Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade'
Maize
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Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Description
The first sweet corn was obtained from the Iroquois in New York state over 200 years ago, and it was "black"--actually a very deep blue/purple like this amazing variety. Corn 'Dwarf Blue Jade' has other traits of ancient corn varieties, such as it's really and truly a dwarf, only half the size of Golden Bantam at about 2-1/2 feet tall. Each stalk produces many ears, typically 2 or 3 large ones and 3 or 4 smaller ones. The biggest of these are smaller than normal, only 4-5" inches long, with 8 to 12 rows of kernels. Harvest the corn at the white stage when it is most tender, or let it mature to bright purple (which will take around 90 days). If you cook it then, the kernels turn to a jade green.
Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Blooming
Corn plants have separate male and female flowers that are called tassels and silks, respectively. The 2 types of flowers are borne on the same plant (with the male flowers at the apex of the stalk and the female flowers situated halfway from the top). Corn is not grown for its flowers, however. The resulting fruits develop underneath husks on what is called ears of corn.
Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Growth
Corns thrive in heat and full sun. There are some cultivars of corn that do not have a high heat requirement. Corn can be grown year round in climates that are warm year round (for example Hawaii). In cooler climates the plants can be propagated around 2 weeks after threat of the last frost.
Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Planting
Sweet corn requires substantial space to grow. Plant the seeds in rows that are 3' apart. Baby corn requires less room when planting. They need roughly 4" of space in between seedlings. Organize the corn plants in several rows as opposed to a single row. This will provide for better pollination and therefore fuller ears of corn. It is important not to plant ornamental corn or popcorn close to sweet corn. Cross pollination can affect the taste of the sweet corn.
Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Pest
Corn plants are susceptible to many different pests, but the primary insect pest is the corn earworm. Many growers can come to expect that the tips of their ears of corn will have some damage. There is a way to help prevent herbivory damage. One week after the silks emerge put 2 drops of mineral oil at the tips of each ear where the silk is emerging. This helps to keep the corn earworm in check and will prevent and infestation. Unfortunately, this should be done with every ear of corn, which can be exceedingly tedious.
Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Interesting facts
In the 1998 movie, The X-Files, FBI agents Mulder and Scully come across a field of corn where the pollen from the corn is infused with an alien virus. The pollen from the corn is then picked up by masses of bees, which are then used to spread the virus. Unfortunately for the makers of the movie, corn is a grass and like all grasses is pollinated by the wind. Corn does not offer any nectar for insect pollination and bees would not have any affinity for corn. It is true that corn plants are prolific pollen producers; however, the pollen is primarily carried by the wind. Assuming that the alien virus actually existed, using a bee/corn symbiosis to propagate the disease causing agent would not be feasible.
Maize (Zea mays 'Dwarf Blue Jade') - Soil and irrigation
Corn can survive in most soil types, but does best in rich and deep soils. Provide regular water, but especially when the tassels emerge and then again when the silks emerge. These irrigation events need to be deep and thorough enough to wet the entire root zone.
