10 Rainbow Corn Quick Facts for the Home Gardener

Glass gem corn, another name for rainbow corn, is a vibrant maize with seeds that may produce numerous color and pattern combinations. Until the husk is removed, even the most skilled farmer won't be able to tell how the corn looks.

When a picture of the shimmering cob was uploaded to social media in 2012, the vibrant crop instantly went viral online. Home gardeners soon started cultivating the produce in their own backyards. Even a novice home gardener might benefit from knowing these 10 fast facts about rainbow maize, despite reports that it is simple to grow.

#1: Non-Invasive

A farmer from Oklahoma named Carl Barnes decided to cultivate ancient types of local maize in an effort to rekindle his relationship with his Cherokee ancestry. The ancestral strains that Barnes was able to separate later gave rise to the well-known rainbow corn harvest. This native crop will not take over the garden.

#2: Quite Tall

The Poaceae family includes the Glass Gem Corn, and contrary to common assumption, the kernels are not genetically modified; rather, they are generated through selective breeding by combining old corn varieties with open pollination methods. They take over 120 days to mature from planting to harvest. Similar to a juvenile coconut tree, the crops have a 6- to 9-foot maximum height.

#3: Sun Lover

Vitamin D from the sun is essential for the rainbow corn's growth. As a result, choose a part of the garden for the rainbow corn crops that will receive plenty of sunlight.

#4: Watering Needs

Only once a week is required to water the colorful crop. The best method is to poke a wooden stick into the ground; this should reveal that the soil is 1 inch moist.

#5: Good Neighbor

Plants including melons, marigolds, cucumbers, thyme, winter squash, and beans can be planted next to the crop because they are compatible with rainbow corn.

#6: Needs Fertilizers

The ones that are organic are more advised because they gently release more nutrients into the soil, enabling the plant to absorb them and develop in accordance. They will therefore have a plentiful flavor.

#7: Wind Defense

Winds can be corn's worst enemy; therefore, it's critical to set up a system to protect them. Planting wooden poles near the crops in the garden's corners is a simple do-it-yourself tip.

#8: Use Gloves

The ideal instrument for extracting the kernels is a corn sheller, but put on gloves first. Because the kernels are difficult to pull, the sheller can cause injury to the home gardener's hands and knuckles, as per The Dirt Doctors.

#9: Good for Cornmeal

It is not advised to consume the kernels fresh because they have an exterior covering that mimics their chewy texture. Because of its hard outer coating, this particular variety of flint corn is best consumed after being ground into cornmeal, says Better Homes and Gardens.

#10: Ordinary White Popcorn

It can be used to create popcorn as well, although the finished product is not rainbow-colored. The maize is gathered for this purpose when it is dried and brown. For kernels to pop when heated, they must have a low moisture content, according to Science Alert.