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Now, the current growing stage is R1, and most of the fertilization is finished. Silks change color and become brown. Silks begin to elongate around the V12 stage. It starts from the ovules near the base of the corn cob and then develops sequentially from the base to the top. Silking of the tip ovules is the last to develop, indicating that the silks from the base of the cob would emerge first from the husk leaves. In other words, the first silks to emerge from the husk leaves are those attached to (potential) kernels near the base of the cob.

Flowering initiates when a silk becomes visible outside the husks. Pollination begins at the base and continues toward the tip. Silks remain active until pollinated. When silking and tasseling are not synchronized timely, un-pollinated silks continue to lengthen for approximately a week after emerging from the husks and will perish.

Pollen falls from the tassel to the silks, and fertilize the ovule to produce an embryo (=grain). Potential kernel number will be determined.

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