Ornamental corn: How to Grow, Harvest, Fertilize, and Use Ornamental corn

My Journey Growing Ornamental Corn

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As a gardener, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting plants to add to my garden. This year, I decided to try my hand at growing ornamental corn, also known as Zea mays var. ornamental. In this article, I'll share my experience with growing ornamental corn, from sowing the seeds to harvesting the beautiful blooms.

Sowing the Seeds

I started by sowing the ornamental corn seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost date in my area. I used a good quality potting mix and filled a small seed starting tray with the mix. I planted 2-3 seeds per cell, about 1/4 inch deep, and covered them with a thin layer of the mix. I watered the seeds gently but thoroughly, and then placed the tray in a warm location with indirect light.

Germination and Seedling Care

It took about 7-10 days for the seeds to germinate, and when they did, I carefully transplanted the seedlings into individual pots filled with a well-draining potting mix. I kept the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provided the seedlings with bright, indirect light.

As the seedlings grew, I started to thin them out to about 1 inch apart. This allowed me to give each plant the room it needed to grow and develop its unique characteristics.

Fertilization and Pruning

Once the seedlings had 2-3 sets of leaves, I started to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer. I used a water-soluble fertilizer that was specifically formulated for seedlings, and I followed the instructions on the label for the recommended dosage.

As the plants continued to grow, I started to prune them to encourage bushy growth and more blooms. I removed any weak or spindly growth, and cut back the tallest stalks to about 6 inches from the ground. This helped to promote branching and more flowers.

Support and Staking

As the stalks of the ornamental corn plants grew taller, I started to provide them with support. I used bamboo stakes to stake each plant, and wrapped twine or string around the stalks to secure them in place.

Pest and Disease Management

As the plants grew, I kept a close eye out for any pests or diseases that might affect them. I checked the plants regularly for signs of aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites, and treated them promptly if I saw any.

I also kept an eye out for any signs of fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew or downy mildew. I treated the plants with a fungicide if I saw any signs of disease.

Blooming and Harvesting

After about 90-120 days, the ornamental corn plants started to bloom. The blooms were a beautiful shade of yellow, orange, and red, and they were quite showy. I harvested the blooms by cutting the stalks back to the ground, and then drying them further to preserve them.

Tips and Variations

If you're interested in growing ornamental corn, here are a few tips and variations to keep in mind:

• Make sure to choose a variety that is specifically labeled as "ornamental" or "decorative," as these will be the most suitable for your needs.
• Plant the seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date in your area, and then transplant them outside when the weather is warm.
• Provide the plants with bright, indirect light, and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Fertilize the plants regularly with a balanced fertilizer, and prune them to encourage bushy growth and more blooms.
• Consider using a trellis or other support system to help the plants grow upright and more showy.

Conclusion

Growing ornamental corn has been a wonderful experience for me. The process from sowing the seeds to harvesting the beautiful blooms has been a fun and rewarding journey. With the right care and attention, ornamental corn can be a beautiful and unique addition to any garden. I hope that my experience will be helpful to you, and that you'll have success growing ornamental corn in your own garden.