1. Should I remove the suckers? I've heard they may increase yield. Even if that's not true, should I still remove them just to make room in the pots?
2. I'm finding some tears in the leaves from what seem like insects. Any idea what they could be and how to stop them?

---Thanks

I know one grower, though, who grows his corn farther apart and leaves the new stems. He says it's not unusual to get 12 ears on some of his plants. (This also probably varies by variety. I wouldn't expect more than 2-4 from commercial varieties.) Here's my favorite example.

That came up volunteer in one of his gardens. He says it had 16 ears. Called it a cornbush.

You'll have to decide how YOU want to plant your corn, and how you want it to grow. Consider how many plants you have, the space you want them to take up, and whether or not you'll have to hand pollinate. (A small grouping of corn won't self pollinat very well.)

Sevin is effective, and easy to find. Works on most bugs. Be aware, it washes off in the rain. If the bugs come back, re-apply.

An organic alternative is to spray with water that has had tobacco soaked in it. Won't hurt most plants, but google it. I think it's bad for tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant. (The nightshades.) Any form of tobacco will probably work. I used non-filtered cigarette butts. Made the plants smell like an ashtray for a while. I'd use it outside or ventilate.