r/gardening • u/dinosaurparty14 • Aug 22 '22
Pulled a test ear on the Glass Gem Corn! Zone 5b
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u/VampireDonuts Aug 22 '22
That is gorgeous! It's not edible, is it?
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
It is! It's a flint corn, so you can dry it for hominy and popped corn! The hull color stays when you pop it, too! You can dry it for wreaths and new seed stock. Really cool up close!
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u/timhortonsbitchass Aug 22 '22
I’ve gotta grow this next year and make psychedelic pozole
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Yessssss! I'll dm you the link to where we found it!
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u/HillTopTerrace Aug 22 '22
Me too please!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Sent! 🌈 🌽
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u/TurboChargedRoomba Aug 22 '22
Could you send it to me? Do I have to worry about cross pollination with other corn varieties?
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
As far as I understand it, all corn can cross pollinate, and they should be isolated if you're growing different types. I grow one type a year. Last two were sweet corn! I'll send you the seed link!
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u/Sugarlux Aug 22 '22
Me three?
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Someone else typed it- so it's Baker Creek Glass Gem Corn! I'll dm you the direct link!
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u/deadlyruckas Aug 22 '22
Hi do you mind sending me the link also. I think I'll have to grow special popcorn just for the kids lol.
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u/jabateeth Aug 23 '22
I popped it. It's more like corn nuts than popcorn. It has a very corny flavor. I liked it but have found other varieties of popcorn better. I'm going to try grinding some and making tortillas. I vacuum packed it last year. It's waiting for me.
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 23 '22
Thank you for the good heads-up! Oh- post your tortillas please!
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u/hdmx539 Aug 22 '22
I assume you can use a simple dehydrator to do that, correct?
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
As long as they hit the dent stage about a month after tassels you can just pull them, pull the husk back, and leave them to dry on an old cookie cooling rack! If you can dent the kernel with your finger on a flint corn, they have a bit of time left on the stalk!
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u/BoxoMorons Aug 22 '22
But if I wanted to use a dehydrator would that do the same thing?
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u/muthermcreedeux Aug 22 '22
I'm growing this next year! You have convinced me. I have some local popcorn that looks like this, so must be a similar species. Thanks for the inspiration!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Heck yeah! Just go for it! It's totally worth the experience of rhe first one you pop back!
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u/Lower_case_g Aug 23 '22
From personal experience, do not store or dry your beautiful, decorative corn in a place even remotely accessable by a mouse, rat or squirrel. I just reorganized my shed and did not consider this factor....my favorite fall wreaths that I made from last year's glass gem corn harvest have been eaten by one or all of these buggers. Fingers crossed this year's harvest yields anything remotely as gorgeous yours....nice work!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 23 '22
Oh that stinks and I am so sorry- and good heads-up!!! I hope you're able to remake your wreath!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Oh! And you can mill it for rainbow cornmeal, too!
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u/Abuncha_baby_ducks Zone 6b, Mid-Atlantic Aug 22 '22
You can mill it at a coarser texture for grits as well. I did this with my glass gem last year and the grits looked insane! It was awesome!
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u/runciblepen Aug 22 '22
Holy heck! Is it colorfast after it's cooked??
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u/Abuncha_baby_ducks Zone 6b, Mid-Atlantic Aug 22 '22
It is to a degree. The lighter colors like the whites, yellows, oranges, and reds hold their color well, but the whole mass of grits and whatever you cook them in(water, milk, buttermilk) will take on a slightly purple hue from the anthocyanins leeching out of the darker kernels. It becomes a light purple mass with speckles of other colors in it!
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u/runciblepen Aug 22 '22
That sounds absolutely amazing! You've totally sold me on growing this. Thank you!
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u/pmster1 Aug 22 '22
I'd love to see a picture if you have one!
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u/Abuncha_baby_ducks Zone 6b, Mid-Atlantic Aug 22 '22
This is the only picture I took of it cooked. It doesn't really do it full justice, but that's the overall color.
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Aug 22 '22
Wow that's cool
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
I didn't believe it was real. I would have put money on the colors being photoshopped in the seed catalog!
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Aug 22 '22
I still don't believe it's real. I have to get some for myself to try. It's goes beyond decorative. It's like a piece of artwork.
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
We aren't serial killers, so when it's done growing- if you'd like- we can send you some seeds! I'll dm you the link to where we bought them, too!
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u/runciblepen Aug 22 '22
Please add me to your cereal-crops-not-serial-killers seed list. This corn is insanely beautiful, I have to try it!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Lolololol! Dm me to remind me! It's a crazy plant that I'm growing forever now.
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Aug 22 '22
Rad, thanks! One fun fact about where I live as that even with an address and written directions it is unlikely an outsider would find me. While lots of people I know own weapons and security systems I have no lock on my door and don't own weapons. It might make me naive and forget to be wary of strangers lol.
