I'm surprised the Jala did not do well in a 7B zone. Out of all the tropicals, it seems to be the most prolific as far as ears/kernels go. Another one that I just found this year is an Olotillo-Tuxpeno that produced ears on almost every plant, even ones that were 20 feet tall. Ears are shorter than Jala, but they have a large circumference. The Olotillo-Tuxpeno plants produced many strange deformed ears. I had one plant produce 9 ears from one location, and a couple plants producing ear like structures near the tassels. 9 ears from one location on an Olotillo-Tuxpeno maize plant ears near the tassel on an Olotillo-Tuxpeno maize plant. I found this on several plants. Olotillo is a bit harder to produce viable ears than Jala or Olotillo-Tuxpeno, but I'm still capable of producing some in my area. I tried my hand at a race called Gallina this year. I was able to produce a few dozen kernels. I would have had many more, but we had an early frost. I also tried another race named Uchima, but the ears were undeveloped by frost. That variety produces plants around 19 to almost 21 feet. on my first try. I'm going to try them a little earlier next year and I should have ears. Now a variety that has been a disaster for me has been Montana. I've never been able to get viable ears with that variety, but this year I was close to getting one. Above the ruler are Jala ears. Below the ruler on the bottom left are Olotillo ears (maroon colored), and bottom right are Olotillo-Tuxpeno ears which have a larger circumference. Inca giant? You mean Cuzco Gigante (the one with the nickel sized kernels)? That one was a disaster for me. There are some varieties that are very indolent in my area. That is one of them! Another one that I don't do well with is Oloton. I can always tell because you don't get straight stalks, and they tend to be more brittle. Do you know the name of your local corn that gets really tall?

I also have burgundy amaranth if you want some of that too. I've never grown any I just got the seeds from a friend but apparently they can self seed like crazy where I am so I've got more than enough to share!

Glenn - from what I read, they germinate in the lower-to-mid 60s, which is in line with them sprouting up in the fields in the early spring in SC. Here, I'd think you'd plant them when you plant your late winter/early spring greens. I'm going to try winter sowing them, since they're basically a weed, and seem to self-seed pretty easily in the wild. Barb, that would be great! I'd like to try those. I've been making callaloo with tender Xanthasoma and Taro leaves, but it just isn't the same.

Pull them before they seed! It could be Amaranthus hybridus http://missouriplants.com/Amaranthus_hybridus_page.html