Growing Corn in the Philippines: Planting, Fertilizing, Weeding, and Pest Control

Video by Glenn Pansensoy

Planting After the Dry Spell

The dry spell finally ended. A heavy downpour the night before broke the week-long stretch of dry weather that had left the soil hard and the plants waiting. The rain soaked the parched rows, filled the furrows, and left the morning air cool and sweet. With the land refreshed, I brought eight hardworking members of our team into the field to plant the corn. We moved quickly but carefully opening furrows, placing the seeds at the proper depth, covering them gently with soil, and firming each row so moisture would stay close to the seed. The team worked in rhythm, trading tips and smiling even with damp earth clinging to their boots. I checked spacing and seed placement, made small adjustments for the slightly softer soil, and marked the rows for future irrigation and fertilization.

Early Fertilization at 15 Days

15 days after the seeds broke soil, the young maize stood in neat rows under a low damp fog. Sherwin rose before dawn and ready the fertilizer, a measured mix of ammonium for quick nitrogen and triple 14 for balanced NPK. He moved between rows with practiced care, applying coarse bands of fertilizer near the root zone to boost leaf growth and root development without scorching tender roots. The mist slowed evaporation, helping nutrients reach roots, so he adjusted spray and pace to avoid leaf residue. He checked plants for yellowing and compacted spots, loosening soil where needed, then logged blends and weather. By mid-morning the fog lifted, the field looked steadier, and Sherwin felt the quiet hope that proper early feeding brings.

Weeding and Second Fertilization

In this lush rain-soaked hillside field, the weeds are rapidly spreading beneath and between the young corn plants. As we apply the second fertilization, thorough weed eradication becomes essential so the corn can fully absorb the nutrients instead of competing with unwanted growth. Here you can see the worker moving steadily along the narrow path through the dense vegetation. Backpack sprayer in place, systematically treating the undergrowth around the corn and remaining banana stools. The misty conditions and thick cover of ferns, grasses, and broadleaf weeds make timely control especially important at this stage of the crop’s development. Clearing the competition now ensures the fertilizer reaches the corn roots efficiently, supporting stronger growth in the weeks ahead.

Second Application of Triple 14

In the early light of morning, the cornfield is alive with soft greens and the quiet work of the season. Young maize plants stand in neat rows across the sloping ground. Their leaves still fresh and upright. Banana trees rise among them, some with older browning leaves hanging down. A large dark rock sits in the middle of the plot, and beyond the crop, the misty forest edges the horizon under a pale, rising sun. The weeds that once competed with the maize have begun to wither and die back. Their strength is fading, leaving the soil clearer around the young stalks. This is the ideal moment for the second application of fertilizer triple 14, 14 14 14. The balanced NPK blend will feed the growing plants just as they enter a more vigorous stage, supporting stronger roots, greener leaves, and better ear development without the weeds stealing the nutrients. A farmer moves steadily through the rows, carrying a small blue container, working methodically between the plants. The air is still cool, the light gentle, and the field ready for this next careful step in its care.

Results 10 Days After Second Fertilizer

10 days have passed since the second round of fertilizer was applied to this maize field, and the results are clearly visible across the plots. The corn plants stand tall and vigorous in neat, but slightly uneven rows. Their broad green leaves unfurling strongly toward the light. Many stalks have reached a promising height with dense foliage that suggests the nutrient boost is taking effect. The deeper green color of the leaves and the sturdy appearance of the stems indicate improved growth compared to earlier stages. Walking between the rows reveals a mixed but overall encouraging picture. Most plants look healthy and actively growing, though some leaves show irregular holes and edge damage, likely from insects or minor stress. The soil surface is covered in a combination of dry straw mulch, scattered weeds, fallen leaves, and occasional plastic debris, creating a somewhat rough but functional ground layer. Weeds are present between the plants and along the edges, competing for resources, yet the maize continues to dominate the space. Sunlight filters through the surrounding trees, casting soft shadows over the field, and highlighting the varying heights of the crop. Paths of bare earth wind between sections, making it easy to inspect progress. While a few plants appear shorter or show yellowing at the tips, the majority display the lush upright growth expected after a timely second fertilizer application. This stage marks a critical period of vegetative development, setting the foundation for stronger tasseling and eventual ear formation if conditions remain favorable.

Insecticide Application for Pest Control

To protect the thriving maize field from worm infestations, the insecticide Yoval was applied across the crop. Lush green corn plants line a muddy pathway as Sherwin, the corn maintenance worker, walks deeper into the field with a blue backpack, surrounded by trees and natural scenery, ensuring healthy growth free from destructive pests.

Field Check 5 Days After Second Triple 14

I checked the corn field early in the morning, 5 days after applying the second round of triple 14 fertilizer. The sky was still soft with scattered clouds as the first light spread across the field. The young corn plants looked healthy and vigorous with broad, deep green leaves standing upright and no obvious yellowing or wilting. Growth appeared steady and fairly even across the rows, which suggests the plants are responding well to the nutrients. The soil between the rows looked dark and moist, which helps the fertilizer dissolve and reach the roots. Some weeds and grasses are growing among the corn, so weeding will be needed soon to keep them from competing for nutrients. Overall, the field looks promising and the second application appears to be doing its job. I will keep monitoring the plants over the coming days and note any further changes in color, height, and vigor.

Signs of Infestation: Caterpillars in the Field

As I thoroughly walked through the dense rows of the corn field, the tall green stalks stretched toward the overcast sky. Their broad leaves rustling gently in the humid air. Many of the plants had reached a promising stage of growth with several beginning to send up their distinctive tassels, those feathery pollen-bearing flowers that signal the start of reproduction. The silks on some ears were just starting to emerge, hinting at the ears forming beneath the protective husks. Yet, the inspection quickly revealed trouble. Scattered among the healthy plants were clear signs of infestation. Leaves showed ragged holes and chewed edges, while several developing ears displayed ugly brown lesions, frayed husks, and dark, moist damage where pests had burrowed in. The damage was concentrated near the tips of the ears, a classic pattern of hungry caterpillars at work. Kneeling for a closer look, I spotted movement on the damp soil between the rows. A plump, segmented worm, pale yellowish-brown with subtle darker markings, lay curled among the dried stalks and mud. I carefully reached down and picked it up, feeling its soft, muscular body shift in my hand. This was one of the culprits responsible for the chewed leaves and ruined ears. A reminder that even a vigorous looking field can hide serious threats beneath the surface.