Purple corn is also known as Indian corn. Grown for decorative purposes only, the genetic makeup of Indian corn gives its purple, white, yellow or multicolor kernels on one ear of corn that can be further impacted with cross pollination. Use the cob of purple corn, along with the attached dried husk, to make door wreaths, table centerpieces and other autumn crafts. Grow purple corn in the same manner as sweet corn.
PLANTING
Plant in full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight). Corn plants are picky about their soil. It should be well-draining yet consistently moist, as corn tends to suck up a lot of water. Ideally, aged manure or compost should be worked into the soil in the fall. If that’s not possible to do, simply mix in aged compost prior to planting.
– To speed germination, moisten seeds, wrap in moist paper towels, and store in a plastic bag for 24 hours.
– Sow seeds about 1½ to 2 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart in short, side-by-side rows to form a block, rather than one long row.
– For decent pollination, we recommend a modest block of, say, 10 to 50 plants.
– You may choose to fertilize at planting time with a 10-10-10 fertilizer; corn is meant to grow rapidly. If you are confident that the soil is adequate, this step can be skipped.
– Water well at planting time.
GROWING
– When the young corn plants are about 4 inches tall, thin them so that they are 12 to 18 inches apart for short varieties and 18 to 24 inches apart for tall varieties.
– Be careful not to damage corns’ roots when weeding around the plants.
– Keep corn well watered, as it has shallow roots and can become stressed by drought. About 2 inches of water per week is sufficient; water more if conditions are especially hot or if your soil is sandy. If the soil remains dry, soak the soil again.
– Side-dress plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer when corn is 8 inches tall. Repeat when it is knee high (18 inches).
– Mulch helps to reduce evaporation around the plants.
– To keep stalks standing straight during high winds, mound soil around the base of 12-inch-tall plants.
– Wind pollination is critical to develop full cobs of kernels. To help this along, gently shake the the stalks of the plants every few days for as long as the tassels are viable to increase the chances of every silk being pollinated. Mornings are best.
HARVESTING
Harvest the corn when the kernels are firm and the silky strings from the end of the ear have turned brown, which can take up to 110 days. To check the kernel firmness, pull the husk back from the silk end and press your thumb nail into a kernel. The kernel should not collapse or seep like sweet corn will when it’s ready for picking. Break or cut the cob from the stalk, keeping an inch or two of the stem for use in decorative applications, such as securing several ears at the stem for hanging from the door. To break a cob off the stalk, with the corn ear in hand, push down and twist at the same time.
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Video source: EY – Gardening
