How to Grow Ornamental Corn

Grow Ornamental Corn in Your Garden

Life’s just too short. So, let’s learn how to grow ornamental corn. In addition to the fun of growing it, after the harvest, you will have fun decorating and doing craft projects. Obviously, Fall decorating would not be complete without it. Use this garden guide on “How to Grow Ornamental Corn” in your home garden.

While sweet corn may be the most popular varieties grown by home gardeners, some corn is just grown for the fun of it. Enter the world of Ornamental Corn. And, there’s a wide variety to choose from.

Germination: Seeds sprout in 5 – 10 days.

Days to Maturity: Ranges from 105 -115 days, depending on the variety.

Popular Varieties

There are many varieties of ornamental corn to choose from. Listed below are some of the most popular ones.

Indian Corn – Perhaps the most popular variety, it is grown only for decorating and craft projects. It is dried and the ears are used as decoration for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other fall events. It is popular for fall craft projects

Blue Miniature – This variety is grown for fall craft and decorating purposes. The small cobs grow 2″ – 4″ long.

Bloody Butcher – The ears have dark red kernels with a few darker kernels mixed in. Ears are 8 -12 inches long.

Early Pink – As its name implies, the kernels are pink. Ears are 5 – 7 inches long.

Firecracker – The 5-inch ears are multi-colored and grow on red stalks. They are great for decorating. And, it is good for popping.

Fiesta F1 – Multi-colored ears include blue, red, purple, white, and yellow.

Broom Corn – This is great for decorating. Also, it is used to make a brom!

Ornamental Corn Plant Specifications

Days to Harvest: 80 to 120 days, depending upon variety and growing conditions.

Plant height: Most varieties grow up to ten feet tall. However, some varieties will grow 12 to 15 feet tall.

Light Needs: Full, direct sunlight

Ideal Soil pH : 6.5 – 6.8.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 2 – 11

Plant Type: Annual

Deer Resistant? No. Deer love the ears of corn.

Native To: North and South America.

Botanical Name: Zea Mays L.subsps. Mays

Is Ornamental Corn Edible?

YES!!

However, it may not have a pleasant texture, or be as sweet and flavorful as the corn you get at a roadside stand. As a result, those who eat it, make corn flour or use the kernels to make popcorn.

Nutrition Facts

It is important to note that the nutritional values in different varieties of sweet and ornamental corn vary somewhat from those listed below. This is especially true of fro calorie and carbohydrate content. So, use this information as approximate values

One large ear of corn has approximately:

113 calories
22 g carbs
0 cholesterol
0.2 g fat
1.4 fiber
4 g protein

Light Requirement

Corn plants grow best, both when planted in a location where they receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. With full sunlight all day long, and optimal growing conditions, the plant and thee ears of corn will achieve their optimum growth potential.

How to Grow Ornamental Corn Plants

They are grown just like sweet corn. Review how to grow sweet corn.

Grow plants in full sun and rich garden soil.

Plant seeds in rows, about 1/2 to 1 inch deep. See the instructions on the seed packet.

Space four to six inches apart in rows three to four feet apart. For good pollination, plant in blocks, at least four rows wide.

Fertilize ornamental corn with a general-purpose fertilizer every two to three weeks.

Water regularly in dry weather. And, water deeply.

Keep plants well weeded in their early life. Place mulch between the rows to keep weeds down.

Keep alert to garden pests. Birds, deer, raccoons, and squirrels will attempt to steal the corn as it ripens and dries.

Also, see:

Plant Problems

Soil Temperatures – Ideal germination temperature by vegetable

Ideal Soil pH – by vegetable

Drying Ornamental Corn

Leave ears of ornamental corn on the plant for as long as possible. If the weather allows, leave them in the field until the husks are dry and papery.

You can also dry ears indoors. Harvest ears. Pull back husks to expose the corn. DO NOT remove the husks. Hang ears to dry in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.

After you harvest the ears of corn, leave the plants n your garden to continue to dry. Then, use the corn stalks to make a corn teepee and for other decorating projects.