I have been reading up on the story of how Glass Gem corn was produced, and its really neat that the guy who developed it is part Cherokee. What i would like to know is if anyone knows what type of corn Glass Gem is? Sweet Corn, field corn, or strictly ornamental? Thanks!
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/209952/
Glass Gem Corn, what type is it?
It's flint corn.
ah so then it would be ornamental like your typical Indian corns in the markets then, huh?
with that many a range of colors, you could easily use it as easter decor just as well as autumn decor, LOL!
It's mostly bred to be ornamental, but they are all edible. Just not sweet. Your cornbread might turn out gray using this stuff though. :)
i also read somewhere that it could be popped like popcorn, but the expanded insides would not be big like actual popcorn cultivars
POPCORN - FLINT CORN. I have never heard of flint corn. Would you consider this small ornamental corn flint corn? The ears are small, not much larger than a persons middle finger (if that). I know it pops, but not like normal popping corn. This is a small portion of my 2013 crop.
It certainly looks like glass!
It looks like it to me. Your field corns are dent or flint with most being dent. Dent corn has a "dent" in the top of the kernel when it is dry, flint corns don't. Flint corns are also harder. Pop corn is a sub class of flint corn. None of them are different species as far as I know and Sweet, Dent, Flour, Pop and Flint corns will all cross with each other.
There we go Doug9345 - thanks for the info. Apparently my ornamental corn is flint which is a totally new term for me. No dent. Very rounded little kernels. I grew Japenese hull less popcorn beside of the one row of ornamental corn and even though the popcorn was mostly white, it had a few scattered dark purple kernels on the ears. Now I'm wondering if that was because of the ornate corn or no? Since you seem so knowledgeable about corn, can you tell me: The Japanese hull less is wonderful and dry enough I have been popping it. Do you think I can save seed and expect good results from it as far as popcorn is concerned?
i would definitely rule in a cross since you planted the two types so closely. Corn pollen can be carried VERY long distances by wind, which is why most folks say make sure other corn plantings are at least 500FT away from each other.
Are you talking about saving it as seed or popcorn. It popping for you so it's good for that. As far as seed I'd pick out the purple ones and same seed from as many different plants as I could.
Yep, corn is all the same species. There's just an enormous amount of potential genetic diversity in it.
O.K. Doug9345 - Good idea. I'll save some popcorn for seed and pick out the purple ones. Think I will go a step farther and save the purple ones for seed as well, but plant them in another area. Will be a good experiment. Enjoyed your feedback - you seem quite knowledgeable on the corn.
I have fresh glass gem corn seed if anyone wants send me a d mail with your address
Glass gem is popcorn-I keep thinking its sweet. The other looks like Ruby corn, only more transparent! I don't remember which corns were used as crosses, but I don't think the color will grow true...
Flint and Dent, field corns. Flour, Parch, and Pop, Sweet and Candy, So many names to choose from!
This message was edited Apr 25, 2016 3:09 PM