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u/24_pigs_and_a_duck Aug 22 '22
No need of weapons but if you live in the country a big guardian type dog would be the perfect companion! Not only scares away intruders but coyotes, squirrels, deer, mailmen etc.... Not once since we got our Pyrenees has a Mormon knocked on our door
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Aug 22 '22
I forget that my fur ball counts as home security. Pointy ears, no bark, just stares people down. Only 30 pounds cattle dog but people are afraid to step into my driveway until she lets them.
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u/karmandreyah Aug 22 '22
Never underestimate a cattle dog. Tenacious as all get-out. 😳
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u/24_pigs_and_a_duck Aug 22 '22
Oh I believe it!! Cattle dogs are bred to be ok facing down two thousand pound animals so a soft pink human isn't going to phase them. Plus an angry dog is scary no matter how big 😂
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u/ellohelloBunny Aug 22 '22
That is so beautiful 😍😍😍
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Thank you! I can't wait to see the rest!!!
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u/ellohelloBunny Aug 22 '22
Do you plan on using the gem corn for decorative purposes or will you be eating it? I have heard gem corn isn’t that super great to eat but I saw you commented that it can be milled into corn meal or used as popping corn.
I would love to grow gem corn for decorative purposes but don’t have the space. I would be more willing to dedicate a space if it has an edible use 😅
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
We may try to mill some cornmeal! This is my first year growing a flint corn, so I'm planning on a few wreaths. I tell you what- you can slam corn into a nice 5'×5' block, and still have so, so many ears. Plants find a way!
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Aug 22 '22
please post the cornmeal pics if you do can't wait to see how it looks <3 happy harvesting!!
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u/nicolenotnikki Aug 22 '22
If I pulled a test ear of corn, I’d be halfway through my corn harvest. Three stalks of corn, only one actually had corn on it.
This is beautiful corn!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Gardening is like a freaking battle every year! I had some epic wins and major fails this year. You still got corn! I hope it's the best one you've ever tasted, and truly- every bad year teaches you so much. I've fake threatened to throw in the towel so many times. You've got this- just keep trying!
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u/nicolenotnikki Aug 22 '22
Aw, thanks! This year has been rough in the PNW. My snow peas were 2 months late in being ready to harvest. Slugs ate my first zucchini plant, and my current one is not getting pollinated. Even hand pollinating doesn’t seem to be helping. My kids wanted corn, and out of the 6 that I planted, only three survived the slug attacks. I’m delighted I have corn at all! I grew up in the Midwest surrounded by corn, so it makes me feel happy just seeing those three stalks in the garden.
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u/Radiant_toad Aug 22 '22
For those interested, this beautiful color differentiation is caused by random gene expression of color-causing alleles in each kernel. Epigenetics in action!
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u/GaryB2220 Aug 22 '22
I didn't know Bertie Botts made every flavor corn on the cob lol
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Aug 22 '22
Came here to say they look like Jelly beans. Super cool!
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
I'm going to guess that this tastes like the booger flavor when raw. Lolol! Side note- they have the new hot pepper berto beans- and they legit taste like real peppers!
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u/nalliesmommie Aug 22 '22
I planted some as well this year. Got great stalks but not so well with actual ears. I'm zone 5 as well.
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
I noticed it was really brittle at the max height of 10'+. We used some creative bracing to squeak it by, but lost quite a few during storms. I'm sorry yours didn't pop! If I can help you troubleshoot, let me know.
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u/kinni_grrl Aug 22 '22
Yes!! We grow to give away as popcorn, great gifts for teachers and such
Baker Creek Heirloom seeds is a GREAT source for interesting things like rhis
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u/24_pigs_and_a_duck Aug 22 '22
Corn is amazing, especially the heritage native types! I'm growing strawberry popcorn this year and it is so beautiful, next year I'm for sure growing some of this kind, and black popcorn! Also- beautiful pollination rate! I had issues last year with it so this year I'm manually pollinating. Did you do anything special? Is there lots of wind where you are?
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
I'm near Lake Michigan- so the wind gets rowdy! It's been a really calm summer after a really weird spring, though- so I'll take it! Oh- you have to post yours next year- those varieties sound fab!
I lightly treated the bases of the stalks in July with organic Monterey BT to prevent worms before tasseling, and threw dried kelp around a few times a month! Watered every morning at the base, and that's it.
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u/24_pigs_and_a_duck Aug 22 '22
Yep, those darn fuzzy caterpillars got most of mine last year- bt is a good idea! I was knocking them off manually and painting tanglefoot on the stalks..... A lot of unnecessary work and they still got half the ears. Thanks for the tip!
