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. Cornstalks growing with ample moisture and in well-prepared, fertile soil can be expected to produce two ears per stalk. Plant corn about May 10 in the Denver area or when soils reach a temperature of at least 50 degrees F. Corn seed will not germinate in colder soils, decaying instead. You can warm soil by covering with black plastic and punching holes through it to plant seed.