when I compare them with other plot holders, mine seem to be doing OK, growth has been vigourous and all standing between 3.5 to 4 ft however some of mine have developed multiple side shoots up to as many as 4 ( I thought 1 or 2 was the norm) should I be concerned? also the silks just started appearing about a week ago and in that short time they have turned a really deep burgundy shade most all other plot holders are straw yellow, again is this OK? assuming all's well and the cobs ripen as normal how long can I leave them on the stalks before they become over ripe? Lastly is there any requirement for feeding once the cobs have silked and with what?

cheers....... VM

[realfood]

Just leave the side shoots on as it increases the amount of sunlight converted to energy.
Some varieties of sweetcorn have coloured tassels.
You leave the cobs on till the silks turn brown and the kernels give a creamy liquid when a finger nail is inserted to them.
There are some photos here sweet_corn

[rustylady]

^ ^ What Realfood said

[taff]

I dunno, I left the sideshoots on last year and had a useless harvest, when I took them off the first year they were much better, more per plant.
the cob silks will be crispy too, but the nail test is the one milky liquid = good, clear liquid = not good, they'll be tough as old boots.

[Two_Sheds]

I take the smaller cobs off: put the energy into the main one (or two)