Sometimes , it can be hard to rationalise making room in the garden for crop that ultimately are mature for aesthetics – rather than their value as eatable harvest .
However , ornamental corn is one of those plants that I always make room for .
I ’m able to free it to my husband – who is n’t bad on plants grow purely for their appearances alone – by explaining that it can be used to feed our pigs and chickens after the growing season ( and fall decoration time of year ! ) has end . Fortunately , he now roll in the hay growing ornamental corn just as much as I do .
This beautiful harvest is one that has been grown in the US for 100 – long before the land was even acknowledge as its own land . Here are some of the skillful uses for ornamental Indian corn – and some tips on how to grow it in your own backyard garden this summer .
What is Ornamental Corn?
Of the 6 different type ofcorn – flour , flint , sweet , waxy , pop , and dent – popcorn is plausibly one of the least commonly grown in the backyard garden . For no effective rationality , though .
Corn is n’t classify by its color but instead by its kernel type . For the most part , all ornamental corn varieties are derived frompop - eccentric corn . These plant produce small capitulum that are ordinarily colourful , hard , and perfect for decorating . Sometimes referred to as Indian corn , ornamental Zea mays is treasure for its decorative value .
Traditionally , ornamental Zea mays was grow for food by Native Americans in both North and South America . Today , it is mostly farm for ornamental aim .
How to Grow Ornamental Corn
1. Varieties to Consider
There are several dissimilar varieties of decorative corn that you might consider spring up in your garden .
Some of the best small - eared types of ornamental corn whiskey include :
If a prominent variety is what you have in judgement , go with Autumn Explosion , Painted Mountain , Autumn Splendor , Green and Gold Dent , or Indian Art . If you design on create your own Zea mays maze , you may want to go with Broom Corn or Maize Corn .
When choose your varieties of maize , keep in mind that ornamental corn , like all other sort of corn , cross - pollinate . Therefore , if you are seed more than one character , you ’ll have to keep a space of 250 - foot or more between cultivars . This will prevent intermingling .
2. Planting
cosmetic corn , like all other corn , should always be grow from seminal fluid . Select disease - resistive seed from a reputable baby’s room .
Plant your seed in well - draining soil . The conditions should be comparatively warm . Plant after the danger of frost has passed . In most places , that ’s sometime around Memorial Day . grease temperatures should be around 55 - 60 ° F .
Seeds should be planted about 1 - 2 - inches mysterious and 8 - 10 - inches asunder . enceinte - eared variety may ask to have their come planted even further aside ( around 10 - 12 - inches , in some cases ) .
If you ’re like me and fight with spacing your seeds when you institute them , you could always plant indiscriminately and then go back and cut the seedlings later on . Either way of life , the run-in should be about 3 - foot asunder .
3. Caring For Corn
irrigate your Indian corn plants profoundly , either once or twice a calendar week or whenever the soil feel dry about an inch below the soil blood . drizzle the soil to the root level .
The best mode to water ornamental corn is to do so from below , ideally by usingdrip irrigation systems . This will foreclose a vast legal age of fungous disease that are often spread by keep foliation too wet .
Some multitude implement herbicides between their row of corn to help keep in line weeds . Personally , I prefermulching heavilyand hoeing between the row to keep Mary Jane at bay . The selection is yours , but whatever you do , be sure to weed carefully around your ornamental corn to prevent rival .
Mulching around your ornamental corn plants is a great path to keep weeds down and to restrained land temperatures , something that ’s vital in areas that are prone to either very hot or very cold turn . Using constitutional mulch , like shredded leaves , compost , or stalk is the best choice , as it will add nutrients to the soil as it better down .
If your soil is already rich andwell - drainingwhen you plant , then chances are you do n’t need to do much in the agency of providing additional fertiliser .
The good manner to fecundate is to add10 - 10 - 10 fertilizeror compost at the clip of planting . However , you may also wish well to fertilise as a side dressing about four weeks after your seeds have germinate . you’re able to proceed to fertilize every four weeks after that .
