No. MESS (multiple ears on the same shank) aka "Bouquets" is an abnormal growth with unknown cause but most likely a genetic trigger found in a few hybrids plus the effects of some abnormal environmental conditions such as excess heat at the time of leaf emergence. Purdue University, Iowa State and likely other research stations have current research projects underway trying to study the cause and effect.

Unfortunately in most cases none of the ears will develop well - even the older central one. Some research suggests carefully stripping off the side growths in order to allow the primary to develop as much as possible.

This is not the same situation as multiple ears on the same plant - common in some of the sweeter hybrids - as in those cases the secondary ears develop from different nodes on the plant, different locations on the stem.

You can learn much more about it, or at least what info is available, by Googling 'MESS corn growth'.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=MESS+in+corn+growth

Dave

Great...lol...btw this is an heirloom variety. I guess I'll try removing the side ears and see what happens.

You shouldn't have any problems pulling one ear off the stalk. They are not that easy to get off of the stem. I usually twist mine until it gives and then snap it off.

These are not sprouting from different places on the stalk but from the same place, the same node - Siamese triplets if you will. So careful trimming with a sharp knife works best. I have had some success just trimming off the excess leaves and silks and then leaving the node base and a bit of the attached ear in place. That way you do less damage to the primary ear.

What is the variety? From what I have read it is much less common with heirloom varieties except for a few of the old field corn types.

Dave

It is 8 Row Golden Bantam Corn