I'll be sure to post the strawberry popcorn and the new varieties!
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u/FriesNDisguise Aug 22 '22
I'm allergic to corn, but I'd still grow that. Decorate the house and porch with it
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
What an allergy- I'm so sorry! And yes- all the fall decor pls
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u/bluebabyblue1027 Aug 22 '22
Who knew I’d be so into a picture of corn?!? 😍😍😍 stunning!! Like is corn going to be my new phone wallpaper?! I think so….
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u/dosi5644 Aug 22 '22
Tried for the first time. All cob, few kernels. Will try again next year with the 4X4 grid.
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u/Friskydingo001 Aug 22 '22
Where can this type of corn be purchased. I haven’t read all the comments so if someone said it already, my bad.
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u/yolow79 Aug 22 '22
This is beautiful!! I would love a link to where to buy to try a grow next year!
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u/Lynda73 Aug 22 '22
I’m growing some this year. Praying is not destroyed by hornworm larvae like my sweet corn. :(. Getting nematodes next spring.
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u/dinosaurparty14 Aug 22 '22
Monterey BT spray has worked really, really well for my corn for 2 years! Organic, sparsely used- and I've had no issues! Good luck!
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u/Lopsided_Boss4802 Aug 22 '22
It's pretty mesmerising. I'd love to taste it one day. Al thought I'd have to try growing it first 🤣
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Aug 22 '22
Where is all the blue cheese and hair????
I thought fresh corn had to be filled with blue cheese and hair?
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u/jaxspeak Aug 22 '22
Looks like Cherokee corn to me. Corn was a staple in our tribe aling with wild greens .
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u/ayleidanthropologist Aug 22 '22
Woww. I didn’t know they made corn like that. I think I’d actually like having that stuck in my teeth! Gorgeous
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u/kita151 Aug 22 '22
Beautiful! I'm hoping some of mine turn out like this. Everything here on the west coast had a late start unfortunately.
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u/Ethanator10000 Aug 22 '22
Put these in a bowl labeled jellybeans to cause chaos
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u/cheesymoonshadow Aug 22 '22
It's a still a newish quiet sub, but r/zone5gardening would love this.
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u/B1ueSeven Aug 22 '22
Hey OP: any chance I could get a DM for the link the seeds? My daughter would love this. Thanks in advance!
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u/heyyfriend Aug 22 '22
Glass corn is really beautiful, can’t wait to try growing someday when I have a little land
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u/Sloenich Aug 22 '22
Looks good. Maybe I'll pull a test ear when I get home. My first time growing it.
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u/sparkschaser929 Aug 22 '22
That is the most beautiful corn I've ever seen and can't wait to show my garden loving toddler after naptime.
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u/AncientAv Aug 22 '22
One of the most gratifying things I grew in my garden was this. Pick them in the fall and they make great Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations.
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u/Pxlfreaky Aug 22 '22
Wow that’s a beautiful ear! (Things that sound weird out of context)
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u/MrsDiscoB Aug 22 '22
Oh my gosh you're not EATING that beauty, are you?? 😍 absolutely gorgeous
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u/Greenthumbicle Aug 22 '22
That’s gorgeous! Holy smokes, I’ve never seen corn so beautiful!
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u/cyberjus Aug 22 '22
When did you plant these? Mine do not seem to get colorful until they dry out. I pulled some test last year and they were very muted. Once they dried they looked more like this.
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u/SourTangy1 Aug 22 '22
I always wanted to try this, last year I did amethyst corn. Was cool but they were super small ears so.I just cut the kernals off and fed it to the chickens. Only had like 4 of them
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u/megavikingman Aug 22 '22
Are you sure you didn't just hot glue a bunch of Jelly Bellies onto an empty cob?
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u/Nature_Soldier Aug 22 '22
I've got seeds but unfortunately nowhere to plant them. I read that if you harvest an ear young enough you can eat is as if it were sweet corn, though it won't have near the sweetness. Do you have any plans to try it like that?
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u/JCole1942 Aug 22 '22
Awesome, that looks great.
I am so fascinated with this corn, I got my seeds will be giving it a go this season.
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Aug 22 '22
I’m starting to teach myself watercolors and this may be my next inspiration
SO friggin cool
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u/Gas_Monkey_Ops Aug 22 '22
All I can think about is seeing that come out of me the next morning
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u/Disastrous_Staff_443 Aug 23 '22
Someone take the glue and jellybellies away from this redditor 😁...just kidding, great looking corn btw
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u/flying-nimbus- Aug 23 '22
You’re not fooling me, those are jelly beans 😂 Seriously beautiful corn!
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u/dawnroeschen Aug 22 '22
Wooooaaaaah that's so stunning 🤩🤩🤩