Popcorn corn is slightly different from common corn; This is especially noticeable in the way it "pops" when heated in a pot or popcorn machine after it has dried. It also requires different cultivation and sowing techniques, albeit in a minimal way. This tutorial describes how to plant, grow and care for it. In no time you will have a popcorn corn crop that you can cook and enjoy.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting Popcorn Corn
Step 1. Purchase some fertile seeds
You can use popcorn kernels by taking them straight from the package, but first you need to take a fertility test. Not all those on the market are fertile, due to the heating and sterilization process they undergo before being packaged and sold. If you wish, you can also purchase popcorn corn seeds directly from a business or grower.
To test commercially available popcorn kernels and verify their fertility, sow 20 seeds, water them and wait. If, after two weeks, you don't notice any signs of germination, the seeds are not fertile. If you want to grow corn plants, the seeds need to germinate
Step 2. Soak the corn kernels in hot water for 12 hours
This process helps keep them moist and stimulates faster germination.
Step 3. Choose the right place
Make sure the seeds get plenty of sunlight and the soil drains easily. A lot of space is needed to grow corn.
Do not plant it within 100 feet of other types of corn, as this could result in cross-pollination, which in turn would lead to the formation of a hybrid plant, which could affect the flavor of the grain
Step 4. Sow the beans when there is no longer any danger of frost
Depending on the geographic area you live in, it may be advisable to sow between the first weeks of March and mid-May. The soil must have a temperature between 10 and 13 ° C. The first shoots should start appearing within 3-12 days.
- Space the seeds 20-25 cm apart. If you decide to grow them in a row, the space between the rows should be around 45-60cm.
- Plant the kernels 1.5 cm deep in spring, while in summer it is recommended to place them 5 cm below the soil surface.
- Place 2 seeds in each hole, as only 75% of them will eventually germinate.
Step 5. Thin out the shoots when they reach 10 cm in height
Don't thin them out too soon, as not all of them survive, but wait until the distance between them is about 25-40cm.
Part 2 of 3: Growing and Caring for Popcorn Corn
Step 1. Water the seedlings often
These plants require a lot of watering work; they should get about 5cm of water every week (depending on soil conditions), until they reach maturity for harvesting, which typically occurs about 100 days after sowing.
Step 2. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer (fertilizer 12-12-12) from time to time to stimulate growth
Distribute the fertilizer between the rows and water to make it penetrate the soil. Don't overdo the fertilizers, use them only 2-3 times. Here's when it's time to apply them:
- When the seedling reaches about the height of your knees or has produced 8-10 leaves: use about 200-250 g of fertilizer for every 10 square meters of cultivated land.
- When cobs form stigma (a brownish clump often called "silk"): Apply about 100g of fertilizer per 10 square meters.
- Add more fertilizer if the leaves turn yellow or pale, especially after forming the stigma.
Step 3. Get rid of the weeds
Weeds can be harmful to crops by absorbing water and other nutrients that corn needs to survive. To get rid of it, you need to loosen the soil around the seedlings. Be cautious so as not to damage the roots.
Step 4. Scare and drive away the crows
You need to be very vigilant when the seedlings begin to sprout - or, if possible, even earlier. Here are some ways to keep these "feather thieves" out of your grow:
- Mulch around the seedlings. When these start popping up, the crows will no longer be interested in them;
- Put a scarecrow in the field;
- Place a wire mesh over each row of seeds.
Step 5. Hunt raccoons and other wildlife
These are attracted to cultivation when the cobs begin to form and mature. Fortunately, there are a few techniques to ward off these pesky "furry bandits":
- Install an electric fence all around the field;
- Put some chili on the stigmas;
- Install a bright beacon and aim it at the corn;
- Have portable radios throughout the field;
- Try the Native American trick of planting pumpkins all around the cornfield. No one knows why this method works, but there are several theories about its effectiveness.
Step 6. Watch out for woodworms
These mainly attack the stems, leaving behind them small holes full of dust. The simplest way to kill them is to crush the stem; if you are looking for a more effective method, use an insecticide, such as rotenone or, if you prefer a more ecological technique, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT).
Step 7. Beware of Helicoverpa armigera
It is a parasite that attacks cobs as soon as they begin to form stigma. There are two ways to deal with these insects:
- Before the stigma turns brown, sprinkle the top of each ear with an insecticide such as Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), pyrethrin, or rotenone.
- Once the stigma has turned brown, place a drop of mineral oil on the tip of each ear.
Part 3 of 3: Collecting and Using Popcorn Corn
Step 1. Wait for the grain to mature, 85-120 days after planting
Depending on the month you planted the seeds, it could happen around October. The moment of ripening also varies according to the specific cultivar; some are ready for harvest sooner than others.
Step 2. Wait for the corn to dry on the stalks
If the autumns are dry where you live, you can let the cobs dry directly in the fields while they are still on the plants. On the other hand, if you have rainy autumns, collect the cereal and place it indoors to complete the process.
Step 3. Collect the popcorn corn when ready
The outer leaves must be dry and the grains firm. First peel off a cob and remove the leaves to check.
Step 4. Store the corn properly for the next 2-3 weeks as it matures
Place the cobs - still wrapped in leaves - in mesh bags and hang them in a dry, warm and well-ventilated room. You can also use nylon stockings.
Step 5. Test to see if the cereal is ready
Grain a corn on the cob (a few kernels will be enough) and put the seeds in a very hot pan. Heat them with a little oil, as you normally would. If the kernels crackle, the corn is ready. If they stick to the pan, however, you have to wait for them to mature and dry for a while longer.
Advice
- Make sure the growing season is long enough, otherwise the corn will not have time to mature.
- Consider planting corn in "blocks" rather than rows, as some farmers find this arrangement helpful for pollination.
- Keep the soil moist.
- Store the dried beans in an airtight container and in a dry place.
- Uproot the weakest plants. They will not grow strong enough to produce the grain or even to pollinate.
- Try to grow different varieties of popcorn corn. They are available in all sorts of colors; the flavor will always be the same, but the consistency will change.