To do this , just spread a sparse stemma of plant food around the border of your corn ’s rows . Make trusted it ’s about 3 - inch from the base of the plant life to prevent burning the plant .
In most cases , you’re able to foreclose the natural pests and diseases of ornamental corn by following the proper charge and planting road map .
Some of the most common gadfly and disease for ornamental clavus let in corn smut , common rust , aphids , bird , and earworms .
Corn smut is find wherever sweet corn is grown . It produces glazed galls on developing ears , leading to powdery spores that are spread out by the wind . you could prevent it by turn out your crop each time of year and prevent extended period of wetness .
Rustcauses chocolate-brown pustule on leaf surface as well as on ears and tassels . you may prevent it by planting repellent cultivars and providing good air circulation between plant .
Aphids can be tricky . You may involve to use an insect powder , but normally , the best way to control aphids is to spray them off with a clap of the hosepipe . You should be able to see these pests as they feed on your plants and leave alone behind a muggy kernel known as honeydew melon .
Earworms are often controlled only with insecticides , but you could also utilize traps . The eggs of these pests are lay on fresh silk and crosshatch quick , flow on your plant life ’ kernels .
lastly , birds . wench will fertilise on both good and unripened kernels of your plants . Often , you ’ll need to put sack up over your plants to foreclose them from helping themselves to the banquet .
If you want to make the most of your garden infinite , you may have to plant a few fellow traveler plant with your cosmetic corn . Good choice include cucumber , potato , sunflower , pea , squash , and melons .
4. Harvesting
you’re able to harvest your decorative corn by hand after the shuck has dried . you could begin inspecting it for adulthood and ripeness at around 80 - 120 days bet on what kind of maize you are spring up and where you are gardening .
The pinna should be no longer unripe but instead should be colourful , dry , and matured . violate each ear off with a downward twist . will the stubble on the ear to help it to continue to dry . While the Indian corn is drying , verify it is not exposed to brilliant sunshine , as this can fade the ears ’ vibrant colors .
After one calendar week , you could use the corn without the husk . It should last for several months when fully dry .
Uses for Ornamental Corn
1. Decorations
Without a dubiety , using ornamental corn whiskey as a fall decoration is my favorite use for the veg . Purchasing fresh or dried corn whiskey to be used for ornamental purposes is expensive , especially if you want to have enough to decorate your entire property ( both indoors and out ) .
When you grow your own decorative corn , you may use the cobnut in tablescapes , garland , and other ornamentation , and you may also harvest the stalks . Cornstalks , even if you live in an USDA - dominated area as I do , are incredibly expensive . Grow your own , and you ’ll have plenty for all of your decorations .
You might even have some left over that you could sell to admirer and neighbors . For just a few dollars a come mailboat , this is a great way to make a reasonable amount of money without having tospenda mickle of money in rejoinder .
2. Food Source
Although odorous corn whisky is undoubtedly going to taste much well on your dinner plate than ornamental corn , you may always sample it in a jot . They are often ground into Indian meal and can be eaten in corn chips , tacos , and other dishes that involve this ingredient .
3. Animal Feed
Ornamental corn also serves as a wonderful food source for all kinds of animals . In the late fall , you’re able to feed it to wildlife like raccoons , deer , and birds – or you’re able to feast it to your livestock . Any animal that eats corn ( like pigs and chicken ) can be feed ornamental corn as a supplement to its veritable dieting .
Grow Ornamental Corn This Summer for Endless Autumn Beauty
Ornamental corn is one of those plants that always makes the top of my inclination when it comes to planting a twilight garden . It ’s right on up there with pumpkins and gourd . Not only does growing ornamental maize sum a cracking spate of seasonal peach to my declension porch ornamentation , but it also makes a fantastic and nutritious informant of food for thought for my livestock after Thanksgiving has decease .
If you have n’t started grow ornamental corn in your garden yet , there are plenty of reason to give it a try . Consider supply it to your list of thing to plant this summer – commit me , you ’ll be thanking yourself add up nightfall !
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