Indian Ornamental (aka Rainbow) Flour Corn
Zea mays subsp. mays
Price: $2.99
SKU: 31400511Choose a variant:
Indian Ornamental
(aka Rainbow)
(aka Rainbow)
Flint / Four Corn
110 days — Although 'Indian Ornamental' corn, also known as 'Rainbow', is a flour corn variety, its beautiful and varied kernel colors have made it popular for drying and for using as ornamental ears for fall season decorations and market sales. The ears range from seven to nine inches in length and are multi-colored.
Although it can be used as roasting or frying ears when young, it is generally used for flour and meal, but can also be used for parching. Each ounce is approximately 100 seeds.
Special Groups: Market Growers
Planting Instructions:
Soil must be at least 65ºF to germinate. Be patient and do not plant too early or you will waste a lot of seed! Plant in full sun and keep it watered. Corn is a wind-pollinated plant. Plant in blocks several rows wide to ensure full ears.
Sow seeds about 1½ to 2½ inch deep, 3 to 4 inches apart, in rows spaced 24 to 30 inches apart. Thin to 6 to 12 inches apart.
Harvest Information:
Pick the ears for dry grain or decoration when the husks are dry and the kernels are hard enough that you cannot make a dent in them with your fingernail. Many people pick the ears too early when kernels are still soft. If this is done they shrivel up and shrink and their beauty is destroyed. They cannot finish maturing once they have been picked.
Even though the ears look dry, there remains moisture deep within the cob. If you were to enclose them in a box, the moisture would cause them to sour and mold. You may let them dry longer on the plants if neither weather nor predators are damaging them. Otherwise hang them up or lay them out in the open until they are completely dry inside.
Sow seeds about 1½ to 2½ inch deep, 3 to 4 inches apart, in rows spaced 24 to 30 inches apart. Thin to 6 to 12 inches apart.
Harvest Information:
Pick the ears for dry grain or decoration when the husks are dry and the kernels are hard enough that you cannot make a dent in them with your fingernail. Many people pick the ears too early when kernels are still soft. If this is done they shrivel up and shrink and their beauty is destroyed. They cannot finish maturing once they have been picked.
Even though the ears look dry, there remains moisture deep within the cob. If you were to enclose them in a box, the moisture would cause them to sour and mold. You may let them dry longer on the plants if neither weather nor predators are damaging them. Otherwise hang them up or lay them out in the open until they are completely dry inside.
Customer Reviews:
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★★★★★ Impressive stuff.
By David Emigh on December 1, 2013
By David Emigh on December 1, 2013
Perfect germ, no pest or disease problems at all. 12' stalks, 2 or 3 very large ears per; stalks a bit spindly, thus wind sensitive, but it was a very wet summer here. Beautiful varicolor kernels exactly as desired. From one sample packet, I have a feed sack full of ears for next year, and I intend to plant it all!
