Corn Seeds - Ornamental - Indian

Growing Ornamental Indian Corn Garden Seeds

How to Grow Ornamental Indian Corn from Seed

Corn is a hardy full sun grass performing best when sown directly outdoors after the final spring frost. Plant 2-3 seeds 1-2" deep and 3-4" apart in loose, Organically rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-6.2. Germinates in 7-14 days, thinning out best starts to every 12" once true leaves establish. Avoid overhead watering by watering soil directly. To prevent cross-pollination from altering a corn crop, keep like varieties with like varieties (SU with SU, SE with SE, SH2 with SH2, and ORNAMENTAL with ORNAMENTAL). Check individual seed packet to know whether a variety is Sugary (SU), Sugary Enhanced (SE), Supersweet (SH2), or Ornamental.

How to Harvest Ornamental Indian Corn

Most varieties of corn are ready to harvest about 75 days from sowing. Unlike other garden favorites, corn only fruits once. Ears are ripe once they turn dark green, silks become brown, and kernels are plump. Test ripeness by squeezing kernels for a milk-like juice. To harvest, firmly pull the ear downwards while twisting.

About Ornamental Indian Corn Seeds

• An amazing range of colors are born on this festive corn!
• Rainbow Indian corn bears 8-10" ears just packed with brilliant red, blue, gold and orange kernels.
• Husks may be white or purple. Use the purple husk as a dye the way the Indians did.
• Used mostly today for decoration, but young ears can certainly be roasted or boiled.
• Many fine eateries use this corn roasted and then added to salads to bring a unparalleled color and flavor.
• Indian Rainbow can also be ground and used as corn flour.
• A HOT seller for fall decorations at Farmers Markets.

A premier assortment of the most colorful and vividly speckled corn, ornamental Indian corn mixture is comprised of the most unique varieties of American ornamentals. Just as simple yet tenacious as yellow sweet corn, Indian corn is a classic summertime crop of 4" golden, burgundy, red, and orange ears always in time for fall decor.

Ornamental Corn (orn)

• 0% sugar and inedible
• High productivity and harvests
• Can be stored for up to 4-6 months

Perhaps second to pumpkins and other winter squash, nothing says cool autumn days like bright and seasonally colored ornamental corn. While edible varieties all share traditional yellow and white kernels, ornamental crops are grown exclusively for their exotic color combination which can be harvested whole, stalk and all, for authentic seasonal decor. Brightly colored ornamental crops generally have no culinary value, but the dried corn kernels can be traditionally ground into a powder for food dyes in breads and tortillas. Ornamental corn will store for several months because they do not contain any sugar content at risk of converting to starch. Be sure not to plant ornamental varieties of corn near edible types to keep from cross-pollinating and spoiling both crops.

Check out this article about the evolution of corn.