Cornstalk Questions

[Terrormaster]

This year I'm adding cornstalks to my display. I've found several posts here discussing several different topics related to them. But do have some questions.

I plan to stake them individually instead of in bundles. Whats the best (and cheapest) way for staking individual stalks?

When Halloween is said and done, how does everyone else dispose of them or do you keep them?

As always. much thanks,
-TM

[NoahFentz]

Last year was my first year using cornstalks. Unfortunately it was a very rainy season so by Halloween they were flopped over. I spent many a day on maintenance. I used 4ft rebar and clear zip ties. I then had to attach another 4 ft tomato stake. This year I hope to find taller stalks. The ones at home depot were really for bundling together.

I could not keep them because they were soaked and broken.

[HearseKing]

I use 1/4" steel rod(Menards) then bend it so the whole thing looks like the #4. The shepards hooks u get there are bent this way and just push into the ground. then zip tie them. After Halloween we burn ours in either our campfire or they work well for getting the woodburner started. You should be able to just throw them in the trash, or in your neighbors yard

[The Pod]

This year I'm adding cornstalks to my display. I've found several posts here discussing several different topics related to them. But do have some questions.

I plan to stake them individually instead of in bundles. Whats the best (and cheapest) way for staking individual stalks?

When Halloween is said and done, how does everyone else dispose of them or do you keep them?

As always. much thanks,
-TM
Last year we took 1/2" PVC (cut 3 sections - 40" long), tie strapped 1-2 stalks to each piece. Pounded a piece of rebar into the ground and slid the PVC with stalks over it. Looked great but with high winds and rains, the tops mostly broke/bent over. This year I plan to redo it, but cut new PVC in half (60" sections) so more support higher up and less chances of the tops breaking/bending over. Also plan on painting the PVC yellowish to better hide it. We had approx 30 of these stalks setup in a 8'x4' area.
http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/the-pod-albums-halloween-2009-picture28993-cornfield-2009.jpg

Afterwards, we just cut the tie straps and threw the stalks out as yard waste on garbage day and kept the PVC.

[Terrormaster]

Awesome suggestions everyone, thanks. Speaking of PVC, one other question. Was wondering how solid/sturdy a single stalk is. Would it be possible to take two foot length of 1/2" PVC, hammer it into the ground about 1' and then insert the stalk INTO the tube?

[kevin242]

I find that they look more realistic if you stake them individually, 1/4" steel rod works well. I recommend that you take all of the corn cobs out, it will make them much lighter (plus my first year using corn stalks, I had packs of raiding squirrels tearing my display apart)!

[Joiseygal]

I got free corn stalks from this really nice Jamaican family. I'm not sure if they got the seeds from Jamaica, but the corn stalks are huge! I would say they are about 10 ft. tall. Anyway I ended up using pvc pipe and individually using one stalk per pipe. I would say they are about 2 ft. long and it was the bigger pvc pipe. Anyway it has been over a week and they are still looking good. We will see how they do after a good rain and wind storm. Anyway I took this pic with my phone, but this is how it looks so far.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/SharShar07036/downsized_0921001159.jpg

[kprimm]

I actually made a simple pvc fence foe the area I put my corn stalks in. It just has a top bar and a middle bar, I then paint it black and tie them to the pvc fence with fishing line. They are very secure and have stood up even in very high winds. Plus it makes a nice barrier to hide stuff behind, fog machines and pop ups or whatever.

[lewlew]

I'll throw my two cents in. We use a lot of cornstalks for our haunt. We do a whole corn maze on the concrete driveway. and some at various points.

I would say that the method depends on the effect you're looking for. If you want a cornfield look then go with the rebar or pvc idea. If you want a wall effect, we use haybales on their sides and stuff the corn through the bailing twine to make walls.
If you do this on both sides of the bale you get a thick cornfield effect. Workes very well, is sturdy, and you can hide someone behind it very well.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/crawfordforester/Halloween%202008/100_1315.jpg

[Terrormaster]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. What I'm going for really is a backdrop behind the tree so it doesn't have to be thick. I'll most likely be going with the PVC stakes. Sharron, would that have been maybe the 3/4" PVC?