Painted Mountain Corn

I love this variety! This is honestly my first truly successful attempt at growing large ears of corn, and the stalks just won't stop growing. Not only are they tall, but they're prolific, with two or three ears of corn per stalk! Sure, they're hungry plants(they REALLY like to be fed), but isn't it worth it? The corn produces a starchy-sweet treat when harvested young, but the colors get darker and far more intense as the season passes and it dries out. I've already baked and eaten the corn fresh, so I just can't wait to dry the rest and see how it works out as flour.

This corn is truly remarkable. It is beautiful, and grows very fast. So fast that it beats out other corns to flower, and so polinates with itself, and not others. Where I live is considered prime corn growing land, and I planted it a full month early, in early April. It's fully a foot or more ahead of all other corn in my area, but a pretty typical storm came and lodged some of it, and that is just disappointing. No other corn or other plants suffered lodging. So, for however hardy it may be, it lacks the sturdiness I expect. I will cut all plants that lodged so they don't flower. Hopefully the next generation will have what it takes!

I love this corn. I grew enough in my first year to collect almost an ice cream bucket full of seed. Last year I sprent $50 of my own money to send seed to other people. Strangers/friends. Because I love this corn so much. This year I plan to plant more, and continue to share. There is something magical in seeds and we must protect them from companies that will destroy the diversity and beauty in heirloom/open pollinated species.

Great for southern Germany, even in a rainy year. I sow in KW 16 in Pots and planted them in the third week of May. In the end of September I got really ripe corn cobs with fertile seeds. Also the colour was great. Till now the best in my place.

My erratic growing season rarely gives over 100 frost-free days. Most Indian corns take 120! I heard this was 70 days and gave it a shot. Every moment is stunning, sowing to harvest. Open the pack and pour glistening gemstones into your hands. Watch seedlings emerge, streaked with red, purple, or yellow. A deep purple cornstalk will have brilliant red silks and delicate yellow tassels. To one side, a yellow stalk with purple ears and red pollen; on the other red stalks with yellow silk and purple tassels. Even husks can be deep burgundy. Just let ears dry on the stalks. No big problem in Reno, where we get fewer than five rainstorms each summer. Pull ears off, peel back husks, and see even more magic. My favorite was "blue denim:" kernels of white, cream, powder blue, indigo, and a spotted country wallpaper-type seed pattern. I decobbed by hand and crushed in a 100-year-old grinder. Very nutty flavor in cornbread. Store in the freezer to retain quality. So easy and successful!