Protection for "naked" ears of corn

[Ellendra]

My two favorite corn varieties (Magic Manna and Ruby-Gold Cascade) both have a problem with poor husk coverage. Some ears are fine, others have the ends sticking out. And others are completely husk-less. The ones with the end exposed tend to be bug-eaten and rotted, because rainwater gets in and is held there by the husks. The ones that are completely naked are the first to get eaten by rodents.

I'm selecting for better husk coverage, but this year I have a growing contract for Magic Manna, and I really need the income.

Is there an way to supplement the protection normally given by the husks? My area has had a ton of rain, so paper bags are out. They'd disintegrate within a week. I'm looking at the possibility of using old socks from the thrift store, but that's a LOT of socks, and they might soak up the rain and hold it there, making the rot worse. I have this crazy thought of gluing leaves in place of the husks, but I haven't tried it yet.

Any ideas?

[reed]

I'v seen that problem with those corns as well but I like other traits like early maturity so I'm using them in my breeding project, selecting against ears that overshoot the husk.

I can't think of anything that would substitute for natural husks. I have sometimes folded leaves over the ends and tied them with cotton string but doing that to a big patch would be a royal pain in the rump.

Interesting that you see some ears that are fine. It of course doesn't help with your problem of maturing your current seed crop but I would sure save that seed separately. A strain of those corns that did not have the issue would be pretty great.

[triffid]

You could try pollination bags, they're weather resistant and easily slip over the ears.

https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/sss007

Larger quantities various sizes:  https://seedburo.com/products/pollinating-bags-shoot?variant=14474844536887