My Ornamental Corn - Harvest Fall 2013

I just harvested my Indian corn, due to the threat of squirrel nibbles. I got a few larger ears, but many were kinda small, but cute. It already has me all excited to grow more next season. I want to grow a few varieties, but I worry about cross pollination.

During a trip to California, I bought some organic American seeds that don't ship to Canada. Botanical Interests, I really do love the illustrated seed package art. I've had really good success with those seeds.

Botanical Interests - Ornamental Corn (Dent) - Earth Tones

Despite some heavy chewing from my resident wild bunnies, this corn grew very well and I did get a decent yield of brightly coloured ornamental corn. It's going to look great, dried and places at the thanksgiving table.

Do you think it looks like the package?

These colours are amazing! I think I'll grow lots and make flour next year.

Growing this corn was pretty easy. I learned from years past, to soak the seeds until a tiny white shoots starts to exit the kernel. I then planted a single sprouted seed in a peat pellet seed starter. You have to protect the young corn from curious nibbles. Once they are about 2-3 inches tall I move them outside into a greenhouse and shelter them from the elements and squirrels.

I planted my seedlings in the mineral bed, off my deck. The soil is less organic and more a scientific blend of sand, soil, compost, and a top layer of mulch, egg shells and pine shavings from my chicken coop. I have photographed them as they grew, a nice visual journey from this corn.

July 6th - Earth Tones (Ornamental Corn). You can see how one side is much smaller,
from the rabbits chewing it down much earlier. They have come back nicely.

July 20th - They have made a big leap up, great luscious green
colour and hearty stocks. No signs of ears or tufts.

Big happy tassels, small silks and ears forming on August 3rd

August 11th - You can see a close-up of the ear. I should have known better and shaken the tassels together.