I have always had problems with corn. Doesnt sprout well, doent get very tall, produces small or no ears. Tried several sweet corn varieties with same results. Part of the initial problem was lack of pollination you must plant a lot of corn, like a 10'x10' block to get good wind pollination.

Talked to the man who does the field of corn on apalachee near the house. He said to lime the field, cant use too much lime. Try Silver Queen (he does filed corn Tropical) when its waist high fertilize with amonioum nitrate. Water at least once a week. Fertilizewith Corn special from walkers. He does not spray for inscets