Growing corn

OK experienced old-timers here I have another question for you.

I just seeded my popcorn for the season. Everything I read says plant in a block rather than just a few rows to ensure pollination. How wide of a block do I need?

My rows are about 28' long and I planted 9 rows with 16" spacing between rows. Should I plant a few more rows or am I good?

I would think it'll be fine. The recommendation is to stop a backard gardener from planting one or two long rows as opposed to several shorter ones, which will pollinate better. Doesn't really need to be a block, just wide enough for the pollen to spread around.

I'd plant additional rows myself. Depending on the orientation of the rows in relation to the prevailing winds, one side will have little chance of pollenation. Just my 2 cents.

I'll plant more.

This is an urban area and winds get clocked around pretty well but I'll say they're mostly west to east. Rows are orientated on a N/S axis. Could leave a good row or two with low pollination on the west side.

Thinking about this more and I may have really messed this stand of popcorn up. Of the 9 rows the 2 rows on the west are "Japanese Hulless Popcorn" as sold by Livingston Seed - height 4'-5'. The other 7 rows are a Purdue hybrid that I grew last year. These topped out around 8 feet. I bought more of the Japanese Hulless and started them in soil cubes today bought enough to add three rows.

Putting three more rows in on the west side - along the same variety - will really encroach on my butternut squash patch. OK so I go from 28 x 25 to 28 x 21 if I use 16" row space again. Based on my experience with sunflowers last year I don't think the squash will grow well under rows of corn even at a 24" row space.

I also don't know when the flowers open on either of the varieties relative to germination.

Quite possible I am over thinking this.

When they start to tassel out good, run up in there with your leafblower and give it heck.

Shaking them when they tassel is effective for small stands. For an area that small, I'd rather do that than crowd everything else.