For malting, does FRESH corn need to sit in fresh water...

[la Bleue]

for the two days? or can this first step be skipped to move straight to the sprouting?

Thanks all!

[Dnderhead]

what do you mean by "fresh" corn?

[Prairiepiss]

I mite be stepping out of my bounds but. I know most seeds need to go through a cycle. When I would propagate tomato seeds they had to be dried first then chilled to simulate a winter then warmed up again. Then they could be planted. Wouldn't fresh corn need to do the same?

[la Bleue]

The ear was just removed from the stock and the kernels just removed from the cob. The corn has reached maturity but hasn't begun the drying out process.

[Dnderhead]

as Prairiepiss stated most grains halve to go threw a rest period.

[Midday Moon]

I have read of big maltsters having issues with latency periods: the amount of time a grain stays dormant before it will sprout. Low latency is one of the factors they breed for in malting strains of barley to reduce the amount of time the grain has to be stored before malting. In the old days, these things were done seasonally to suit the growing season, but now it must be done fast to maximize profits.

I don't know the case with corn in particular, but I would guess that the corn seed is designed (by the corn plant) not to grow as soon as it hits the ground because it knows that winter is coming. It waits dormant for a while (until winter hits) then it waits for the right conditions (spring) before it risks the big move.

[Prairiepiss]

Shouldn't it dry out on the cob to? Most seed corn is harvested after it has dried out on the plant correct?

[Dnderhead]

"Shouldn't it dry out on the cob to?"
yes most grains are dryed on the stalk,in the case of corn its when the husk turn dry but they cant git
rained on as that can cause mold etc. then further drying before removing from cob.iv saved corn seed
from one year to the next but never tried sprouting before it was back in season to replant.

[la Bleue]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

As far as my limited knowledge goes, feed corn is normally left on the stalk to dry then it is processed. Seed corn is harvested at the peak of maturation while its still soft, (and this is the part i forgot) dried, and then stored for the next growing season. This is done to minimize the impact of diseases on the new seed corn crop.

In any event, i appreciate the input from everyone!