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Arizona Gardening

Corn Varieties

15 years ago

Last year I grew a wonderful corn crop only to discover the kernels were yellow, hard and waxy. What we used to call cow corn.

Can you suggest a variety that handles the AZ heat and has edible ears of fresh corn???

Am thinking of using a 3 sisters configuration if that matters.

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Comments (5)

nullzero
15 years ago
Here is some varieties to look into for AZ. They are all corns cultivated by the southwest and mexico region native American tribes. I think your best bet is the Black Aztec Corn.

BLACK AZTEC CORN. Grown originally by the ancient Aztecs 2,000 years ago, this truly revered corn is drought tolerant, delicious and well worth growing in today's modern garden. The medium-sized ears have an old fashioned first class sweet corn taste in the white or "milk" stage and the ears will turn a deep jet black when fully mature for drying at which point it is ground for flour. Black Aztec is a link with the distant past when it was the mainstay of a whole civilization. 85 days.

HOPI BLUE CORN. Heirloom Blue Corn of the Hopi Indians, original strain, very ornamental but can also be ground for flour. 110 days.

SMOKE SIGNALS POP CORN is an American native heirloom that produces 4"-7" multi-colored ears on 8' stalks. The popcorn is tender and delicious and these are also nice decoratives. 100 days.

*descriptions taken from www.cherrygal.com*
sownsow
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks for the follow up. what a great source for heirloom seeds! happy diggings...
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aztreelvr
15 years ago
Here's a link to a great article on growing sweet corn in Arizona. Several varieties are mentioned as well as tips on soil preparation and pests.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Sweet Corn
sownsow
Original Author
15 years ago
The link to Growing Sweet Corn was also very helpful..
I have decided to go with.
Early Sunglow
Sliver Queen
and
Peaches & Cream.
All normal hybrids (su).

Question One: is it ok to grow all three in the same area. (cross pollinization issues?)
The seed bag says to plant above 55 or 65 degrees soil temp. Is that now or later? Should I start seeds indoors and transplant?

Thanks for all the advice..
wrayn2002_yahoo_com
12 years ago
I hope you didn't get a horrific bust on those corn varieties! With recent droughts & hot weather, about the best-looking corn stalks I have are the Hopi blue corn & another arid-climate corn I got seed for.

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