In some monoecious plants, male and female parts are in the same flower. In corn, male and female flowers are in different locations - the male flowers form a tassel which is at the top of the plant. The female flower is located at the junction of leaves and stem. These silks are pollen-receiving tubes. Each silk leads to a kernel, and pollen must land on all silks for the ear to fill out completely with kernels.
Kernels contain moderate but varying levels of sugar, depending on variety.
Sugars convert to starches rapidly after harvest. Additionally, conversion of sugar to starch is slowed. Sweet corn requires rich soil with ample nitrogen and moisture. Even good garden soils may need some fertilizer to produce a top-quality crop. Growing corn in an area that had healthy beans or peas the previous year is helpful because these legumes contribute more nitrogen to the soil.